Programs and Activities Highlights
- Small Grant Program for ORIP Special Emphasis Research Career Award (SERCA) K01 Recipients (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
ORIP released a small grant award—Establishing Pre-clinical Models of Osimertinib Resistance-Mediated Brain Metastasis (1R03OD039968-01)—in June 2026 as part of its commitment to supporting the early-career development of veterinary scientists and providing continued research opportunities for K01 awardees. This project will help establish and refine preclinical models to investigate mechanisms of osimertinib resistance associated with brain metastasis, addressing an important barrier in translational cancer research and therapeutic development. Enabling early-career veterinary scientists to expand research independence and generate critical preliminary data aligns with the NIH mission of advancing fundamental knowledge about living systems and applying that knowledge to improve health, reduce illness, and inform future interventions for serious diseases.
- Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (Parent T32)
ORIP released two institutional training awards—Animal Model Research for Veterinarians (2T32OD028239-06A1) and Comparative Biomedical Research Training for Veterinarians (2T32OD011083-16)—in June 2026 to strengthen the pipeline of veterinary scientists contributing to biomedical research. These awards support structured research training for veterinarians in such areas as research model development, translational research, new approach methodologies, and rigorous experimental design, equipping trainees with the skills needed to address human health challenges. By investing in veterinary scientist research training programs, ORIP advances the NIH mission of seeking fundamental knowledge about living systems and applying that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability, while also ensuring a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting high-quality and reproducible biomedical research.
- Human Tissues and Organs for Research Resource Pilot Award
An ORIP Special Emphasis Research Career Award (SERCA) K01 awardee received a pilot award through the Human Tissues and Organs for Research Resource (HTORR). Launched in 2024, the Pilot Award Program, a component of the ORIP-supported supported HTORR program, supports early-stage investigators by providing up to ten biological specimens to facilitate completion of pilot studies and collection of preliminary data necessary to obtain subsequent funding. This pilot award will allow Dr. Yoko Ambrosini, an ORIP SERCA K01 awardee, to incorporate human new approach methodologies into her research on epithelial–immune–microbial crosstalk in the gut–brain axis of inflammatory bowel disease.
- National Association of Veterinary Scientists D.V.M./Ph.D. Colloquium
An ORIP staff member presented a keynote talk, titled “NIH Funding Opportunities for Veterinarian-Scientists,” at the National Association of Veterinary Scientists D.V.M./Ph.D. Colloquium in August 2025. An ORIP staff member also served as a panelist at the D.V.M./Ph.D. Alumni Panel during this meeting.
- Specialized Research Training in Animal Models and Related Resources: Focus Group, Session 2
ORIP held a series of focus groups involving veterinary trainees, early-career scientists, mentors, and training program directors to identify and cultivate opportunities for collaborations and partnerships that address challenges and synergize strategies and resources supporting recruitment and retention of veterinary scientists. In the second session, held May 15, 2025, selected current trainees supported by ORIP T32 grants were invited to discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist in the current program. Additionally, early-career scientists—including ORIP K01 awardees, applicants, and graduates of the T32 program—were invited to discuss challenges faced by early-career scientists.
Read more in the archive.
ORIP-Supported Research Highlights
- Impact of Tongue Exercise on Hypoglossal Axis Survival, Structure, and Output in a Rodent Model of Hypoglossal Motor Neuron Degeneration
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are a group of neuromuscular (communication between nerves and muscles) disorders caused by the progressive loss of motor neurons. Motor neurons are nerve cells that control such important activities as breathing and swallowing. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in patients with MNDs, and OSA may aid the progression of MNDs. Using a 3- to 4-month-old male rat model for MND—and CTB-SAP injections to mimic motor neuron loss in OSA—researchers studied whether high-repetition, low-resistance tongue exercises protected against motor neuron degeneration. Results showed that the tongue exercises increased microglia (an immune cell of the nervous system) density and reduced deficits in nerve outputs. These findings highlight the potential use of tongue exercises to improve functional outcomes in patients with OSA and MND.
- Senescence-Associated Gene Pathways Are Differentially Expressed in Equine Aging-Related Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease that causes chronic pain and stiffness. Senescence (cells that no longer divide into new cells) is associated with aging and considered a key factor in OA disease development. In this study, researchers determined whether senescence genes were more active in OA synovial fluid (joint fluid) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Using a 1- to 25-year-old equine model for OA (sex not stated), researchers found senescence gene expression that was unique to specific cell types, and immune cells displayed increased expression of senescence genes linked to inflammation and stress. Results showed that joint cells displayed higher expression of certain genes—including AHR, IL1RN, HMOX1, and TIMP1—that were decreased in PBMCs. These findings suggest that senescence is increased in OA joints and that therapies that target senescent cells may help treat OA.
- Monoclonal Antibodies for Pediatric Viral Disease Prevention and Treatment
Medical advances have reduced morbidity and death rates associated with viral pediatric infectious diseases. However, several persistent viruses, such as HIV and cytomegalovirus, still need effective antivirals. In this review article, the authors discuss how human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a strategy to prevent or treat viral infections in pediatric patients. mAbs are proteins that can be made in the laboratory to target certain antigens (a marker seen as foreign and recognized by the immune system) on viruses. The review article focuses on mAb availability, strategies, advancements, and challenges.
- Adult Canine Pancreatic Organoids Enable Functional Analysis of Pancreatic Epithelial Barrier and Inflammatory Responses
3D organoids are useful for modeling pancreatic epithelial development, differentiation, and disease. Dogs naturally develop a range of pancreatic diseases—including acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer—that mimic the clinical and pathological (disease-causing) features observed in humans. In this study, researchers successfully developed a long-term organoid model for the pancreas from 1.5- to 10-year-old male adult canines that demonstrated a stable ductal phenotype (physical characteristics). The researchers also developed a 2D culture from the organoids and showed that epithelial barrier integrity and function were maintained. This study provides a reproducible protocol for creating ethically accessible and physiologically relevant 3D organoids and 2D cultures of the adult pancreas. This study provides a foundation for future research in pancreatic disease modeling, comparative medicine, and therapeutic strategies.
- Cognitive Impairment Caused by Compromised Hepatic Ketogenesis Is Prevented by Endurance Exercise
Previous research has demonstrated that endurance exercise improves cognition and is neuroprotective against aging and disease. However, the underlying mechanisms of these benefits remain poorly understood. In this study, researchers determined whether ketones, produced by the liver, mediate endurance exercise–based neuroprotection. Using 6-month-old female rats, researchers found that hepatic ketogenesis (production of ketones by the liver) is required to maintain cognition, synaptic plasticity (connections across brain cells), and mitochondrial (cellular organelles that create energy) function. Results also showed that prolonged endurance exercise prevents nervous system deficiencies caused by insufficient hepatic ketogenesis. These findings establish a link between the liver and brain and demonstrate the importance of understanding how peripheral tissue, such as the liver, regulates brain health.
Read more in the archive.
