Pitt Pediatrics congratulates Glenn Rapsinski, MD, PhD for recently being awarded with Phase 2 project funding from the Pitt Un-Challenge (PUnCh) program at the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Multidisciplinary Innovations. Rapsinski is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in our Division of Infectious Diseases and was part of our Pediatric Scientist Development Program during his residency and fellowship training. 
The PUnCh program is designed to shift from the traditional structure of project funding by being designed to fund the unconventional, the uncharted, and the unprecedented ideas across all disciplines. The funding program works across two phases, initially offering up to $25,000 for six months to prove whether any project idea is worth continued funding. Following that, phase two offers up to $100,000 for a year to develop the project into a more fully formed radical reality.
Rapsinski’s work through Phase 1 was highly recognized, easily allowing him to move forward into Phase 2. His award period will be from May of this year until January 31, 2027.
We look forward to seeing the progress of Rapsinski’s work over the course of this year. Join us in congratulating him on this great accomplishment. And follow Pitt Pediatrics on Bluesky for future updates on faculty research, funding, and other grants and awards.