In early August 2005, the Deafness Research Foundation (DRF) awarded more than $400,000 in research grants to 20 well-deserving scientists. The work of these researchers, to restore or protect hearing health and uncover the mystery of balance disorders, was made possible by the generosity of DRF supporters.
In the last 47 years, DRF donor support – big and small – has amounted to more than $22.5 million and made possible the awarding of more than 1,850 grants.
First-Year Grant Recipients
Funded July 2005 - June 2006
Micheal L. Dent, Ph.D.
SUNY at Buffalo
Complex Sound Perception in Birds
Results will increase knowledge on how acoustic traumas affect hearing.
Heather Jensen-Smith, Ph.D.
Creighton University
Relative Contributions of Lateral Wall Components to Outer Hair Cell Mechanics
Results will contribute to the development of new prevention and treatment strategies for outer hair cells.
Randy J. Kulesza Jr., Ph.D.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Organization of the Human Superior Olivary Complex
Results will help define approaches to overcoming hearing loss and pursue improvements in hearing prostheses.
Jeifu Zheng, Ph.D.
Oregon Health & Science University
Modulation of Cochlear Amplifier by Outer Hair Cell Stiffness
Results will guide sensorineural hearing loss prevention and treatment efforts in clinical practice.
John A. Germiller, M.D., Ph.D.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Nerve Promoting Factors from the Early Embryonic Inner Ear
Study aims to identify substances that may prove therapeutically useful in the diseased ear and consequently improve performance of cochlear implants.
Justin C. Grindley, Ph.D.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Control and Function of FGF10 in the Developing Inner Ear
Results may help identify the genetic lesions responsible for human inner ear defects.
Lina M. Mullen, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego
Evaluation of Developmental Neurite Guidance Cues for Spiral Ganglion Neurons, Using an Artificial Organ of Corti
Results will provide a greater understanding of how nerve cells grow, to help better connect cochlear implants and nerve cells, and, later, regenerated hair cells.
Wei Sun, M.S.
Center for Hearing and Deafness, SUNY Buffalo
Functional Changes of Spiral Ganglion Neurons Induced by Hair Cell Loss
Study may yield important information to the development of cochlear implants.
Thomas Weber, Ph.D.
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
A Knock-in Model to Study Prestin Regulation by Thyroid Hormone
Result will provide insight into the genetic mechanism underlying the role of thyroid hormones in cochlear function development.
R. Keith Duncan, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
Dexamethasone Effects on BK channel Expression in Hair Cells
Results will lay groundwork using dexamethasone as a clinical treatment for auditory deficits.
Renewing Grant Recipients
Funded July 2005 - June 2006
Katherine Rennie, Ph.D.
University of Colorado
Mechanoelectrical and Basolateral Currents in Type II Vestibular Hair Cells
Results will potentially provide targets for future therapeutic interventions for balance disorders.
Duck O. Kim, D.Sc.
University of Connecticut
Adaptative Plasticity of the Barn-Owl Auditory Localization System
Results may aid in developing improved rehabilitative methods for people suffering from neurological problems.
Luis C. Populin, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Selective Listening: Neural Mech-anisms in Primates
Results will increase knowledge of neural mechanisms that affect auditory attention.
Paul Webster, Ph.D.
House Ear Institute
Bacterial Persistence in Recurrent Otitis Media
Results may aid in developing a new agent to support or replace antibiotic therapy for otitis media.
Ricardo Cristobal, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical College of Wisconsin
Gene Expression in Hair Cell Precursors from the Rat Vestibular Sensory Epithelia
The results of this study may provide clues to pharmacological strategies for hair cell regeneration.
Tzy-Wen L. Gong, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
Role of Ubiquitin Ligase UBE3B in Response to Noise Trauma in the Chick Inner Ear
This project will possibly lead to greater understanding of the molecular consequences of noise trauma and open the door to repair and regeneration mechanisms.
Philip M. Kelley, Ph.D.
Boys Town National Research Hospital
Association of Otoferlin with Inner Hair Cell Membrane Repair
Results will aid in understanding how gene mutations disrupt the auditory process.
Michael D. Weston, Ph.D.
Boys Town National Research Hospital
Molecular Characterization of the Usher Syndrome Type IIc Gene, VLGR1
Results will increase knowledge about the molecular and cellular function of VLGR1, and how its dysfunction contributes to the distinct sensory impairment of Usher Syndrome Type II.
Mei Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Florida
Protection of Aminoglycoside Ototoxicity
Results will increase knowledge of gentamicin-induced hair cell death and a way to prevent hair cell loss.
