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NHLBI - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Project Summary Macrophages are essential for tissue and metabolic homeostasis, but in the context of metabolic disorders, they become dysfunctional and promote chronic inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. Consuming a high-calorie diet (HCD) stimulates the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in blood monocytes. The resulting thiol oxidative stress promotes the formation of mixed disulfides between protein thiols and glutathione, a reaction referred to as “protein S-glutathionylation.” The S-glutathionylation of proteins is a reversible posttranslational modification. However, if sustained, in most instances, leads to conformational changes within the protein, loss of function and, in some cases, degradation of the target proteins, resulting in the reprogramming of the monocyte proteome. Blood monocytes reprogrammed by HCD exposure become dysfunctional and show enhanced chemotaxis and increased recruitment to sites of inflammation, as well as dysregulated polarization profiles. However, the source of H2O2 responsible for the reprogramming of monocytes by metabolic stress and its protein targets remain largely unexplored. We identified NADPH Oxidase 4 (Nox4) as a novel, inducible H2O2- generating NADPH oxidase in monocytes and macrophages. The central hypothesis of my proposal is therefore that metabolic stress-induced Nox4 expression in monocytes and macrophages promotes atherogenesis by triggering H2O2-induced protein S-glutathionylation and proteome reprogramming, which in turn enhances monocyte chemotactic activity, accelerates the accumulation of monocyte- derived macrophages within the vascular wall, and skews the polarization of macrophages within the vessel toward proinflammatory phenotypes. To test this hypothesis, I will use novel conditional myeloid- specific Nox4 knockdown mice with an atherosclerosis-prone LDLR KO genetic background and feed these mice a HCD for 20 weeks to induce atherogenesis. To investigate the role of Nox4 in monocyte proteome reprogramming and the overrecruitment of dysregulated macrophages into atherosclerotic lesions, I propose to employ state-of-the art redox proteomics and bulk RNA-seq transcriptomics combined with custom-designed qPCR-based high-throughput gene profiling approaches. In addition, I will use immunoprecipitation and Western blot approaches to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for dysregulating the activation patterns of key transcription factors involved in macrophage polarization and signaling, and to identify the roles of Nox4 in this process. This fellowship provides a well-structured training plan in a supportive, well-equipped research environment. The plan focuses on macrophage biology, redox biochemistry and vascular disease, using state- of-the-art omics, profiling approaches and novel transgenic mouse models. The research plan I propose will provide me with an outstanding training opportunity in an excellent training environment and prepare me for the next phase of my career.

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

PROJECT SUMMARY Although HIV-1 infection can be controlled through long-term treatment with anti-retroviral therapy (ART), a true cure has been intangible. Reservoir cells endure over time and support latent HIV-1 reactivation upon therapy cessation, yet little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our lab has recently identified previously unprecedented mechanistic details in the process of RNA polymerase (Pol II) transcription, which might have implications for the regulation of latency maintenance and reactivation in reservoir cells. Specifically, we found a form of convergent Pol II (antisense and downstream of the 5’-LTR) that we will explore in this research proposal to help fill this knowledge gap, and provide key insights into HIV-1 biology as well as cure strategies. The major goal of this grant application is to define the role(s) of the convergent Pol II form to the process of sense HIV-1 transcription from the 5’-LTR during latency and reactivation. We will accomplish this goal by leveraging genetic assays for HIV-1 proviral genome engineering and high-resolution genomic assays in immortalized cell models of latency with cross-validation in primary cell models to bolster physiologic relevance. We will explore the central hypothesis that the convergent Pol II form is required to maintain proper dynamics of sense HIV-1 transcription to facilitate the latency-reactivation switch. We will test if the convergent Pol II form influences HIV-1 transcription in the various phases of the multi-phase HIV-1 transcription program (basal, host and viral) with and without Tat function. We propose to build on our recent findings to gain a deeper understanding of how convergent Pol II controls HIV-1 transcription for latency reactivation in the host and viral phases of the HIV-1 transcriptional program. These goals are reflected in two Specific Aims: assess the function of convergent Pol II pausing to HIV-1 transcription latency and reactivation (Aim 1), and cross validate the presence of convergent Pol II in a primary cell model of latency (Aim 2). If successful, this project will yield a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms by which sense and convergent Pol II forms operate (jointly or independently) to promote HIV-1 transcription during latency reactivation, collectively having a sustained impact in the field. In keeping with NIAID’s mission of ending the HIV-1 epidemic, our long-term objective is to leverage these basic discoveries to help devise novel and alternative cure strategies. We envision that the fundamental knowledge gained by this research could be used in future studies beyond the scope (e.g., by exploiting the convergent Pol II form) to permanently silence transcription to achieve the long-awaited HIV-1 remission.

