Connecticut Children’s Connection Awards Two $60,000 Research Grants

At the Annual Funding Selection event on April 7, 2025, Connecticut Children’s Connection Visionary members gathered to hear presentations from four Connecticut Children’s researchers and to award two $60,000 research grants.

The four finalists were:

Pediatric otolaryngologist Amy Hughes, MD: Developing a digital tool to educate otolaryngologists on sialorrhea management.
Pediatric gastroenterologist Jonathan A. Salazar, MD: Exploring the relationship between the intestinal epithelium and microbiome in IBD
Nurse Allison Pfeffer, RN, BSN: Empowering nurses to lead advance care planning conversations
Senior research scientist Sanjukta Majumder, PhD: Investigating IGF-1 gene therapy for pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction

After intense deliberation, the $60,000 grants were awarded to Allison Pfeffer and Dr. Majumder.

Allison Pfeffer: First Nurse-Researcher to Win a Connection Grant

Allison’s project, Empowering nurses to lead advance care planning conversations, focuses on equipping nurses with the education and tools needed to lead advance care planning (ACP) across a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians. By fostering early, supportive conversations around end-of-life care, the project aims to ensure high quality end-of-life care that meets the needs of each unique child and family.

Dr. Sanjukta Majumder’s Project

Dr. Majumder’s project, Investigating IGF-1 gene therapy for pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction, will investigate the potential of IGF-1 gene therapy as a novel intervention for pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. By advancing a targeted, biologically driven therapy, the project aims to transform the standard of care and improve long-term health outcomes for both mothers and their infants.

We congratulate all of the finalists on their visionary work and look forward to the impact their research will have on the lives of countless children and families.

Philanthropy has always been important to medical research—and with federal research funding now under threat, it’s more critical than ever. If you’re interested in supporting today’s researchers and making a difference that will improve children’s health for generations to come, Connecticut Children’s Connection is for you! Come meet us at one of our upcoming prospective member events and learn how you can get involved.

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