Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund advances breakthrough science

The Pat & Shirley Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund, a $35 million initiative of Northwestern University and the Ryan Family Foundation, is advancing life sciences research with immediate societal impact.

Over three rounds of funding, the initiative has awarded more than $6 million to support 25 groundbreaking projects from a competitive pool of 177 proposals submitted by Northwestern researchers. Panels of faculty and external experts evaluated proposals, and a University leadership committee then assessed the recommendations.

In its third round, the fund awarded more than $2 million to support nine exceptional research projects that aim to translate cutting-edge life science discoveries into transformative, practical solutions.

Made possible by a gift from the Patrick G. ’59, ’09 H and Shirley W. Ryan ’61, ’19 H (’97, ’00 P) Family, the Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund plays a pivotal role in advancing Northwestern’s research mission, in particular the University’s priority to advance the biosciences. It does so by providing strategic seed funding to help turn promising discoveries into real-world applications. Created to bridge the critical gap between academic proof of concept and commercialization known as the “valley of death,” the fund supports high-impact projects with strong translational potential.

This year’s cycle drew 38 proposals from principal investigators across Northwestern’s schools and centers — highlighting the University’s vibrant research environment. After a competitive review process, selected proposals each received up to $278,000 for one year to accelerate development and deliver measurable societal benefits.

“Our family established the Ryan Acceleration Fund to strengthen Northwestern’s capacity to turn groundbreaking research into transformative results,” said Patrick G. Ryan. “By investing early in outstanding ideas, we’re helping to overcome one of the biggest hurdles in innovation — getting critical discoveries out of the lab and into the world to enable these promising technologies to reach their full potential and benefit society. This initiative reflects our deep belief in the power of biosciences and interdisciplinary research to improve lives, fuel the economy and keep Northwestern at the forefront of global scientific leadership.”

Support from the Ryan Acceleration Fund has already helped launch translational startups linked to earlier funding rounds. Examples include William Muller’s Laborecom, a venture focused on developing therapeutics to mitigate injury after myocardial infarction, and ModuMab Therapeutics, a venture based on the research of Milan Mrksich that is focused on commercializing modular antibodies for a diverse range of applications including mimics that act as diagnostics and therapeutics.

Selection criteria emphasize the research’s transformative potential, differentiation from existing approaches, key project milestones achieved, next-phase outlook and feasibility of near-term execution, including the strength of the research team. The selected third-round proposals focus on therapeutics, health IT/data science analytics, and medical devices. Many involve cross-field and cross-school collaborations, fostering partnerships between Northwestern’s medical, engineering and liberal arts schools.

“The Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund is catalyzing innovation at a critical moment,” said Eric J. Perreault, vice president for research. “As federal funding for university research faces uncertainty, this philanthropic support is more vital than ever. It empowers our faculty to move bold ideas forward and translate breakthrough discoveries into real-world solutions. We are deeply grateful to the Ryan Family for their vision and commitment to advancing Northwestern’s research mission.”

Round 3 principal investigators and projects

Dr. Serdar Bulun, John J. Sciarra Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Dr. Ping Yin, research professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine

The researchers are developing a first-in-class, non-hormonal therapy to treat uterine fibroids (UFs), a condition that affects up to 15 million women in the U.S. Their innovative approach targets TDO2, an enzyme critical for the survival of fibroid cells with MED12 mutations, which are found in approximately 77% of UF cases. Rather than simply managing symptoms, their research aims to shrink fibroids by directly disrupting disease biology.

Why it matters: Current UF treatments are invasive, temporary or rely on hormones that can compromise fertility. This project represents a major step toward a long-term, fertility-preserving solution for millions of women. By developing a targeted, disease-modifying therapy, Bulun and Yin aim to fill a significant gap in the multi-billion-dollar fibroid treatment market and improve the quality of life for patients worldwide.

Brandon Jutras, associate professor, microbiology-immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine
Co-PIs: Osamudiamen Ebohon and Saadman Ahmad

Jutras and his team are developing a rapid at-home diagnostic test for acute Lyme disease, addressing a critical unmet need in infectious disease detection. Unlike current methods that detect only past exposure and require weeks for results, this novel test targets a unique biomarker actively secreted by the Lyme-causing bacterium during the early stages of infection. The platform uses specific monoclonal antibodies in a urine-based lateral flow assay, enabling patients to detect an active infection within a day of transmission — dramatically faster and more accurate than existing diagnostics.

Why it matters: Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the U.S., yet early diagnosis remains elusive, delaying treatment and worsening outcomes. This low-cost, user-friendly test has the potential to revolutionize care by enabling timely and accurate diagnoses at home. With commercialization plans underway and FDA approval targeted, this innovation has the potential to significantly reduce the burden of Lyme disease and improve patient outcomes nationwide.

Shana O. Kelley, Neena B. Schwartz Professor of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Kelley is leading the development of a next-generation implantable sensor for continuous monitoring of protein biomarkers related to diabetes, offering a transformative alternative to current continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), which only provide an indirect view of metabolic health. Her team’s device uses a novel, rapid regeneration method (<1 minute), enabling real-time measurement of a wide range of protein biomarkers. Unlike conventional sensors that rely on slow diffusion or complex processing, this system allows for seamless, continuous monitoring in real time. Backed by a provisional patent and patent cooperation filing, the team aims to advance the device toward animal model validation and scalable production.