NIDCD - National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Project Summary Deficits in spatial hearing are a common feature of age-related hearing loss and several neurodevelopmental disorders. Affected listeners struggle in “cocktail-party” environments, where separating competing voices requires precise neural encoding of spatial cues. These difficulties not only impair communication but also contribute to social isolation, dementia, and other health burdens. The auditory brainstem is the first stage of the ascending auditory system that integrates binaural cues for sound localization, yet how this high precision is achieved, and the specific contributions of inhibitory nuclei remain incompletely understood. The trapezoid body is a critical inhibitory hub containing the medial (MNTB), lateral (LNTB), and ventral (VNTB) nuclei. Our recent evidence suggests that MNTB and LNTB contribute to spatial acuity by shaping the tuning characteristics of encoded binaural cues, but the role of afferent inhibition through the VNTB remains largely unexplored. Preliminary findings indicate that VNTB feedforward inhibition may emphasize transient features of sounds and stabilize spatial acuity during rapid sequences, yet no model or experimental framework currently incorporates its function. This project addresses this gap using an integrated approach that combines computational modeling, in vivo optogenetics, auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), and behavioral assessment. In the K99 phase, I will (1) extend spiking neural network models of the auditory brainstem to include VNTB inhibition, and (2) test model predictions using optogenetic manipulations and extracellular recordings in Mongolian gerbils. In the R00 phase, I will (3) link nucleus-specific activity to ABR and binaural interaction components as clinically measurable markers, and (4) evaluate perceptual consequences of inhibiting MNTB, LNTB, or VNTB using prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex. The project is innovative in applying state-of-the-art biophysical models together with in-vivo optogenetic manipulations in deep and small brainstem nuclei, providing a unique opportunity to establish causal roles of these circuits. By iteratively linking computational predictions with electrophysiological, evoked potential, and behavioral outcomes, the work will generate a comprehensive, multi-level framework of how trapezoid body inhibition shapes spatial hearing. Together, these studies will define the causal roles of trapezoid body inhibition in sharpening temporal precision and spatial hearing. The outcomes will resolve a longstanding gap in auditory brainstem physiology, provide mechanistic insight into central auditory processing disorders, and establish computational and translational frameworks to inform future diagnostics, neuromorphic devices, and auditory prostheses.

