We are honored to announce the recipients of the 2025 TBF Brain Aneurysm Preventative Research Grant Program! We are supporting three outstanding projects led by dedicated physicians and scientists who are pushing the boundaries of aneurysm research. Their innovative approaches align with our mission to identify aneurysms before they rupture, saving lives through early detection and preventative strategies.
Congratulations to Dr. Sean Polster and his team at the University of Chicago!
Sean Polster, MD and Sammy Allaw will be researching the “Quantitative Imaging of Aneurysm Wall Permeability Using Ktrans to Identify Unstable Intracranial Aneurysms.” The objective of their research is to explore the use of Ktrans, a permeability biomarker measured via MRI with contrast, to identify high-risk intracranial aneurysms. Their goal is to validate Ktrans as a non-invasive diagnostic tool to detect unstable aneurysms before they rupture. This could represent a significant breakthrough in patient monitoring and risk assessment. Read the full blog here & watch our TBF interview!
Congratulations to Dr. Edgar Samiengo at the University of Iowa!
Edgar A Samaniego, MD and Andres Gudino, MD are researching the “Radiomic-Histologic Correlation of Aneurysm Vessel Wall Biological Composition Using High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Ex-Vivo Circle of Willis.” They aim to correlate high-resolution MRI findings with histological data from the aneurysmal wall. This project seeks to identify imaging biomarkers that indicate biological features of aneurysm instability, a critical step toward developing safer, non-invasive tools for identifying high-risk patients. Read the full blog here & watch our TBF interview!
Congratulations to Dr. Peyton Nisson at the Barrow Neurological Institute!
Peyton Nisson, MD will be researching the association between “The Uterus and Cerebral Aneurysms; A Novel Organ-Hormone Axis in the Pathogenesis of Aneurysms.” Dr. Nisson’s research investigates a fascinating new angle: the connection between reproductive organs and aneurysm formation. By studying VegF levels in post-menopausal mice with different surgical interventions (ovariectomy vs. ovariohysterectomy), Dr. Nisson aims to uncover the hormonal and vascular factors that contribute to the higher incidence of aneurysms in post-menopausal women. This novel organ-hormone axis could open up new pathways for targeted prevention and treatment. Read the full blog here & watch our TBF interview!
We are incredibly excited to support these groundbreaking projects and will be honoring our 2025 grant recipients at the HoneyBash Gala on October 18th at the Union League of Philadelphia. Join us in celebrating their work and our shared commitment to preventative brain research.
Introducing TBF’s First AVM Research Grant Recipient
This year also marks an exciting milestone for TBF: We are awarding our first-ever research grant focused on Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs).
Congratulations to Dr. Andrew Hale at the University of Alabama at Birmingham!
Dr. Hale’s research focuses on the “Molecular diagnostics for personalized pharmacotherapy in brain arteriovenous malformations.” Dr. Hale’s study focuses on collecting bAVM tissue using metal coils, enabling molecular analysis to detect genetic mutations. The long-term goal? To close the translational gap between AVM diagnosis and targeted treatment, paving the way for personalized drug therapies that could revolutionize care for patients with brain AVMs. Read the full blog here & watch our TBF interview!
We are deeply honored to fund this pioneering AVM research project, reinforcing our commitment to advancing treatments for all of our brain aneurysm patients.
Looking Ahead
On behalf of the TBF Team, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of our 2025 grant recipients. We are proud to invest in research that has the potential to save lives and transform how we diagnose, monitor, and treat brain aneurysms and AVMs.
Together, we are moving closer to a world where these silent threats can be identified and stopped before they strike, eliminating the destruction they cause.
