The Doris Duke Foundation (DDF) has announced funding totaling $7.92 million in support of physician scientists working to advance human health.

Awarded to 21 scientists as fellowships and multiyear grants through a rigorous peer review process, the funding will support opportunities for mentored research and time protection to early-career physician scientists. Recipients include Deepshikha Ashana (Duke University), whose research envisions a trauma-informed intensive care unit; Jennifer Gill (UT Southwestern Medical Center), for a project investigating human tumor metabolism in vivo to predict melanoma metastasis and therapy response; Stephen McCartney (University of Washington School of Medicine), who will investigate metabolic factors on innate lymphoid cell function in preeclampsia; Atalie Carina Thompson (Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center), who will research screening and care pathway in frail older adults at risk of falls; and Sharine Wittkopp (NYU Langone Health), for research into glycemic and cardiometabolic biomarker improvements associated with reduction in air pollution exposure.

“This year’s awardees are addressing critical issues that are impacting the health of patients across the United States and beyond,” said DDF director for medical research Sindy Escobar Alvarez. “We are proud to support their important contributions, and we cannot wait to see what this group of physician scientists will accomplish.”

For a complete list of recipients, see the Doris Duke Foundation website.

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