Pilot Awardees
See our awardees' Impact in the News
2025 - 2026
Study Team
PI: Lobna Elkhadragy, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago
Co-Is:
Ron Gaba, MD, Professor and Section Head, Department of Radiology, University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago
Grace Guzman, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago
Project Summary
Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of cancer. Despite advances in precision medicine, progress for HCC has been limited. Most current treatments take a “one-size-fits-all” approach, failing to reflect the real-life complexity and diversity of liver tumors—leaving many patients without effective options.
This project addresses a critical barrier in the search for better treatments: the lack of research models that accurately represent the genetic makeup of human liver cancer. By developing new, genetically-defined models of HCC, this work will give scientists and clinicians better tools to understand how the disease develops and how to treat it more effectively.
If successful, these more efficient approaches can speed the discovery of new treatments across multiple diseases.
Study Team
PI: Brian Layden, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago
Co-I: Ayis Pyrros, MD, Neuroradiologist, Chair of Radiology Informatics Committee, UI Health
Project Summary
Many people at risk for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease go undiagnosed until the disease is advanced—especially in communities with limited access to routine care. This delay can lead to serious, preventable health complications.
This project uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze chest X-rays—images already taken for other reasons—to identify at-risk individuals sooner. The research team will train an AI model to recognize patterns that indicate a high risk for disease, then check its accuracy across different patient groups.
This technology could be used in hospitals and clinics to improve early detection, guide timely treatment, and prevent life-threatening outcomes. Ultimately, it has the potential to make healthcare smarter, more efficient, and more accessible—improving lives while easing the burden on the healthcare system.
Study Team
PI: Tejabhiram Yadavalli, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine
Co-I:
Pooja Bhat, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago
Project Summary
Eye infections caused by herpes viruses can lead to serious vision problems if not treated effectively. Currently, treatment often requires expensive, specially prepared antiviral medications that aren’t covered by insurance or Medicare. This creates major barriers for older adults and people with limited financial resources.
This project aims to change that by developing a new, affordable treatment that delivers antiviral medication slowly and steadily over time by using tiny, biodegradable particles called microspheres. Made from a safe, FDA-approved material, microspheres can carry drugs like acyclovir and ganciclovir directly into the eye, reducing the need for frequent dosing and lowering overall treatment costs.
If successful, this treatment could provide longer-lasting relief from herpes-induced eye infections, lower the risk of recurrence, and enhance patients’ quality of life by preserving better vision. In addition, its cost-effectiveness may make it eligible for coverage by insurance companies and Medicare, expanding access to care for many Americans.
Study Team
PI: Chang Liu, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, UIC College of Applied Health Sciences
Co-I: Lucinda Williamson, PhD, Bridge to Faculty Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Biomedical Engineering, UIC Colleges of Engineering and Medicine
Project Summary
Mobility loss affects nearly one in three older adults in the U.S., especially those living with neurological conditions. Walking safely depends on how well the brain plans and adjusts movements in real time. This research team developed Mobile Brain-Body Imaging (MOBI), a tool that measures brain activity during walking using wearable sensors and EEG (electroencephalogram) technology, which can help detect early signs of mobility decline before it leads to serious health issues.
However, the current version of MOBI still has limitations. It does not perform well with certain hair types, requires expert technicians and requires significant amounts of time to collect and process data. Pilot funding will be used to design better electrodes using 3D printing, as well as improve signal quality and data processing.
In the long run, more efficient MOBI testing can aid studies on diseases that affect movement. Data processing tools will be made available to the public and added to EEGLAB, a popular research software platform. Ideally, these positive outcomes will promote the widespread use of EEG and its application as a clinical tool for various research purposes.
Study Team
PI: Mohammad Fazle Alam, PhD, Research Scientist, Bioprinting, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford
Co-Is:
Xuejun Li, PhD, Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford
Gitika Thakur, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford
Project Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects more than 7 million people in the U.S. and over 47 million worldwide, with numbers expected to rise as the population ages. It causes memory loss, cognitive decline, and dementia, gradually taking away a person’s independence. Despite decades of research, there is still no cure—current treatments only ease symptoms.
This project aims to change that by creating a highly realistic laboratory model of the Alzheimer’s-affected brain using cutting-edge 3D bioprinting technology. By mimicking the structure and behavior of human brain tissue, this model will allow scientists to study how Alzheimer’s develops and test promising new treatments in a more accurate and human-relevant way. A key goal is to design a flexible brain-like material that supports the growth of human neural tissue and reflects the biological changes seen in Alzheimer’s.
