NREF Announces Research Grant Recipient in Partnership with the StacheStrong

The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Section on Tumors are excited to announce Brandyn Castro, MD, as the recipient of the inaugural StacheStrong and NREF Research Grant on behalf of the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors. This grant was funded through a partnership with StacheStrong, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charity focused on raising funds and awareness for brain cancer research. StacheStrong has raised considerable funds for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain cancer research since inception and has become a beacon of hope for countless families facing this currently incurable disease. Its mission is to flip the script on GBM by funding multiple clinical trials. All of this is done in loving memory of co-founder G.J. Gerner, who wanted to help others who fight a battle similar to his.

Dr. Castro’s research, “Developing a patient-derived B-cell-based vaccine, a novel therapeutic agent for glioblastomas,” is receiving funding in the amount of $50,000 through this partnership. This research is to be conducted at Northwestern University Medical Center. Regarding her research opportunity, Castro says:

“I am deeply honored to receive the StacheStrong and NREF Research Grant on behalf of the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors. I have been dedicated to brain tumor research for many years and plan to continue research in this field throughout my career. This grant will help me continue the work of Catalina Lee Chang, PhD, by developing a B-cell-based vaccine for the treatment of glioblastomas in the lab of Maciej Lesniak, MD. We hope that this treatment will make a dent in this devastating disease, and possibly other brain tumors. My goals align well with the StacheStrong foundation and I can only hope to make G.J. proud and honor his legacy the best I can.”

For further information about grant opportunities, visit https://www.tumorsection.org/funding-research/.   

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About the NREF

The Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization created in 1980 by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) to provide education to neurosurgeons at all stages in their careers and support research identifying links between best practices and improved outcomes in patient care. Through voluntary public donations, corporate support and donations from allied groups, the NREF supports endeavors that impact the lives of those suffering from epilepsy, stroke, brain tumors, spinal disorders, sports-related head injuries, lower back pain, Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.

For more information about the NREF, visit www.nref.org.