June 26, 2026
The Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM) and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute (MolES) awarded two UW faculty-led teams Pilot Fellowship Funding.
“These awards support projects initiated through the 2026 ISCRM-MolES Scientific Exchange and are intended to launch new collaborations between the two institutes to develop technologies that will address the root causes of disease, along with creating new opportunities for trainees,” said Suzie Pun, Washington Research Foundation Professor of Bioengineering and director of MolES.
Funding is designed to help ISCRM and MolES teams conduct preliminary research for future grant applications. Both teams will receive up to $5,000 in research funding and one ISCRM Predoctoral Fellowship, which includes $22,050 in salary support and benefits for a graduate student. Additionally, a portion of tuition will be waived at the same percentage of the ISCRM-covered salary costs.
“These awards highlight the strength of collaboration across UW’s research community, bringing together diverse expertise from ISCRM and MolES to spark new ideas and accelerate early-stage discovery,” said Jennifer Davis, ISCRM director and associate professor in the Department of Pathology and Bioengineering.
In January, the institutes hosted the inaugural ISCRM – MolES Scientific Exchange, for scientists from two of UW’s largest multidisciplinary research institutes. The exchange — created by Davis and Pun — allowed participants to explore collaborations on topics including tissue engineering, disease modeling, translational discoveries, cell fate, genomics, gene-editing, organoids, organ printing, and nanotechnology — in addition to the use of these technologies to address conditions affecting the heart, liver, skin, vision, muscle, brain, and other organ systems.
Congratulations to the 2026-2027 ISCRM/MolES Pilot Fellowship awardees:
In addition, graduate student trainee Madelyn Atkins — co-mentored by Cole DeForest (MolES, Chemical Engineering) and Jenny Robinson (MolES, Mechanical Engineering — received funding for project research supplies.