Pediatric Pharmacy Association Small Research Grant
Purpose
The Pediatric Pharmacy Association Small Research Grant supports research in neonatal and/or pediatric medication use conducted by pharmacists. The primary purpose of the research award is to improve the safe and effective use of medications in children. Research projects can comprise a wide range of medication-use topics, including but not limited to technology, safety, and pharmacotherapy.
Eligibility Criteria
The proposed research must involve health services research in neonatal and/or pediatric medication use that is conducted by a licensed pharmacist in the country in which they practice. In the application process and grant progress reports, evidence must be included regarding the support and involvement of the mentor/advisor. The proposed study must be approved by an institutional review board (IRB) at the institution at which the research will occur. Evidence of IRB submission must be provided to PPA with the submitted proposal. Grant funds will not be disbursed until evidence of IRB approval has been received. Multidisciplinary research teams are strongly encouraged. The grant recipients agree to present their results at a PPA conference (encore presentation is acceptable) and publish the results of their research in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Publication in the Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics is encouraged.
Funding Information
Up to two grants (up to $2,000 each) may be awarded this year. Grants are awarded to provide funding for specific pediatric research related to medication use and are not intended for long-term support of research programs.
Funds may be applied to:
- Salary support for consultants such as a biostatistician
- Institutional Review Board fees
- Supplies necessary to complete the proposed study
- Travel necessary to conduct the proposed study
- Patient expenses/reimbursement for participation
- Travel to disseminate research results (NOTE: Travel may not be the ONLY source of fund allocation requested. At least one of the above or an alternative financial need must be requested to be eligible for the grant.)
Funds may not be applied to:
- Salaries and/or benefits
- Ongoing general operating expenses
- Purchase of permanent equipment or facilities (or other capital costs)
- Endowment contributions
- Stipends/loans
Application Process
Applications for 2025 are now closed.
Proposal Review
Grants will be awarded based on merits of the proposal as listed below:
- RATIONALE (10 points maximum)
- SIGNIFICANCE (25 points maximum)
- METHODS (25 points maximum)
- CAREER DEVELOPMENT (10 points maximum)
- INVESTIGATORS (10 points maximum)
- PATIENTS AND FACILITIES; FEASIBILITY (10 points maximum)
- BUDGET (5 points maximum)
- APPLICATION PROCEDURES (5 points maximum)
A review committee will consist of members from the PPA Research Committee. The review committee will receive and review proposals, as well as determine awardees. Notifications will be sent in December.
Past Grantees of the Pediatric Small Research Grant*
2024
Hannah M. Jenkins, PharmD
University of Chicago Medicine – Comer Children’s Hospital
Project: Analysis of newborn serum gentamicin concentrations after once daily dosing of gentamicin in birthing parents
Ali Blaine Shannon, PharmD
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital/UTHSC, Memphis, TN
Project: Evaluation of potential erroneously labeled extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production and clinical response of empiric third-generation cephalosporin treatment at a tertiary care children’s hospital
2023
Nikolas Dotolo, PharmD
St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO
Project: Novel Use of Angiotensin-II for Fluid and Vasopressor Refractory Pediatric Septic Shock
Aislinn O’Kane, PharmD
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Project: Development of a Pediatric Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model for Dexmedetomidine
2022
Gustavo Rey Alvira-Arill, PharmD
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
Project: Incidence of acute kidney injury in pediatric patients with vancomycin after transitioning from trough to AUC/MIC-based monitoring for serious MRSA infections
Sun Yang, BSPharm, MS, PhD
Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA
Project: Impact of the COVID pandemic on real-world dispensing of anti-ADHD medications in California
2021
Emma Lynne Wysocki, PharmD
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
Project: Population pharmacokinetics of high dose extended interval amikacin in critically ill children
James Fly, PharmD
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital/ University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN
Project: Comparing Outcomes Between Antibiotic Regimens for Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Seerat Kapoor, PharmD
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital/ University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN Project: Comparison of fungal infection rates among patients receiving histamime2 receptor antagonist or proton pump inhibitors in the NICU- A multicenter database analysis
2020
Sin Yin Lim, PharmD
Clinical and Translational Science in Pediatric Pharmacotherapy, University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City, OK Project: Evaluation of caffeine dosing regimens and the impact of developmental pharmacokinetics in neonates with apnea of prematurity
***2016-2019 Program was suspended***
2015
Laurie Wright, PharmD