NIA - National Institute on Aging

Abstract The advancement of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the lives of people living with HIV (PWH) to manageable diseases. However, due to the persistence of viral reservoirs, a cure for HIV remains elusive. Chronological aging is associated with cerebral and extracerebral progressive accumulation of amyloid fibrils, which plays a crucial role in the development of late-onset Alzheimer's and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (AD-ADRD). More than ten precursor proteins, including transthyretin, amylin, lactadherin, Aβ1-42, α- synuclein, epidermal growth factor-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1, semenogelin, and others, are implicated in age-associated amyloidosis. Age-associated amyloidosis results in activation of microglia in the brain, T cells and myeloid cells in the periphery, M1 polarization of macrophages, and creates a systemic chronic inflammatory milieu. In the United States, more than half of all the people living with HIV (PWH) are aged 50 years or older. Additionally, more than 15% of newly HIV diagnosed Americans are over 50 years of age. Therefore, it becomes paramount to understand the impact of amyloid fibril deposition on the reactivation and expansion of lymphoid and myeloid latent reservoirs in older people living with HIV. Conversely, HIV infection and chronological aging are two mutually exclusive comorbid conditions for the development of AD-ADRD. Therefore, it is indispensable to understand the role of HIV in enhancing the deposition of amyloid fibrils and in the development/acceleration of AD–ADRD among older people living with HIV. The commonly used small animal models of AD, not comprehensively recapitulate the heterogeneous manifestations of late onset of AD. On the contrary, rhesus macaques naturally develop age-associated cognitive decline and deposition of amyloid fibrils closely mirrored in humans. This proposal aims to address the knowledge gaps in the field described above. In Aim 1, we will study the impact of age-associated deposition of amyloid fibrils on HIV reservoirs, and in Aim 2, assess the impact of viral infection on the enhancement of chronological aging-associated amyloidosis, and subsequent development of AD-ADRD phenotypes. We anticipate that understanding the aging-associated reactivation and expansion of the viral reservoir will help to provide a more informed approach to designing HIV cure research interventions for older people living with HIV, as well as understanding the role of HIV on the development of late-onset AD-ADRD will aid in the development of customized care modalities, including treatment for comorbid conditions.

ROOTS Celebration Committee

The ROOTS Celebration Committee will host a free public event on September 1, 2019 from 10 am to 6 pm at Jimi Hendrix located at 2400 S Massachusetts St and at the adjacent Sam Smith Park located at 1400 Martin Luther King Jr Wy S. This iconic annual celebration of African American culture will feature storytelling, art, music, and community building.

Friends of Roots Without Borders

The Friends of Roots Without Borders will be hosting `Music to Build Community` a series of five arts and culture events that illuminate the roots of music and dance in the Americas, The first event is going to take place on March 5, 2023 at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122. Rehearsals for all five events will take place at Sunset Hill Community Association. Other event will take place on May 8th, September 17th, November 4th and another in December, start times will be confirmed prior to events. The series will follow the evolution of arts and culture from a time before borders. Event programs will feature professional artists of diverse disciplines and cultures, highlighting indigenous music and folkloric dance from Olmec, Zapotec, Maya, Toltec, Aztec and Lummi peoples. The event is free and open to the public.

Roseburg Public Library

Purchase supplies to develop STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) programming for all students in the Roseburg area. BUltimately, establishing these programs will provide a sustainable, long-term source of STEAM education for students from kindergarten to high school graduation.

NIDCD - National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Abstract We request funding to acquire the Interacoustics VisualEyes 525b rotary chair, videonystagmography (VNG) module, and the pediatric assessment kit to enhance interdisciplinary research and graduate training in vestibular science at the University of Memphis. This state-of-the-art system will replace our outdated and unserviceable unit, significantly expanding our capacity to investigate vestibular function across the lifespan, from infants to older adults, and to train the next generation of researchers and clinicians in audiology and related biomedical disciplines. The vestibular system is critical for balance and spatial orientation. Dysfunction in this system is a major independent risk factor for falls in older adults, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. In children, vestibular disorders are linked to delayed motor development, cognitive challenges, and poor academic performance. Despite its clinical importance, many existing diagnostic tools lack the sensitivity and precision to fully evaluate vestibular deficits. The requested system provides advanced capabilities, including sinusoidal harmonic acceleration, step velocity testing, oculomotor examination, and visual fixation suppression. These features enable detailed assessment of both peripheral and central vestibular function, which is not possible with our current equipment. Importantly, the requested system includes pediatric-compatible components that allow for safe and reliable testing in young children. This instrument will directly support the work of multiple research labs within the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, while also fostering collaboration across campus and regionally. The equipment will advance multiple NIH-relevant research initiatives, including: (1) vestibular function across the lifespan; (2) identification of physiological markers of vestibular dysfunction in clinical populations (e.g., Meniere’s disease and auditory neuropathy); (3) vestibular neuroplasticity; and (4) computational modeling of vestibular responses. At least four primary investigators with active research programs will use the system, with additional faculty integrating it into future projects. In addition to its research impact, the system will be fully integrated into graduate-level education. Over 40 Doctor of Audiology (AuD) and PhD students annually will receive hands-on training in advanced vestibular assessment, data acquisition, and interpretation. The system will support classroom instruction, lab demonstrations, and student-led capstone and dissertation projects. These educational experiences will build clinical competence and research proficiency. In summary, acquisition of the Interacoustics VisualEyes 525b system will strengthen the University of Memphis’s research infrastructure, promote interdisciplinary collaboration across audiology, neuroscience, engineering, and healthcare, and advance evidence-based approaches to vestibular education, and care.

