# MERRIT: Multidisciplinary Engineering and Renal Research for Innovation of Technology

> **NIH NIH R25** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2021 · $139,189

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Trainees with engineering and technological backgrounds have been traditionally underrepresented in the
kidney research field. We propose a new research educational program entitled MERRIT: Multidisciplinary
Engineering and Renal Research for Innovation of Technology as a joint venture between Mount Sinai Division
of Nephrology and Cooper Union School of Engineering. Our program will have three major foci: (1) building
sustainable awareness of clinical and patient needs in the kidney field among engineering trainees; (2) creating
innovative team-based and individual research experiences for undergraduate and graduate engineering
students; and (3) organize and disseminate pedagogical and educational lessons from the program through
web and media such that other institutions can develop similar programs successfully. We have assembled a
mentoring team comprising physician scientists and transplant nephrologists and basic scientists in the kidney
field as well as engineering faculty from electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering departments.
Mentors with complementary skills from the two institutions will supervise patient-centered student-initiated
design projects as well investigator-initiated individual kidney research projects. Through achievement of our
aims, we will generate a sustainable pipeline for training of future kidney researchers and nephrologists that
have a solid engineering background.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10127634
- **Project number:** 5R25DK124917-02
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Evren U. AZELOGLU
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $139,189
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10127634

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10127634, MERRIT: Multidisciplinary Engineering and Renal Research for Innovation of Technology (5R25DK124917-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10127634. Licensed CC0.

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