Community Regional Medical Center, Fresno, CA
Project: Efficacy of a pharmacist-managed epoetin alfa protocol for anemia of prematurity
2014
Kaitlin Hughes, PharmD
The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK
Project: Comparison of amikacin pharmacokinetics in neonates pre and post a dosing protocol change
Nicholas Dillman, PharmD
Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX
Project: Evaluation of the effects of extracorporeal life support on antiepileptic drug serum
2013
Caren Liviskie, PharmD
St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis. MO
Project: Protein and energy intake during the first week of life and brain growth and development in preterm neonates
2012
Deborah Raithel, PharmD
University of Illinois- Chicago, Chicago, IL
Project: Neonatal indomethacin for prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage: a study of plasma concentrations, pharmacogenomic factors, and outcomes
2011
Oscar Rafael Herrera, PharmD
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
Project: Optimum concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on bile acid induced apoptosis in HepG2 cell
2010
Liana Mark, PharmD
The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Project: Gentamicin pharmacokinetics in neonates undergoing therapeutic hypothermia
Emma Tillman, PharmD
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
Project: Concentration dependent effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on bile acid induced apoptosis in HepG2 cell
Investigator
2009
Keliana O’Mara, PharmD
Women’s Hospital of Greensboro, NC
Project: Impact of Gaviscon on blood aluminum levels in preterm neonates receiving treatment for gastroesophageal reflux
Emma Tillman, PharmD
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
Project: Parenteral Nutrition Associated Liver Disease: Early Markers and Therapy with enteral omega-3 Supplementation
Past Grantees of the Neonatal Small Research Grant*
2021
Project Title: Comparing Outcomes Between Antibiotic Regimens for Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Investigator: James Fly, PharmD, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital/ University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN
Project Title: Comparison of fungal infection rates among patients receiving histamime2 receptor antagonist or proton pump inhibitors in the NICU- A multicenter database analysis
Investigator: Seerat Kapoor, PharmD, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital/ University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN
2020
Project Title: Evaluation of caffeine dosing regimens and the impact of developmental pharmacokinetics in neonates with apnea of prematurity
Investigator: Sin Yin Lim, Clinical and Translational Science in Pediatric Pharmacotherapy, University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City, OK
***2016-2019 Program was suspended ***
2015
Project Title: Efficacy of a pharmacist-managed epoetin alfa protocol for anemia of prematurity
Investigator: Laurie Wright, PharmD; PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Resident, Community Regional Medical Center, Fresno, CA
2014
Project Title: Comparison of amikacin pharmacokinetics in neonates pre and post a dosing protocol change
Investigator: Kaitlin Hughes, PharmD; PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Resident, The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK
Project Title: Evaluation of the effects of extracorporeal life support on antiepileptic drug serum
Investigator: Nicholas Dillman, PharmD; PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Resident, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX
2013
Project Title: Protein and energy intake during the first week of life and brain growth and development in preterm neonates
Investigator: Caren Liviskie, PharmD; PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Resident, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis. MO
2012
Project Title: Neonatal indomethacin for prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage: a study of plasma concentrations, pharmacogenomic factors, and outcomes
Investigator: Deborah Raithel, PharmD; PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Resident, University of Illinois- Chicago, Chicago, IL
2011
Project Title: Optimum concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on bile acid induced apoptosis in HepG2 cell
Investigator: Oscar Rafael Herrera, PharmD; Fellow, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
2010
Project Title: Gentamicin pharmacokinetics in neonates undergoing therapeutic hypothermia
Investigator: Liana Mark, PharmD; PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Resident, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Project Title: Concentration dependent effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on bile acid induced apoptosis in HepG2 cell
Investigator: Emma Tillman, PharmD; Fellow, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
2009
Project Title: Impact of Gaviscon on blood aluminum levels in preterm neonates receiving treatment for gastroesophageal reflux
Investigator: Keliana O’Mara, PharmD; Neonatal Pharmacology Fellow, Women’s Hospital of Greensboro, NC
Project Title: Parenteral Nutrition Associated Liver Disease: Early Markers and Therapy with enteral omega-3 Supplementation
Investigator: Emma Tillman, PharmD; Fellow, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
*The Pediatric Small Research Grant and Neonatal Small Research Grant were merged in 2024