Dr. Bacskai’s research is aimed at understanding Alzheimer’s disease in the most physiologically relevant model — the intact brain. During the past year, he used the scholar funds to support general research in his lab and to offset the high cost of microscopes and of the aged transgenic mouse models. In addition, he started a new project that has yet to receive funding, requiring a small capital investment, some expensive biological reagents and the recruitment and training of a new postdoctoral fellow.

Dr. Bacskai reports that scientific progress was “excellent” this year. Specifically, he has published some of his most recent work in great journals and has been moving forward with ongoing projects in the lab. Journal articles for several projects are in progress; two have recently been submitted. He feels he has had great success in moving new and early projects forward.

In addition, Dr. Bacskai has been generating new data for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant submission. He will resubmit this R01 application with the new data. Likewise, he hopes to generate enough preliminary data in his new project to apply for funding through the NIH, probably as an R21 application. He believes that a critical component of the Research Scholars program is that it provides the freedom to pursue new ideas and develop an idea into something tangible enough to generate more funds through granting agencies. In his words, “This is a great mechanism to leverage additional funding.”

Dr. Bacskai believes this award has affected him personally in a very positive way. It has raised awareness of his research within his department and the hospital and further validated his approaches and research directions. Moreover, he has begun discussing a new research project, which he is excited about pursuing with another Research Scholar from a different discipline.