Pediatric Surgery Research Fellow Award

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

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)