The Blasker-Rose-Miah Fund was established to nurture and develop unique and innovative discoveries and experiences which may be of benefit to all mankind, and to support and encourage individuals with high potential in the scientific, engineering, and medical fields to reach their full potential in their chosen areas of study, work, and analysis.
Total Amount Funded in 2011: $524,150
Yupeng Chen, Ph.D.
$55,000
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
A Novel Epigenetic Pathway to Control p21 Splicing and Cancer Cell Survival
Grant Purpose: To characterize the mechanism of a newly discovered step in p21 protein expression, and identify other proteins needed for p21 regulation, to protect cells against normal DNA damage or chemotherapy. This research could greatly enhance the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapy for leukemia, colon cancer, and other types of cancer.
Bartosz Balana, Ph.D.
$55,000
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
The Role of SNX27 in Drug Addiction
Grant Purpose: To clarify the function of sorting nexin 27 (SNX27) in the pathophysiology of drug addiction. This research can establish SNX27 as the novel drug target for therapy of methamphetamine and cocaine addiction, an outcome that may stimulate foundation of a biotech company searching for a SNX27 inhibitor for the therapy of drug addiction.
Kazuki Sugahara, M.D., Ph.D.
$75,000
Sanford-Burnham Medical Research
Improved Chemotherapy for Pperitoneal Cancer Metastasis
Grant Purpose: To facilitate the detection of peritoneal cancer metastases and enhance drug delivery into the peritoneal tumors with a novel tumor penetrating peptide. This research can improve current surgical treatments for abdominal cancers and enhance the accumulation of drugs administered in the abdominal cavity to more effectively target tumors.
Ali Torkamani, Ph.D.
$42,000
Scripps Translational Science Institute
Personalized Targets for Colorectal Cancer Therapy
Grant Purpose: To identify potential drug targets for the development of personalized colorectal cancer treatments by pinpointing the biological pathways and molecular targets that specifically destroy or inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer tumor cells with commonly observed mutational profiles. This research will help to identify canditate drug targets for genetically informed therapeutic intervention in colorectal cancer.
James Day, Ph.D.
$61,950
University of California, San Diego
The Origin and Significance of Ultra-refractory Mantle Domains in Earth
Grant Purpose: This project will generate observations of ancient ages preserved in the oceanic mantle, by employing state-of-the art isotopic, geochemical and petrological techniques on mantle xenoliths (foreign rock fragments) incorporated within lavas from the Canary Islands. Understanding the timing of origin and causes of such 'ultra-refractory mantle’ is critical for developing realistic models of mantle convection and melting processes in Earth.
James Gregory, Ph.D.
$69,284
University of California, San Diego
The Development of Edible Vaccines for Malaria and Other Pathogens Using Green Algae
Grant Purpose: To develop the tools and methodology to allow production of edible malarial vaccines using algal chloroplasts. An edible vaccine will eliminate the need for cold storage and administration by injection, thus drastically reducing costs and increasing safety of vaccine delivery, with applications to other human pathogens.
James Wilhelm. Ph.D.
$55,000
University of California, San Diego
The role of novel cytoskeletal filaments in axon formation and neuronal function
Grant Purpose: To define the role of cytoskeletal filaments in neurons in order to understand how their misregulation contributes to neurodegenerative diseases. This research will provide new insights into existing diseases and provide novel routes to therapeutic intervention.
Fabian Zanella de Sa, Ph.D.
$75,000
University of California, San Diego
A Human Cardiac Model System to Study Gene Mutations/Deficiencies Associated with Heart Disease
Grant Purpose: To improve heart health of San Diegans by modelling the genetic heart muscle cell-cell junction disease, Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), using stem cells from healthy populations and those that harbor the genetic defects associated with the disease. This research will help uncover diagnostic markers for ARVC,to be exploited to screen for better drugs and therapies to manager heart diseases, such as ARVC.
Eben Goodale, Ph.D.
$35,916
University of San Diego
How Social Bees Respond to Information about Predation in San Diego County: teaching science through research on critical pollinators
Grant Purpose: To understand how social bees, important but declining pollinators in San Diego County, use the olfactory information other bee species deposit on flowers to gather information about predators. This research could be useful to farmers who use bees for their pollination services and provide a stronger economic justification for native bee conservation efforts.