# Platelet-Leukocyte Interactions in Sepsis

> **NIH NIH K24** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2024 · $121,233

## Abstract

This is a revised NHLBI K24 application for Dr. Matthew Rondina’s Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-
Oriented Research. At the University of Utah, Dr. Rondina is the contact PI for a funded NHLBI R01 and VA
Merit Award supporting the longitudinal recruitment of sepsis patients, as well as platelet isolation, clinical data
collection, and outcomes analyses. He mentors a large and growing cadre of clinical investigators from diverse
disciplines. Dr. Rondina’s overall aims are to 1) improve his skills as a mentor and therefore serve more
effectively as a role model for, and mentor to, junior investigators devoted to patient-oriented research; 2)
determine how sepsis upregulates antigen presentation by MHCI on platelets, thereby contributing to CD8+ T
cell suppression and immune dysfunction; and 3) engage in focused and carefully selected career development
activities to increase his knowledge of T cell biology and immunology – improving his ability to mentor clinical
trainees in this area. This application describes career development, mentoring, and research activities that
would be executed in the next five years under protected time afforded by this NHLBI K24 award. Dr. Rondina’s
mentees will learn and apply innovative technologies to study platelets and leukocytes in sepsis patients and
appropriate control participants, and to determine if platelet/leukocyte changes in sepsis are associated with
clinical outcomes. This patient-oriented research project will serve as a platform for Dr. Rondina to expand
his mentorship for trainees to engage in patient-oriented research on their path towards successful,
independent careers. Dr. Rondina will engage in career development activities during this project period,
including 1) improving his mentoring skills for junior clinician investigators, including underrepresented minorities,
and 2) expanding his knowledge of immunology and CD8+ T cell biology. These activities will expand Dr.
Rondina’s mentoring capacity, effectiveness, and reach over the five-year award period. He has ample access
to mentees through his work with the VPCAT and Molecular Medicine Programs, the Utah StARR Program,
and the Utah CTSA KL2 and TL1 Programs. In addition, Dr. Rondina will interface with clinical fellows in
subspecialty fellowships pertinent to the research proposed (e.g. Pulmonary and Critical Care, Hematology,
Infectious Disease), with students in the University of Utah MD and MD/PhD Programs, and with junior
investigators from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. The K24 award will enable Dr. Rondina to
significantly expand his active mentoring roles and patient-oriented research and will lead to the training of
the next-generation of biomedical scientists.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10902022
- **Project number:** 5K24HL155856-04
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthew Thomas Rondina
- **Activity code:** K24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $121,233
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10902022

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10902022, Platelet-Leukocyte Interactions in Sepsis (5K24HL155856-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10902022. Licensed CC0.

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