Trademark Products, Inc.

Musical Instruments and Games and Toys and Arts and Crafts and Educational Equipment and Materials and Accessories and Supplies

Sacramento Region Community Foundation

Sacramento Region Community Foundation ($300M in assets) supports nonprofits in CA through grants focused on education, community development, health, arts. Awards range from $2,000 to $100,000.

Friends of Little Saigon

April 30, 2025, will mark 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. To commemorate this date, FLS is dedicating our arts and culture program efforts towards collecting, preserving, and sharing the stories of Vietnamese refugees and their families through an oral history project titled `Saigon to Seattle.`

Salmon Bay Park Stewards

Salmon Bay Park Stewards (SBPS) will activate Salmon Bay Park located at 2001 NW Canoe Place with engaging summer events. In June we will host a community picnic, in July we will host a concert at the park with a coordinating arts and craft event for children, and in August we will host an all-ages movie night. These events will all have food and activities for children and will help build a sense of community around the park. This project will be completed by September 30, 2019.

FIC - John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences

Peru's HIV epidemic is concentrated in MSM, where high rates of stigma and discriminaton toward them have undermined treatment outcomes. Despite high diagnostic and linkage rates, MSM have low levels of ART initiation and viral suppression related to low retention in care. For MSM with HIV, multi-dimensional stigma related to sexual orientation, substance use disorders, sex work, multiple sexual partners, etc. undermine treatment efforts through numerous clinical interactions that have the potential to reinforce stigma and delay ART initiation. This grant proposes a transformative approach to reduce HIV-related stigma through a Behavioral Design Intervention (BDI) that utilizes same-day ART (SD-ART) protocols to streamline the treatment initiation process. Unlike other stigma-reduction interventions, BDIs operate at the organizational level, rather than at the clinician or patient level. Our strategy builds upon robust evidence that rapid-start ART (RS-ART) significantly increases ART initiation, retention and viral suppression, thus improving individual and public health. To address the entrenched stigma and operational barriers that persist in treatment initiation, this research will deploy innovative methodologies and technologies. We will first develop a tailored SD-ART protocol utilizing asynchronous online focus groups and flowcharting techniques to map the current ART initiation process and design a streamlined SD-ART protocol. This protocol will use choice architecture to streamline the ART initiation process by minimizing clinical interactions that can reinforce stigma. Using nominal group techniques (NGT), a mixed methods strategy, we will assess multi-level barriers and facilitators to SD-ART from the perspectives of patients (MSM), clinicians, and administrators. From this process, scripts for framing and nudging will be created to inform refinements to the SD-ART protocol to ensure it addresses the specific needs of MSM and thereby enhancing its effectiveness and acceptability. The SD-ART protocol tailored to MSM using behavioral design will be pilot-tested with 125 newly diagnosed MSM. This phase will include longitudinal dyadic analyses to measure changes in stigma, physician trust, social support, and psychological well-being. These insights will not only assess the protocol's impact but also guide further improvements, paving the way for a future implementation trial. Our approach is distinctively designed to reduce the stigma experienced by MSM in clinical settings. By restructuring the decision-making process to prioritize clinical indicators over subjective assessments, our intervention aims to foster a more supportive and non-discriminatory healthcare environment. We hypothesize that this will decrease both perceived and enacted stigma, thereby improving patient-level health outcomes while reducing negative stereotypes by clinicians as MSM succeed in their treatment. By integrating behavioral design into the ART initiation trajectory, this project represents a novel approach to addressing the complex challenges of HIV treatment in high-stigma contexts, offering significant potential for replication and scalability elsewhere.

