Vermont Business Magazine The American Lung Association Research Institute announced today it awarded $13.6 million in research grants to fund 129 innovative projects to advance today’s science to end lung disease tomorrow. Among the awardees is Katherine Menson, DO, with the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, studying accelerated pulmonary rehabilitation in the preoperative period for lung cancer patients. The grant is for $47,500 for FY24 with the opportunity to renew in FY25.
“We are honored to welcome this year’s awardees to the elite American Lung Association Research Institute and our efforts to fundamentally transform lung health here and across the nation,” said Trevor Summerfield, Director of Advocacy at the Lung Association. “Our research investment is key to unlocking solutions to alleviate the burden of lung disease. The Lung Association’s Awards and Grants Program promotes innovative research, collaboration, translation of discoveries, and scientific exchange to transform today’s science into tomorrow’s solutions. Because when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.”
Lung research is critical because over 144,000 people in Vermont are living with lung disease and each year, millions more are impacted by respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and influenza. Through the Awards and Grants Program, the Lung Association supports trailblazing research, novel ideas and innovative approaches. The funded researchers investigate a wide range of lung health topics, including asthma, COPD, lung cancer, COVID-19 and other infectious lung diseases.
Dr. Menson, a resident of Burlington Vermont, said, “Surgical resection is one of the critical aspects of lung cancer survival, yet those who smoke remain at higher risk for post-operative morbidity and mortality. Identifying novel strategies to aid in smoking cessation and prevent surgical complications is imperative to addressing outcome disparities of this disease. I am thankful for the tireless effort of the ALA in supporting innovative ways to beat lung cancer." You can read more about her project here.
This year, awards were given in different categories addressing many aspects of lung disease; ALA/AAAAI Allergic Respiratory Diseases Award, ALA/ATS/CHEST Foundation Respiratory Health Equity Research Award, Catalyst Award, COVID-19 Respiratory Virus Research Award, Dalsemer Award, Innovation Award and Lung Cancer Discovery Award. Research projects funded by the Lung Association are carefully selected through rigorous scientific peer review and awardees investigate a wide range of complex issues.
The Lung Association’s Research Institute includes the Awards and Grants program, and also the Airways Clinical Research Network, the nation's largest not-for-profit network of clinical research centers dedicated to asthma and COPD treatment research. The Lung Association is currently accepting applications for its 2024-2025 research awards and grants cycle. For more information about the active research funding opportunities, visit Lung.org/awards.
For more information about the new grant awardees and the entire American Lung Association Research Team, visit Lung.org/research-team.
Media Resources
- Media b-roll is available here: Broll: ALA Research Team.mp4 | Powered by Box
- American Lung Association logos and other media resources are available at Lung.org/media
- Downloadable Researcher Headshots
About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events.
Source: Williston – (October 26, 2023) – The American Lung Association Research Institute
