Catalyst Research Awards
The Catalyst Translational Research Awards program fosters innovation, collaboration, and translational research projects among QSI RENU faculty in the schools of engineering and medicine. It is expected that the proposed research will have a high impact on patients regarding restoring, augmenting, or preserving tissue or organ function.
At least one engineering and one clinical faculty member must be co-PIs. The awards, up to $75,000 each, have a duration of 18 months. Awardees must present progress updates at 6 and 12 months post-award, as well as a final report at the end of the award period.
Application Deadline: Applications are currently closed. The next application cycle will be announced in summer or fall of 2026.
Past Winners
2026
Direct Delivery of Oxygen via the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) by a Catalytic External Ventricular Drain (EVD) System in CNS Injuries or Stroke
Co-PIs: Christopher Ahuja and Jonathan Rivnay
Vitamin D Polymersome Delivery Renders Discarded Livers Transplantable
Co-PIs: Jacqueline Burke and Daniel Borja-Cacho
Synthetic Melanins in Skin Healing and Regeneration
Co-PIs: Nathan Gianneschi and Kurt Lu
Engineering an Off-the-Shelf Mitochondria Therapeutic for AAA
Co-PIs: Bin Jiang and Mark Eskandari
Monitoring Skin Health: Dermatological Electrical Impedance Profiler (DEIP)
Co-PIs: Matthew Grayson and Kurt Lu
Co-PIs: Guillermo Ameer and Angelo Tanna