# Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Cross-Talk with the Nervous System - NOSI Diversity Supplement

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $354,376

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is one of the greatest contributors to low back pain, yet how the IVD can
generate pain remains poorly understood. The parent grant will pursue Specific Aims to study the development
of temporal and spatial changes in neuronal function and their “cross-talk” with the degenerating IVD in a mouse
model of lumbar IVD degeneration.
(1) We request supplement funds to support the mentorship of one post-baccalaurate trainee in research related
to the parent grant to enhance her preparedness for applications to a doctoral program. We also request
supplement funds to support a second pre-doctoral trainee who will bring strengths of micro-molding and iPSCs
differentiation to the in vitro work proposed in the parent grant. For both trainees, we have planned independent
research, scientific workshops, fellowship writing, scientific communication and national travel to make the most
of this 1-year supplement period. (2) We also request supplement funds to support the goals of a PI-organized,
multi-institution Rising BME Scholars Regional Conference (2022-2024). This conference is a partnership of 10
universities, mostly in the Midwest region, intended to retain Ph.D.-level research trainees in academic research
careers. We request funds to evaluate 3-year conference outcomes, including job placement, success with
fellowship and independent funding, experience with other scholars’ development workshops, and ratings of the
conference programming. Working with professionals of an evaluation center, the conference organizers plan to
publish results to illustrate a model of inter-institutional collaboration to support trainee success. We believe the
process and outcomes will be of broad interest to the biomedical research community, for the potential to
increase minoritized scientist representation in research. (3) Based on the premise that research mentors should
use their position to advance diversity in academia, we believe an effective mentor must be an effective
communicator. For this reason, funds are requested to bring a 2-day scientific communication workshop to
campus, to educate 32 faculty mentors and trainees in methods of scientific communication towards the goal of
strengthening their advocacy skills for research and for STEM. (4) Finally, supplemental funds are requested to
bring engineering undergraduates, post-baccalaureate trainees and junior PhDs to the Annual Biomedical
Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) in November 2024, and a separate cohort to the
Annual Conference of oSTEM in October 2024. Completion of this work will promote retention of emerging
scholars in research-focused careers, enhance the quality of faculty research mentorship, and provide critical
support to trainees on the parent grant.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11036143
- **Project number:** 3R01AR077678-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Lori A. Setton
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $354,376
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11036143

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11036143, Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Cross-Talk with the Nervous System - NOSI Diversity Supplement (3R01AR077678-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11036143. Licensed CC0.

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