LSU Health New Orleans has been awarded more than $14 million through two major federal grants to advance research in cancer, neuroscience, HIV/AIDS, and alcohol-related health impacts.
“As one of Louisiana’s top biomedical research institutions, our mission is to pair innovation with patient care,” said LSU Health Chancellor Dr. Steve Nelson. “These new multi-year studies reflect the extraordinary work of our faculty and their dedication to shaping the future of medicine.”
Dr. Patricia Molina, Senior Associate Dean for Research in the School of Medicine, received a $7.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue the work of the Comprehensive Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Research Center (CARC), which has been continuously funded since 1991. Her team will examine how alcohol use affects individuals living with HIV/AIDS, particularly those facing age-related conditions, with the goal of improving health outcomes and informing new treatment approaches.
In addition, Dr. Sunyoung Kim, Professor of Genetics, was awarded a $7.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support her team’s pioneering work in adaptive nanomotor development. This five-year project could transform the way physicians predict responses to cancer therapies and neurological treatments while accelerating the transition from laboratory discoveries to real-world applications. The grant will also fund the training of early-career scientists to bring research innovations to market, bolstering both patient care and the regional workforce.
“These awards highlight not only the remarkable leadership of Dr. Molina and Dr. Kim but also their role in mentoring the next generation of researchers,” noted Dr. Richard DiCarlo, Dean of the School of Medicine. “Their work is making a real difference for patients and communities.”
Together, the two grants demonstrate LSU Health New Orleans’ leadership in biomedical discovery and its commitment to addressing urgent health challenges. By combining cutting-edge research, collaboration, and education, the institution continues to turn science into solutions that improve lives.
For more on LSU Health research initiatives, visit LSU Health Research.
