Pediatric Surgery Research Fellow Award

Pediatric Surgery Research Fellow Award

Funder: Necrotizing Enterocolitis NEC Society (in partnership with the American Pediatric Surgical Association)

Award Amount: $5,000

Purpose: To support pediatric surgery research fellows working to accelerate NEC research. The award funds innovative research projects that advance understanding of necrotizing enterocolitis and related surgical conditions in neonates.

Geographic Scope: United States (CA-based funder)

Focus Areas:

Intestinal barrier disruption mechanisms

Cardiac-associated NEC (cardiac NEC vs. prematurity-associated NEC)

Surgical GI-related diseases in neonates (NEC, spontaneous intestinal perforation, short bowel syndrome)

Mucous layer function and expression of catalytic enzymes

Pathophysiology of NEC in infants with congenital heart defects

Eligibility:

Pediatric Surgery Research Fellows

Researchers working in pediatric surgery programs

Members of the NEC Society's Research Incubator program (preferred)

Participants in NEC Society mentorship program (preferred)

Recent Awardees:

2025: Dr. Colton Wayne, MD (Nationwide Children's Hospital, working in Dr. Gail E. Besner's lab) - Project on "The Pathophysiology of Cardiac-Associated vs. Prematurity-Associated Necrotizing Enterocolitis"

2024: Dr. Jessica Rauh, MD, MS (Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center) - Project exploring intestinal barrier disruption mechanisms and the role of catalytic enzyme expression in NEC pathogenesis

Research Incubator Involvement: Active members of the NEC Society's Research Incubator program since 2023 are encouraged to apply.

Contact Information:

NEC Society

907 3rd Street #128

Davis, CA 95616

Email: Sarah@NECsociety.org

Phone: 1-530-448-8088

Organization Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 46-4426455)