San Gennaro Foundation of Seattle

On September 7th, 8th and 9th the San Gennaro Foundation of Seattle will host The San Gennaro Festival located at 1225 South Angelo Street. The Festival is a three day celebration of the flavors and arts of the Italian community. The festival will be held in historic Georgetown, where Italian immigrants settled when arriving to Seattle. The festival is free and open for all to attend.

Santa Barbara Foundation

Santa Barbara Foundation ($500M in assets) supports nonprofits in CA through grants focused on education, environment, arts, community development. Awards range from $5,000 to $150,000.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

PROJECT SUMMARY This grant application seeks funding for the 2026 Santa Cruz Developmental Biology Meeting, which will be held on the campus of University of California at Santa Cruz from August 24-28, 2026. This meeting is a biennial, grass-roots meeting organized by and for the scientific community working at the cutting edge of developmental biology. The Santa Cruz meeting, which has run continuously since 1992, occupies a unique niche by combining international reputation with a relatively small size (~150 attendees) and a wholly new line-up of invited speakers at each gathering. As detailed in our application, we have planned for considerable participation by graduate students and postdocs by including short talks, posters, two work- shops aimed at career issues, and a career-perspective talk from a prominent scientist whose storied career pathway epitomizes the multi-disciplinary nature of developmental biology. The meeting format is based around single-platform sessions and three non-overlapping poster sessions so that all participants are engaged with the same topic and activity for the entirety of the meeting. The 2026 SCDB meeting will occur from August 24-28 and is organized around the theme: “Biomedicine, Biomechanics, and the Biosphere.” Our central goal is to highlight the deep reach of developmental biology across distinct realms of science. To this end, we have invited a set of speakers who all explore developmental principles but are driven by distinct ends and thus apply distinct approaches to a wide range of organisms. As a group, these scientists use a wise repertoire of state-of-the-art approaches to probe critical aspects of development across a broad range of model organisms and organoid systems. The work discussed at this meeting will positively impact human health by generating knowledge that is critical to our understanding of congenital diseases and to the development of tissue engineering strategies and stem cell- based therapies, as well as bioengineering approaches to food production and famine prevention. A second major goal will be to provide a forum for a broad range of undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows to engage with and present their work to leaders in the field through talks, poster sessions, and informal discussions fostered by an isolated and relaxed campus setting.

Santa Fe Community Foundation

Santa Fe Community Foundation ($100M in assets) supports nonprofits in NM through grants focused on education, arts, community development, environment. Awards range from $1,000 to $50,000.

Saskatchewan Arts Board

The Saskatchewan Arts Board provides grants to professional artists and arts organizations for creation, production, and presentation of work across all disciplines.

