As part of September Suicide Prevention Month, we are proud to highlight the work of Dr. Evan Kleiman, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences and BHI member, who is working to advance our understanding of suicide risk in preteens. Dr. Kleiman recently received a four-year R01 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health for his project, “Clarifying Phenotypes of Suicide Risk in Preteen Youth: An Intensive Longitudinal Assessment Study.” This research seeks to develop assessments tailored for preteens and to create tools that examine how suicide risk fluctuates over time, particularly during high-risk periods. By addressing these knowledge gaps, Dr. Kleiman’s work has the potential to improve suicide prevention strategies and enhance mental health outcomes for vulnerable youth.

The Rutgers Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (RUCARES) at the BHI and the New Jersey Autism Center of Excellence (NJACE) hosted the First Annual Conference on September 6th. The event brought together local and national autism researchers and physicians for a day of presentations and discussions on cutting-edge topics in autism research and clinical care. The conference highlighted the diverse expertise and interests of attendees, fostering collaboration between the research and medical communities. Keynote speakers included Dr. Matthew Siegel and Dr. Zheng Wang.

The Rutgers Addiction Research Center (RARC) at the BHI hosted the 2024 Fall Symposium on September 6th, highlighting the extensive addiction research and clinical services across Rutgers. The event provided a platform for attendees to learn about both ongoing and new research, while fostering valuable connections among colleagues. The symposium concluded with a poster session, where the top two Best Poster Awards were presented to Emily Zhang from Dr. Travis Baker’s lab and Esther Ko from Dr. Rafiq Huda’s lab.

Core faculty in the BHI and Princeton University have been awarded a five-year, $16 Million Silvio O. Conte Center for Translational Mental Health Research P50 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to study latent cause inference - a fundamental cognitive process crucial to understanding various normal cognitive processes as well as mental health conditions. Dr. Yael Niv, Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience at Princeton and Co-Director of the Rutgers-Princeton Center for Computational Cognitive Neuro-Psychiatry (CCNP) in the BHI, is the Principal Investigator of the P50 grant award.

Dr. Wilma Friedman, Distinguished Professor of Cellular Neurobiology at SASN and BHI member, published a new paper entitled "ProNGF elicits retrograde axonal degeneration of basal forebrain neurons via p75NTR and induction of Amyloid Precursor Protein" in Science Signaling. The findings reveal a functional role for APP in mediating BFCN axonal degeneration and cell death induced by proNGF.

Despite mounting evidence of significant racial and ethnic disparities in Alzheimer's disease, South Asians remain severely underrepresented in research. Addressing this knowledge gap is crucial for ensuring equitable, effective care for the South Asian community. Since June 2024, Dr. Michal Schnaider Beeri, Director of the Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center in BHI, and her team have been recruiting offspring of Alzheimer’s patients from South Asian communities to study Alzheimer’s risk among South Asian Populations.

Julia Rhodes, a former high school student in Dr Gary Aston-Jones’ lab, is now a freshman at Rutgers University-New Brunswick Honors College, School of Arts and Sciences. While in high school, Julia joined a study in the lab of Dr. Gary Aston-Jones, director of the BHI, exploring whether insomnia medication could prevent addiction to prescription opioids. Over the summer of 2023, Julia conducted behavioral tests, administered opioid injections, and analyzed brain tissue in the lab. Julia is a recipient of the Rutgers Presidential Scholarship, and she plans to major in Cognitive Science and continue her research on the brain.

Dr. Tibor Rohacs, Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience at NJMS and vice chair of Cognitive & Sensory Neuroscience FAWG in BHI, received a two-year R01 grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for the project “Regulation of mechanically activated Piezo2 ion channels by membrane lipids”. Piezo2 is expressed in peripheral sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia and plays important roles in gentle touch and injury-induced mechanical pain. The study aims to gain insights into how lipids regulate Piezo channels, building upon the recent identification of membrane lipids that specifically inhibit Piezo2 activity while not affecting Piezo1.

Dr. Sangmi Chung, Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at RWJMS and BHI Core Faculty, received a new UG3 grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for the project “Cortical Interneuron Transplantation to Treat Intractable Epilepsy”. The study will conduct IND-enabling studies and the first-in-human clinical trial of hypoimmunogenic cortical interneuron transplantation. The study is pivotal for translating this experimental therapy into a viable therapeutic strategy for intractable epilepsy.

