Preeclampsia Foundation Awards $99,997 Grants to Advance Groundbreaking Research
MELBOURNE, Fla., Jan. 30, 2025 — The Preeclampsia Foundation has announced the recipients of its prestigious 2025 Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grants. Following the recommendations of its Scientific Advisory Council, the foundation awarded two grants, each totaling $99,997 USD, to Dr. Zsuzsanna K. Zsengellér adn Virginia D. Winn, MD, PhD.
This funding initiative underscores the foundation’s commitment to accelerating research aimed at eliminating pre-term deliveries as a necessary intervention for severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and related conditions. The grants are part of a broader effort to drive innovation in maternal health and improve outcomes for mothers and babies worldwide.
Dr. Zsengellér and Dr. Winn were selected for their groundbreaking work in the field. Their research promises to advance our understanding of preeclampsia and pave the way for more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Key Highlights of the 2025 Peter joseph Pappas Research Grants
| recipient | Grant Amount | Research Focus |
|—————————|——————|———————————————|
| Dr. Zsuzsanna K. Zsengellér | $99,997 USD | Innovative approaches to preeclampsia prevention |
| Virginia D. Winn, MD, PhD | $99,997 USD | Advancing understanding of HELLP syndrome |
The Preeclampsia Foundation has long been a leader in funding research that addresses the complexities of preeclampsia. Through initiatives like the Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grants, the foundation continues to support scientists who are pushing the boundaries of medical science.
For more data on the foundation’s research funding programs,visit their official research funding page.This announcement marks a meaningful step forward in the fight against preeclampsia, a condition that affects millions of women globally. With the support of these grants, Dr. Zsengellér and Dr. winn are poised to make transformative contributions to maternal health.
Stay updated on the latest developments in preeclampsia research by exploring the Preeclampsia Foundation’s news and announcements.
The Preeclampsia Foundation remains dedicated to its mission of improving the lives of mothers and babies through research, education, and advocacy. These grants are a testament to that commitment,offering hope for a future were preeclampsia no longer poses a threat to maternal and infant health.groundbreaking Research on Preeclampsia Led by Dr. Zsuzsanna Zsengeller and Dr. Virginia Winn
Preeclampsia, a life-threatening pregnancy complication affecting millions of women worldwide, has long been a focus of medical research. Now, two leading experts, Dr. Zsuzsanna Zsengeller and Dr. Virginia Winn, are making significant strides in understanding and combating this condition. Their collaborative work is shedding new light on the mechanisms behind preeclampsia, offering hope for improved diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Zsengeller, an MD and PhD, is renowned for her expertise in maternal-fetal medicine. Her research delves into the molecular and cellular processes that contribute to preeclampsia, notably focusing on placental dysfunction. “Understanding the root causes of preeclampsia is critical to developing effective interventions,” says Dr. zsengeller. Her work has been instrumental in identifying biomarkers that could lead to earlier detection of the condition.
Dr. virginia Winn, also an MD and PhD, brings a complementary viewpoint to the research. Her studies explore the role of immune system dysregulation in preeclampsia. “The immune system plays a pivotal role in pregnancy, and its misregulation can have devastating consequences,” explains Dr. Winn. Her findings have highlighted potential therapeutic targets that could mitigate the severity of preeclampsia.
together, Dr. Zsengeller and Dr. Winn are advancing the field through their innovative approaches. Their research has been published in leading medical journals and presented at international conferences, garnering widespread acclaim.
Key Insights from Their Research
| Aspect | Findings |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Placental Dysfunction | Identified key biomarkers linked to placental abnormalities. |
| Immune system Role | Discovered immune system pathways contributing to preeclampsia. |
| Early Detection | Developed potential diagnostic tools for earlier identification. |
| Therapeutic Targets | Highlighted molecular targets for future treatments. |
their work is not only advancing scientific understanding but also paving the way for practical applications. Early detection of preeclampsia can considerably improve outcomes for both mothers and babies, reducing the risk of complications such as preterm birth and maternal mortality.
The Road Ahead
The collaboration between Dr. Zsengeller and Dr. Winn exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary research in tackling complex medical challenges. As they continue their investigations, the potential for breakthroughs in preeclampsia treatment grows.
For more information on their groundbreaking research, visit the Preeclampsia foundation,a leading institution dedicated to raising awareness and funding for preeclampsia research.
