Newswise — Edison, NJ - March 5, 2025 - Hackensack Meridian Health has been awarded 25 grants totaling more than $1.1 million from the New Jersey Health Foundation (NJHF) for important research and community health projects.
The grants support work across the state’s largest and most comprehensive health network, spanning not only the Hackensack Meridian Health Research Institute (HMHRI) and clinical and basic research, but also the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM), and a multitude of sites across the Garden State.
“This remarkable level of funding from the New Jersey Health Foundation underscores the innovative and impactful research being conducted across our network,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “These grants will fuel critical advancements in patient care and contribute to a healthier future for the communities we serve.”
Among the areas supported by the grants: cancer, infectious disease, community health, artificial intelligence, education, sleep, and immunology, among other topics.
The amount for Hackensack Meridian Health and the Hackensack Meridian Health Research Institute increased from 22 grants and $915,202 last year, and 16 grants totaling $486,876 the year before that.
“We value our great partnership with the New Jersey Health Foundation,” said Ihor Sawczuk, M.D., FACS, the president of Academics, Research and Innovation for Hackensack Meridian Health, and the founding chair of the Hackensack Meridian Health Research Institute. “Our outstanding work is made possible with their help.”
"We are so grateful to the New Jersey Health Foundation for their support," said Joyce P. Hendricks, president and chief development officer of Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation. "It is such a critical factor in projects that promise to forge a healthier future for all our communities."
“We are proud to support Hackensack Meridian Health and its many groundbreaking projects,” said George F. Heinrich, M.D., vice chair & CEO of New Jersey Health Foundation. “These and other projects we have supported in the past are a down payment on a brighter future.”
Based in Princeton, the New Jersey Health Foundation fosters a culture of innovation in New Jersey by supporting research to cure diseases and find solutions to health-related needs.​ It also supports donor-specified research and educational programs through the management of an endowment portfolio.
Fifteen of the 25 grant recipients are also faculty members of the HMSOM, which boasts experts from across the entire health network. Sixteen of the grant recipients are on faculty of the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI).
GrantsDavid Perlin, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI, HMSOM
“An AI-based Cell-Free DNA Platform for Colorectal and Breast Cancer Early Detection”
Faiz Bhora, M.D.
$35,000
CDI, JFK University Medical Center (JFKUMC), HMSOM
“Artificial Intelligence-driven Precision Lung Surgery for Better and Safer Patient Outcomes”
Byungwoo Ryu, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI, HMSOM
“Developing Functionally Enhanced CAR-NK Cells for Solid Cancer Treatment”
Madhuvika Murugan, Ph.D.
$35,000
CDI
“Empowering New Jersey Students: Pathways to Healthcare and Medical Sciences”
Brian Jankowitz, M.D.
$35,000
JFKUMC
“Enhancing Patient-Care Team Integration and Reducing Recurrent Stroke Burden with a Proprietary Clinical Data Integration System and Novel Follow-up Program”
Jyothi Nagajyothi, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI, HMSOM
“Exploring the Prognostic Potential of Circulating Adipomes in Breast Cancer”
Alvin Makohon-Moore, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI, HMSOM
“Genetic heterogeneity of single-cell cancer clones during experimental evolution to enhance treatment response”
Alexandria Berns, PharmD
$35,000
Ocean University Medical Center
“Impact of Multidisciplinary Transition of Care Clinic on Readmission Rates for University Hospital”
Milena Kordalewska, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI, HMSOM
“Impact of sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibition of Candida auris echinocandin susceptibility”
Vijeta Sharma, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI
“Investigating high-threat RSV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infections and potential therapeutic interventions in a murine model”
Ching-Wen Chang, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI
“Investigation of broad-spectrum antivirals against human coronaviruses”
Abraham Aragones, M.D.
$35,000
CDI
“Leveraging a Community Outreach and Engagement Program to Reduce Vaccination Hesitancy Associated with Online Health Mis- and Dis-information”
Ying Wang, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI
“Manipulating T cell mitochondrial calcium uniporter to suppress graft-versus-host disease”
Stanley R. Terlecky, Ph.D.
$35,000
HMSOM
“Med Science on the Go”
Kevin Tong, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI, HMSOM
“Molecular Determinants and Treatment of Early-Onset Colon Cancer”
Abdeldjalil Madani, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI
“Optimizing a Promising Lead for Development of Pan-respiratory Antivirals”
Jacob Hascalovici, M.D., Ph.D.
$35,000
Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), HMSOM
“Optimizing Chronic Pain Management Through Remote Monitoring”
Susan Mautone, M.D.
$35,000
HUMC, HMSOM
“Preventing Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction: Once Class at a Time”
Marwa Khalil, M.D.
$49,998
HUMC, HMSOM
“Profiling of Exhaled Breath Condensate (EBC) extracellular vesicles (EVs) in neonatal Pulmonary Pathologies”
Nadine Alvarez, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI
“Rapid Identification of Novel Antivirals against Mpox Virus”
Biren Bhatt, M.D.
$50,000
HUMC, HMSOM
“Reducing Emergency Department Opioid Administration Through Better Pain Management: Evaluating Whether Higher Doses of Intravenous Ketorolac are Effective in Patients with Suspect Renal Colic”
Mohammed Quadri, M.D.
$50,000
HMHRI, HMSOM
“RISE - Real-time Indication of Sleepiness Evaluation”
Sivia Lapidus, M.D.
$50,000
CDI, HUMC, HMSOM
“Salivary Biomarker Predictors of PFAPA (Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and cervical Adinitis Flares
Benjamin Tycko, M.D., Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI, HMSOM
“Understanding the interactions between multiple myeloma cells and osteoblasts to optimize treatment approaches”
Sandy Cheung, D.O., MPH
$50,000
HUMC, HMSOM
“Utilization of Lung Ultrasound Score in Decision for Minimally Invasive Surfactant Administration: A Pilot Study”
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ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH
Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. The network has 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers, physician practice locations, and a fitness and wellness center. With more than 35,000 team members and 7,000 physicians, Hackensack Meridian Health is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy and committed to the health and well-being of communities throughout New Jersey.
The network’s notable distinctions include having the only #1 ranked adult and children's hospitals in New Jersey, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2023-24. Hackensack University Medical Center is nationally-ranked by U.S. News & World Report in six specialties. To learn more, visit .
ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE (HMHRI):
HMHRI leads and organizes a connected ecosystem bringing together clinicians, scientists, and educators to respond to the health problems of our time, in real-time. HMHRI is dedicated to accelerating discovery, innovation, and translation of scientific breakthroughs that address unmet clinical needs.
ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH FOUNDATION
Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3), is the philanthropic division of Hackensack Meridian Health, a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. The foundation oversees fundraising for the network’s three academic medical centers, two children’s hospitals and seven community-based medical center foundations, as well as key initiatives, programs and services offered by Hackensack Meridian Health, including nursing support, behavioral health, children’s health, Hackensack Meridian Health’s Center for Discovery & Innovation and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation has been designated as both a High Performer Overall and Healthcare System High Performer by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) within their 2023 Report on Giving.
In September 2024, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation publicly launched its Be The Difference campaign, a one billion dollar fundraising initiative built upon four pillars, each designed to support Hackensack Meridian Health’s vision for New Jersey, including better delivery of patient care; revolutionizing medical education and supporting the nursing profession; accelerating research and discovery; and ensuring more equitable access to advanced care. To learn more about the campaign, visit HMHBeTheDifference.org. To make a gift in support of Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, visit GiveHMH.org/Donate.
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