OD - NIH Office of the Director

Three-dimensional imaging of preclinical and clinical samples to assess the amount, shape and quality of tissues is essential for research studies in musculoskeletal biology, regenerative medicine, and other fields. One established imaging technique for non-destructive assessment of specimens is microcomputed tomography (microCT), which utilizes the differential attenuation of X-rays by various tissues to provide high resolution (0.5 to 10 ìm) 3D images and to facilitate quantification of tissue morphology. MicroCT has been used extensively to characterize bone density and bone morphology, and is an indispensable tool for investigators in a variety of fields, including musculoskeletal biology, developmental biology, fracture healing, organ cross-talk, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Advances in imaging technology and contrast agents now allow the use of microCT for characterization of non-mineralized tissues (e.g. cartilage, tendon, & blood vessels), enabling broad usage of this technology. Here we propose to purchase a cabinet, cone beam, ultrahigh-resolution nano/microCT system (ìCT50, Scanco Medical AG). This advanced system acquires images at voxel sizes ranging from 0.5 to 100 ìm and can accommodate sample sizes up to 105 mm in diameter and 120 mm in height. The system is capable of high-throughput imaging due to an integrated automated sample changer, large X-ray detector and powerful computer workstation. The system will benefit a large group of 11 major and 14 other/minor users who have a track record of using microCT to advance their research. These investigators are funded by 23 current NIH research grants from 7 different NIH institutes (NIAMS, NIDDK, NICHD, NIA, NHLBI, NINDS, and NIDCR). The projected usage of the system by NIH-funded investigators is 90% of the accessible use time (AUT, 69% by major users and 21% by other/minor users). The new scanner will be replacing a 17-year-old microCT system that will no longer by supported by the manufacturer due to lack of access to replacement parts (including the x-ray tube, a critical component of the system). Furthermore, the computer workstation required to operate the machine is no longer produced, and any future repairs and service would need to be sourced by a 3rd party vendor. With strong institutional support, this new state-of-the-art nano/microCT system will be embedded in the Translational Imaging and Phenotyping Core, which is part of the NIH P30-funded Center for Musculoskeletal Research. Importantly, the PI has extensive expertise in use of this technology and has successfully operated this imaging core for over a decade. Altogether, the acquisition of a new nano/microCT system via this shared instrumentation grant will have an immediate and sustained benefit to investigators in the greater Boston area and beyond.

OD - NIH Office of the Director

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This application is a shared instrumentation grant from the Analytical Imaging Facility (AIF) at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine to acquire a new, advanced field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) with the ability to perform serial block-face imaging (SBF-SEM). The AIF supports many investigators at Einstein (143 Principal Investigator Laboratories in 2024), including many NIH funded investigators, by giving them access to state-of-the-art microscopy technologies that enhance cutting edge, collaborative, and multidisciplinary research. Since 2011, the AIF has had a Zeiss scanning electron microscope capable of 3D volume imaging with a total usage of 1987 hours from January 2024 through August 2024. Due to the age of the instrument, we have only been able to have a limited service contract on the microscope since 2023. This means that the vendor no longer guarantees availability of parts as part of the contract. The microscope had a component failure in September 2024 that the vendor has been unable to repair due to inability to obtain replacement parts. To continue to support the ongoing NIH funded biomedical research that relies on scanning electron microscopy, we need to replace the failed instrument with a new FE-SEM that can offer all the functions of our failed current microscope, including secondary electron imaging for fine surface detail as well as the capability of 3D volume reconstruction. For 3D volume imaging, the requested microscope has the capability of serial block face imaging. In this method, the sample surface is imaged, then a thin slice is removed, then the next image is acquired, resulting in the serial acquisition of a z-stack of the sample. The AIF has ongoing 3D volume projects for all the Major Users in this application. New image acquisition has been halted since the microscope has been down for 8 months. During this period, the AIF staff have been concentrating on image analysis of the collected data by developing expertise in segmentation and presentation of 3D models. A new microscope is urgently needed to enable these projects to move forward. Overall, acquisition of this advanced instrument will have a high impact on the NIH-funded biomedical research at Einstein, including the following major and minor user projects: fine structural aspects of atherosclerosis (Dr. Raiscos-Bernal), cardiovascular disease (Dr. Sibinga), spermatogenesis (Dr. Jenny), cellular response of cytotoxic chemotherapy on lymphoid organs (Dr. Karagiannis), autophagy (Dr. Singh), neurodegenerative disease (Dr. Willis) and diabetes (Dr. Santulli). There are also additional four minor user projects and 6+ labs currently using traditional (secondary electron surface imaging) scanning electron microscopy here at Einstein that will benefit from this technology.