Dr. Bonnie Firestein, Professor in the Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience and past recipient of multiple pilot grants from BHI, received a four-year R01 grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for the project “Metabolic Mechanisms of Recovery in Mild TBI”. Concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is the most common neurological condition seen in both children and adults, and the incidence of concussions is increasing with a growing awareness of the possible consequences of repetitive concussions on brain health. The study will address whether therapeutics that target this protein can be used to promote recovery after a single mild TBI, paving the way for future drug development for human use.

Dr. Evan Kleiman, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences, received a four-year R01 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health for the project “Clarifying phenotypes of suicide risk in preteen youth: An intensive longitudinal assessment study”. It is critical not only to develop assessments of lifetime suicidal thoughts and behaviors appropriate for preteens but also to develop tools to examine how risk fluctuates over time, particularly during high-risk periods. The study aims to address these critical gaps in knowledge by adapting and validating a time-varying measure of suicide risk for preteens.

Dr. Jessica Hamilton, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences, received a two-year R21 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health for the project “Bidirectional relationships between positive and negative social media use and suicidal ideation in high-risk adolescents”. The study aims to examine the temporal and unique relationships between different aspects of social media use and suicidal ideation in adolescents and evaluate sleep disruption as a potential mechanism. The results of this study have the potential to inform scalable and equitable suicide prevention programs and evidence-based social media use guidelines to improve adolescent mental health.

Dr. Ian Oldenburg, Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology at RWJMS and BHI member, received a three-year DP2 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health for the project “Editing Population Codes For Action”. This proposal promises to revolutionize how we study and validate models of cortical interaction and neural coding. Far from being limited to motor control alone, these findings will have far-reaching implications – helping to create next-generation neural prosthetics, treat complex neurological diseases, and change the way we study complex systems.

Dr. Andrea Spaeth, Associate Professor, and Dr. Jennifer Buckman, Professor, both in the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences, received a five-year R01 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse for the project “The role of stress physiology and reproductive hormones in the relationship between cannabis use and sleep in women of childbearing age”. The study addresses critical, and currently lacking, information about women, a population that experiences more negative consequences from cannabis use and a higher rate of sleep disturbances and disorders, yet has been largely overlooked in biological research due to the complexity of the menstrual cycle.

Dr. Todd Mowery, Assistant Professor at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at RWJMS and BHI Core Faculty, received a two-year R21 grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development for the project “An Animal Model of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Exposure to Light and Sound”. The project will introduce a new animal model of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) preterm infant, with which mitigative and treatment-based approaches to early light and sound exposure can be ethically carried out by the research community. We hope to establish this animal model to create a bridge between clinical pediatric physician researchers and the animal research community to advance clinical treatments and care for the NICU-exposed preterm infant.

Dr. Manon Bohic, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Victoria Abraira’s lab, has been awarded the prestigious Bridge to Independence Award from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) for her project "Modulating Sensory Processing in Autism: The Role of Spinal Oxytocin in Touch and Pain Perception." Manon’s research aims to explore how changes in spinal processing of affective touch and pain may contribute to the unique sensory experiences and social interaction patterns observed in autistic individuals. The award includes up to two years of postdoctoral support with an annual salary of $85,000, and a yearly resource and professional development allowance of $10,000, and a $600,000 faculty research grant to establish her own independent lab. Manon is the first recipient of this award at Rutgers. Congratulations, Manon!

The Brain Health Institute and Center for Advanced Human Brain Imaging Research are pleased to announce the availability of funds for pilot grants for human neuroimaging studies. Separate mechanisms are available for RU-NB and RBHS faculty. The application due date is October 15, 2024.

The New Jersey Health Foundation Grants Program is available for submission, with up to $5 million in available funding. Faculty and personnel will be eligible to apply for a grant beginning September 13, 2024. Applications will be accepted from September 13, 2024, through November 8, 2024, with an anticipated start date of February 17, 2025. Detailed information, including Policies & Procedures, FAQs, and a sample Letter of Agreement, can be found on the website.

The New Jersey Autism Center of Excellence (NJACE) led by Dr. Wayne Fisher, Director of RUCARES in BHI, aims to help New Jersey researchers connect with individuals with autism and their families who may be interested in participating in research. We anticipate funding up to four seed grants with a maximum of $2,000 per award. Please complete the request form and submit it to Hnorris@childrensspecialized.org to be considered for funding.

