# BLRD Research Career Scientist Award Application

> **NIH VA IK6** · RLR VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · —

## Abstract

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in our veterans puts them at elevated risk of fracture and
fracture-associated death. Nearly 1 of every 3 veterans has CKD, fracture risk in persons with CKD is 4x higher
than the age-matched general population, and persons who fracture with CKD have longer hospitalization and
higher mortality rates than patients without CKD who fracture. The work of my laboratory throughout my career
has been focused on causes of bone fragility and assessment of current and potential future approaches for
strengthening bone to reduce fracture risk. Current work in my laboratory is focused on two key concepts. The
first, supported through my Merit award, is testing the overall hypothesis that reversal of cortical porosity with
enhanced material quality can combine to improve bone mechanical properties in CKD. Using two
complementary animal models of CKD that develop robust cortical porosity, we are using combinations of
clinically relevant therapies and studying the morphological, material and mechanical properties of the bone. A
parallel line of work supported by an NIH-R01 grant is focused on precision medicine approaches to CKD.
Specifically, we are testing the hypothesis in a clinical setting that microRNA can serve as a biomarker for
differentiating the skeletal manifestation of disease. These experiments will utilize novel biomarker analyses in
combination with standard (histological assessment of bone turnover) and cutting-edge (Raman/nano-
indentation assessment of bone quality) approaches that have high translational potential. Collectively, this work
will serve as a platform on which to build a clinical regimen for reducing the skeletal burden and improving the
quality of life of veterans suffering from CKD. Complementary to my research program I have purposefully built
a program focused on institutional/professional service. The goals of this program are to help the next generation
of researchers. As Co-Director of Workforce Development for our Indiana Clinical and Translational Science
Institute I have built/supported programs to assist the workforce ranging from high school through mid-career
faculty. This work, which bridges to our local VA, includes programs to engage socioeconomically disadvantaged
and/or historically under-represented populations gain research experience and programs focused on supporting
early career researchers’ growth toward independence. Through both my research and service, my goal is to
improve health among the Veteran population, and among the public in general, through both my own work and
the work of others.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10807432
- **Project number:** 1IK6BX006479-01
- **Recipient organization:** RLR VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthew R Allen
- **Activity code:** IK6 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-10-01 → 2028-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10807432

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10807432, BLRD Research Career Scientist Award Application (1IK6BX006479-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10807432. Licensed CC0.

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