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Project Summary and Abstract for the SEAL (Stopping Eczema and ALlergy) Study Food allergy (FA) is an epidemic among children in the U.S., U.K., and other countries. There is increasing evidence that epicutaneous allergen sensitization through a dysfunctional skin barrier results in allergic responses whereas early consumption of food allergens induces oral tolerance, as described by the dual allergen exposure hypothesis. In the Learning Early About Peanut LEAP and Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) studies, dry skin and the severity and the duration of eczema or atopic dermatitis (AD) in the 1st year of life were predictors of peanut allergy (PA) and sensitization. In the SEAL study, we aim to intervene very early in a high-risk infant group, as soon they have the earliest onset of dry skin or eczema in the 1st 10 weeks of life, but before they have developed allergies. By reducing the duration and severity of eczema and preventing eczema exacerbations, we aim to prevent epicutaneous allergen sensitization and significantly reduce the incidence of FA. Our primary objective is to test if the combination of trilipid skin emollient use early in life with proactive topical steroids decreases the prevalence of FA compared to controls. We propose a randomized (1:1), controlled trial design for infants with dry skin or eczema (n=750 total) to compare the effect of proactive treatment against a reactive treatment group for the prevention of FA, by reducing dry skin, and the severity and duration of eczema in early infancy. We will test our hypothesis with the following specific aims using world-class clinical research units known for excellent recruitment and retention of patient cohorts, mechanistic testing, and state of the art research. Specific Aim 1: To determine if proactive versus reactive treatment will reduce the occurrence of FA in a prospective, randomized, and controlled intervention trial of infants with eczema. Specific Aim 2: To test whether the skin of children in the proactive treatment will show improved epithelial barrier markers with increased commensal bacteria colonization. Specific Aim 3: To determine whether proactive treatment will be associated with protective immune responses. If the aims are achieved, our proposal will make a clinical impact by providing a new, clinical strategy to prevent the occurrence of FA in young infants that present with the earliest signs of dry skin or eczema.

Show Your Art

This project is an art walk info session series hosted by Sarah Miller of Show Your Art and Art Walk representatives in three neighborhoods in Seattle. The Downtown Art Walk session will be held at Slip Gallery, 2301 1st Ave, the Uptown Art Walk session will be held at Fishbowl Gallery, 424 2nd Ave W Suite #330, and the Wallingford Art Walk session location is yet to be determined. These free in-person sessions will give artists hands-on guidance with navigating the local Art Walk landscape including talking directly to venue owners, Art Walk representatives, and networking opportunities with other artists. Attendees will learn how to approach venues, understand submission criteria, and build visibility among their peers, all while activating and highlighting participating businesses. Each session connects artists with peers, builds neighborhood cultural density, and promotes accessibility within Seattle’s vibrant art ecosystem. This project will be completed by March 31, 2026.

Seattle Community Puppet Day

Seattle Community Puppet day is being coordinated by a collection of Seattle-based puppet artists to welcome visiting puppeteers from across the Pacific Northwest as they attend the Puppeteers of America Pacific Northwest Regional Festival and will partner with them to provide a neighborhood clean-up, free arts and cultural activities for the public, and a local community fair event. Together with members of the public, they will clean up litter over Capitol Hill on Saturday, August 6th 9:30-11:30 a.m. before welcoming the community to a FREE fun-filled community fair at Seattle Central College, 1701 Broadway, at noon. The fair will provide free performances, arts and crafts activities, local tabling, and more! This project will be completed by September 30, 2022.

Seattle Hoodoo Society

Led by the Seattle Hoodoo Society, Altared Roots, and Sacred Community Connection, the Seattle Hoodoo Arts and Culture Festival is Seattle’s first annual no-cost celebration of the African-American healing tradition of Hoodoo and its role in Black culture. Attendees will learn about the tradition, how Hoodoo has served as a tool of survival in the Black community spanning over 400 years, and be immersed in local artists’ expression of this resilience. The festival is on November 15th from 12 - 5 pm at the Yehaw Indigenous Creatives Collective located at 9666 51st Ave S. The festival will feature artists and performers showcasing art rooted in the Hoodoo tradition, healers who will offer traditional services to the community free-of-charge, and workshops that further educate people on this practice and its history. While this event centers the Black community, all are welcome to learn about this rich and vibrant tradition. This project will be completed by 1/31/26.