Global Parents for Eczema Research (GPER) Awards Two Grants to Advance Childhood Eczema Prevention

Santa Barbara, CA, October 15, 2024 - Global Parents for Eczema Research (GPER), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children suffering from eczema (atopic dermatitis, AD), announced the funding of two groundbreaking research projects as part of its 2024 Childhood Eczema Prevention Grant program. These grants will each provide up to $25,000 to support clinical research focused on preventing eczema in children.

Eczema affects up to 20% of children worldwide and there is an urgent need for new insights into the prevention of this chronic condition which in its most severe form, has a greater impact on children's quality of life than cystic fibrosis, diabetes, or kidney disease. The two funded projects aim to explore novel approaches to preventing eczema in its early stages, potentially reducing the risk of allergic conditions and improving long-term outcomes for children globally. The 2024 grantees are:

Dr. Carina Venter of the University of Colorado will investigate the association between dietary fat intake and skin lipidomics in children with and without eczema, with the aim of identifying nutritional interventions that may reduce the risk of AD development. Through innovative techniques, the research will explore the association between diet and skin health in both children with and without eczema, potentially leading to preventative dietary recommendations for at-risk children.

Dr. Theodora Karagounis from NYU Langone Health will investigate the relationship between gut microbiome maturation and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in children with AD. By focusing on the role of S. aureus as a disruptor of healthy gut microbiome development, this research aims to elucidate potential microbiome-based strategies to prevent AD. This could lay the groundwork for future therapeutic interventions targeting the gut microbiome in infants at risk of eczema.

"GPER is proud to support and fund these two innovative studies," said Korey Capozza, Executive Director of GPER. "Investment in this research reflects our commitment to advancing science that will help us realize our vision to prevent - or even cure - eczema by 2030."

These grants align with GPER's strategic goal of promoting research that focuses on primary and secondary prevention of AD. Both projects are set to begin in November 2024, with results expected to contribute to peer-reviewed scientific publications and provide a foundation for future research into the prevention of AD.

Media Contact:
Korey Capozza, MPH
Executive Director, Global Parents for Eczema Research
1117 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
korey@gper.org
805-232-4479

About Global Parents for Eczema Research (GPER): GPER is a global, grassroots, non-profit organization whose mission is to end the suffering of children with eczema by advancing research and empowering families. For more information: www.gper.org.

This release was published on openPR.