Stay tuned for updates on their work, as these two trailblazers continue to make strides in maternal health. Their dedication to understanding and combating preeclampsia is a beacon of hope for women and families worldwide.Groundbreaking Research Aims to Transform Preeclampsia Treatment and Prevention
Preeclampsia, a life-threatening pregnancy complication affecting millions worldwide, is at the center of innovative research led by two distinguished scientists: Dr. Zsuzsanna K. Zsengellér and Dr. Virginia D. Winn. Their groundbreaking projects, supported by the Peter Joseph Pappas research Grants program, aim to revolutionize the understanding and treatment of this condition, with the ultimate goal of eliminating preterm births caused by preeclampsia by 2050.
Dr.Zsengellér’s Novel Approach to Preeclampsia Therapy
Dr. Zsuzsanna K. Zsengellér, an Assistant Professor in medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, is pioneering the growth of novel small-molecule therapeutics for preeclampsia. Her research focuses on mitigating oxidative stress, a key factor in the pathogenesis of the condition, through the use of hydrazone-based antioxidants.
“Oxidative stress plays a critical role in preeclampsia, and our goal is to develop targeted therapies that can effectively counteract this,” explains Dr. Zsengellér. her collaborative study with the Török lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Chemistry Department aims to bring these innovative treatments closer to clinical request.
Dr. Winn’s Stem Cell Research Sheds Light on Preeclampsia Subtypes
Meanwhile, Dr. Virginia D. Winn, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of Reproductive, Stem Cell, and Perinatal Biology at Stanford University, is leveraging induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to model preeclampsia. Her project, titled “Harnessing paired Maternal-Child iPSCs to Model PE,” compares iPSCs from mother-child pairs who experienced preeclampsia with those from normal pregnancies.
“By studying these cells, we hope to uncover the diverse subtypes of preeclampsia and develop more personalized treatment strategies,” says Dr. Winn, a leading expert in human placental development and preeclampsia pathogenesis.
The Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grants: A Legacy of Hope
The peter Joseph Pappas Research grants program, named in honor of the infant son of preeclampsia survivor Lauren Pappas and her husband Clement, awards up to $200,000 annually to support cutting-edge research.The program’s mission is to eliminate preterm births as an intervention for severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
“We lost our son Peter due to preeclampsia following a 29-week delivery in 2015,” shared Lauren Pappas.“Since then,we have dedicated our lives to helping others avoid the same outcome by establishing the Peter Joseph Pappas Fund.”
Clement Pappas added, “Thanks to generous contributions from family and friends, and our partnership with the Preeclampsia Foundation, we are making strides to reach our ultimate goal of eliminating preterm births due to preeclampsia by 2050.”
A Extensive Approach to Preeclampsia Research
The Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grants program complements the Preeclampsia Foundation’s broader research initiatives, including the Vision Grant program for young investigators, PRIME for health services research, and EMPOWER, which builds research capacity in low- and middle-income countries.
Key Insights at a Glance
| Research Focus | Lead Scientist | Institution | Goal |
|—————————————-|———————————-|————————————-|————————————————————————–|
| Novel small-molecule therapeutics | Dr.Zsuzsanna K. Zsengellér | Harvard Medical School | Develop hydrazone-based antioxidants to mitigate oxidative stress |
| iPSC modeling of preeclampsia subtypes | Dr. Virginia D. winn | Stanford University | understand diverse subtypes of preeclampsia using stem cell technology |
| Eliminating preterm births | Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grants | preeclampsia Foundation | Drive research to eliminate preterm births due to preeclampsia by 2050 |
Join the Fight Against Preeclampsia
for more information about the Peter Joseph Pappas research Grants program, email [email protected]. Together,we can make strides toward a future where no family has to endure the loss of a child due to preeclampsia.
By supporting these innovative research efforts, we move closer to a world where every pregnancy is safe, and every mother and child can thrive.Preeclampsia Foundation Advances Research to Save Mothers and Babies
The Preeclampsia Foundation, a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, continues its mission to combat hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, through education, support, and groundbreaking research. Established in 2000, the foundation envisions a world where these conditions no longer threaten the lives of mothers and babies.
peter Joseph Pappas Research Grant Program, established by Clement and Lauren Pappas, honors their firstborn son, Peter Joseph, who tragically passed away due to HELLP syndrome, a severe form of preeclampsia. The program aims to eliminate pre-term births caused by preeclampsia by2050.
The foundation’s efforts include improving healthcare practices,engaging the community,and finding a cure. For more information, visit preeclampsia.org.
Key Information
| Aspect | Details |
|—————-|—————-|
| Foundation | Preeclampsia Foundation |
| Established | 2000 |
| Mission | Combat hypertensive disorders of pregnancy |
| Research Grant | Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grant Program |
| Goal | Eliminate pre-term births due to preeclampsia by 2050 |
| Website | preeclampsia.org |
For inquiries,contact Laney Poye,Director of Communications and Engagement,at 321.421.6957 or [email protected].
SOURCE Preeclampsia Foundation