The LHS Scholars Training Program aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders in Learning Health Systems (LHS) Science by providing comprehensive education, training, mentorship, and career development opportunities tailored to the professional interests of embedded investigators, clinicians, and health system personnel. Their goal is to nurture LHS Scholars who will contribute to academia, industry, and government.

The BHI and the RARC are pleased to announce the mock grant review program at Rutgers University. The primary objective of this program is to increase the success of grant proposals submitted to NIH by Rutgers investigators from the BHI and/or the RARC.

The Brain Modulation & Control Lab is recruiting paid volunteers to perform computer-based tasks while recording electroencephalography (EEG) data and applying transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to study brain dynamics related to eye movement tasks. If you are interested in this study, please contact bmclab@rwjms.rutgers.edu

The Rutgers Addiction Research Center in BHI is currently running a research study to evaluate a newly developed online platform that provides individuals with personalized risk profiles that combine genetic, behavioral, and environmental information. Participants will receive their personalized risk profile for free as well as up to $40 in compensation for completing research surveys to help the study team evaluate the program.

The Rutgers Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center is launching a study to understand the characteristics that may place South Asian populations at heightened risk for Alzheimer's disease. This study seeks to recruit individuals with ethnic or racial backgrounds from South Asian countries, aged 45-70, who have one or more parents with AD. Participants at Rutgers can receive up to $175. Participants will undergo comprehensive assessments every two years, encompassing surveys, cognitive and language assessments, motor function tasks, blood tests, physical and neurological exams, as well as brain imaging. For eligibility and inquiries, contact the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer Research Center at adrd@bhi.edu or visit www.adrd.rutgers.edu

The RARC is partnering with the Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR) to establish a streamlined process for enhanced collaboration among Rutgers researchers who want to partner with RWJBarnabas to analyze substance use disorder outcome data and/or implement new studies in the health system.

The Research Community Partnership (RCP), overseen by the RARC, is a central enrollment hub for community members to participate in Rutgers research projects, and for researchers to recruit for their studies. By signing up for the RCP, individuals agree to be contacted by approved researchers to participate in projects. Participants can choose to accept or decline any project to which they are invited. Anyone who wants to be a part of research can enroll in the RCP.

The newly established Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center in BHI will serve as a hub for collaboration, innovation, and transformative research, with the mission of making meaningful strides in the prevention, diagnosis, and care of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD). If you are interested in learning more or collaborating with the center, please submit the form to provide your contact information.

The Department of Psychology in the Rutgers University-New Brunswick, School of Arts and Sciences in Piscataway, New Jersey invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience (BSN), with a start date of September 1, 2025. The ideal candidate is expected to lead a research program using advanced neuroscience approaches that would complement departmental strengths in one or more of the following pre-clinical areas: 1) sensory and computational neuroscience; 2) motivational and affective neuroscience; and 3) learning and memory.

The Rutgers Training in Addiction Research Program (TARP) announced the availability of a postdoctoral position. Interested applicants should email their CV to Chris Pierce at chris.pierce@rutgers.edu.

MidAtlantic Neonatology Associates and Biomedical Research Institute of New Jersey (BRInj) are recruiting scientists to lead and/or assist our Neonatology faculty with developing a research program on the effects of prenatal/perinatal stress on neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes. We are particularly interested in candidates with strong expertise in rodent behavior, and additional experience with immunohistochemistry, microscopy, and/or molecular biology. Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter to Dr. Elizabeth Eckman, Director of Preclinical Research, lizeckman@brinj.org

The Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at the BHI is recruiting a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level to expand our research portfolio in the basic science of neurodegenerative diseases. We seek scholars with innovative, rigorous, and impactful basic research programs focusing on the gut-brain axis related to aging, Alzheimer’s disease, or associated dementias. Applicants should submit a CV and a brief statement of research accomplishments and plans to Dr. Miriam Bocarsly at bocarsme@njms.rutgers.edu and a copy to bhi@bhi.rutgers.edu.

The Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at BHI seeks a neuroimaging leader for a tenure-track position at the Associate or Full Professor level, a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist with clinical experience in caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, and a neuropsychologist with a research career devoted to the neuropsychology of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

The BHI, RUCARES, and Department of Pediatrics at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) are seeking a tenure-track assistant or associate professor for a clinical research program focused on improving interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorder. 

The CAHBIR is recruiting for multiple faculty positions at all levels (Assistant/Associate/ Professor). We seek investigators who use innovative MRI approaches to image human brain structure and function. Individuals who utilize additional approaches such as EEG, tDCS, and rTMS to study human brain function would also be attractive.