If successful, this project will establish a robust ex vivo model of Alzheimer’s disease and a platform for advanced therapeutic care to speed the development of new treatments.
2024 - 2026 Pilot Project Awardees
Study Team
PI: Fady Charbel, MD, Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, UIC College of Medicine
Collaborators: Jennifer Lim, MD, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UIC College of Medicine; Xincheng Yao, PhD, Richard & Loan Hill Chair in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, UIC College of Medicine; Syed Khalid, MD, Resident Physician, Department of Neurological Surgery, UIC College of Medicine
Study Team
PI: Hananeh Esmailbeigi, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, UIC College of Engineering
Collaborators: James Patton, PhD, Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, UIC College of Engineering; Edna Babbitt, PhD, Research Speech-Language Pathologist, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Research Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Leila Ahmadian, DDS, Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, UIC College of Dentistry
Study Team
PI: Katherine Merrill, PhD, Assistant Professor, Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science, Department of Medicine, UIC College of Medicine
Collaborators: Sarah Messmer, MD, Assistant Professor, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, UIC College of Medicine; Susana Salgado, Centro Romero; Angela Sedeno, Expanded Mental Health Services of Chicago; Vanessa Melgoza, Corazon Community Services; Meghan Morgan, Girls in the Game; David Flynn, Center for Healing and Justice through Sport
Study Team
PI: Neelu Puri, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Science, UIC College of Medicine Rockford
Collaborators: Odile David, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, UIC College of Medicine; Robert Hillwig, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Health Sciences Education, UIC College of Medicine; Mohammed Alam, PhD, Research Scientist, Department of Biomedical Sciences, UIC College of Medicine-Rockford; Bhavin Patel, Senior R&D Manager, Mass Spectrometry Reagents, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Weihai Zhan, PhD, Biostatistician, Office of Research, UIC College of Medicine-Rockford
Study Team
PI: Michael Ragozzino, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychology, UIC College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Collaborators: Jun Sun, PhD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Micrbiology and Immunology, UIC College of Medicine; Beatriz Penalver Bernabe, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, UI College of Medicine; Pauline Maki, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychology, UIC College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Study Team
PI: Sekhar Reddy, PhD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UIC College of Medicine
Collaborators: Steven Garzon, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, UIC College of Medicine; Carlos Murga-Zamalloa, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, UIC College of Medicine
Study Team
PI: Mohan Zalake, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences, UIC College of Applied Health Sciences
Collaborators: Sobia Bilal, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, UIC College of Dentistry; Nikita Soni, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, UIC College of Engineering; David Avenetti, DDS, MSD, MPH, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, UIC College of Dentistry; Amy Slep, PhD, Professor, Center for Oral Health Policy and Management, New York University College of Den
2023-2024
Study Team
PI: Abigail Elmes, PharmD, Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy
Co-Investigators: Antonio Jimenez, Jordan Vold, Jennifer Jarrett, Sarah Messmer, and Niranjan Karnik
Study Team
PI: Marwah Farooqui, MD, Assistant Professor, College of Medicine
Co-Investigators: Lewis Hsu, Gelila Goba
Study Team
PI: Mary Khetani, ScD, Professor, College of Applied Health Sciences
Co-Investigators: Julie Thompson Bobitt
Study Team
Co-PIs: Randi Singer, PhD, CNM, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing and Natasha Crooks, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing
Co-Investigators: Geri Donenberg, Karen Cotler
2023 - 2025
Study Team
PI: Guy Adami, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry
Co-Investigators: Zhengjia Chen, Nicholas Callahan, and Joel Schwartz
Study Team
PI: Alice Hemenway, PharmD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Illinois College of Pharmacy Rockford
Co-Investigator: Mark Biagi
Study Team
PI: Liang Hong, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago
Study Team
PI: Julie Maslowsky, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Public Health
Co-Investigator: Karen Bernstein and Jonathan Klein
Study Team
PI: Ece Mutlu, MD, MBA, Professor of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago
Co-Investigator: Pradeep Dudeja
Study Team
PI: David Tofovic, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago
Co-Investigator: Dawood Darbar, Hua Yun Chen, Brenikki Floyd, Jalees Rehman, and Salman Khetani