Why it matters: Diabetes affects millions worldwide, yet current monitoring tools fall short of providing a complete metabolic picture. This breakthrough technology addresses that gap by enabling direct, continuous tracking of key disease markers, paving the way for more precise and personalized diabetes management. With no existing devices offering this capability, the platform has the potential to tap into and expand the $32.7 billion CGM market, creating a new category in wearable health diagnostics.

Bonnie Martin-Harris, Alice Gabrielle Twight Professor of communication sciences and disorders, School of Communication, and Ying Wu, professor, electrical and computer engineering, McCormick School of Engineering

This project is developing an AI-powered tool to enhance clinicians’ ability to assess swallowing disorders (dysphagia) using X-ray videos from a procedure called the Modified Barium Swallow Study, the gold standard for evaluating swallowing. The tool automatically identifies key anatomical points and assigns clinically validated scores, reducing time and improving consistency.

Why it matters: Dysphagia affects millions and can lead to serious health issues. Current manual scoring is slow and inconsistent. This AI tool enhances accuracy, efficiency and reliability, providing an explainable, clinician-friendly solution suitable for practical use and future commercialization. Next, the team will refine and test the tool in real-world clinical settings, pursue partnerships and move toward FDA approval and commercialization. 

Dr. Elizabeth M. McNally, Elizabeth J. Ward Professor of Genetic Medicine, professor of biochemistry and molecular genetics, and Alexis R. Demonbreun, associate professor, pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine

McNally and Demonbreun are developing a novel anti-fibrotic therapy targeting LTBP4, a key regulator of TGF-β (transforming growth factor beta), a signaling protein that drives fibrosis, or tissue scarring, in response to injury. Cardiac fibrosis, a major contributor to heart failure, currently has no approved targeted treatments. The team’s strategy uses high-affinity antibodies to stabilize LTBP4 and reduce the release of active TGF-β, slowing fibrotic progression. This approach could treat a wide range of heart conditions, including ischemic injury and chronic cardiomyopathies. 

Why it matters: Fibrosis contributes to dysfunction across all organ systems. In the heart, fibrosis plays a central role in the progression of heart failure and arrhythmias, impacting over 6.5 million Americans and representing a $30 billion U.S. market. By targeting a genetically validated fibrosis regulator, McNally and Demonbreun are pursuing a breakthrough therapy with the potential to improve outcomes for millions suffering from progressive cardiac scarring and failure.

Milan Mrksich, Henry Wade Rogers Professor of Biomedical Engineering; professor of chemistry and cell and developmental biology, McCormick School of Engineering/Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences; and William Klein, professor of neurobiology, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Mrksich and Klein are developing a novel class of modular antibodies, or “MegaMolecules,” to target amyloid beta oligomers (AβOs), toxic proteins strongly implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Unlike current therapies that offer only modest benefits, these next-generation antibodies feature enhanced binding capabilities and improved ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, increasing their therapeutic potential. This work builds on successful previous research also funded by the Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund.

Why it matters: With over 30 million people affected worldwide — and that number expected to exceed 45 million by 2030 — Alzheimer’s disease remains a major global health challenge. Current treatments only modestly slow disease progression. By directly targeting the toxic AβOs that contribute to neurodegeneration, Mrksich and Klein’s platform could deliver a much more effective therapeutic option. Given the market potential demonstrated by drugs currently on the market, the MegaMolecule platform could represent a transformative advancement in both the treatment and diagnosis of AD.

Miriam A. Novack and Stephanie Ruth Young, assistant professors of medical social sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine

The researchers are part of the team behind the National Institutes of Health Baby Toolbox®, an innovative, tablet-based platform designed to assess cognition, motor and social development in infants and toddlers using innovative data capture methods, such as eye-tracking, video analysis and touch-based responding. Large-scale validation studies with over 2,500 infants demonstrated the Baby Toolbox’s feasibility, reliability and appropriateness across demographic groups. The team is now developing a remote version — the Remote Baby Toolbox (RBT) — which allows the Baby Toolbox to be remotely administered to infants in their own homes using a caregiver’s smartphone. Plans are underway to pursue funding and strategic partnerships for commercialization.

Why it matters: This technology offers the first scalable, standardized and user-friendly digital developmental assessment for infants and toddlers, enabling early detection of cognitive and social delays and broadening access to high-quality screening in diverse and remote settings, including clinical and environmental studies. RBT aims to serve early intervention programs, pharmaceutical trial and healthcare systems, offering scalable and equitable access to life-changing evaluations. 

Jonathan Rivnay, professor of biomedical engineering and materials science and engineering, McCormick School of Engineering

Rivnay is developing a next-generation implantable device that could transform the delivery of biologic drugs. Today, biologic therapies (such as insulin or anti-inflammatory agents) are expensive, require repeated injections and often suffer from poor patient adherence. Rivnay’s innovative approach uses bioelectronics to support engineered living cells — known as “cell factories” — housed within a tiny, implantable device, enabling the continuous production and delivery of medicine directly inside the body.

Why it matters: This technology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of chronic diseases by enabling long-term, low-maintenance delivery of life-saving biologics. By reducing the need for repeated injections and improving treatment consistency, this approach could dramatically improve patient outcomes while lowering costs — especially for conditions like autoimmune disorders, where sustained therapy is critical.

Vipul Shukla, assistant professor, cell and developmental biology, Feinberg School of Medicine

In collaboration with Ashima Shukla, the Shukla lab developed MASS-CAR, a next-generation, off-the-shelf CAR-T cell therapy platform designed to enhance the effectiveness, safety and accessibility of cancer immunotherapy. CAR-T therapy works by engineering a patient’s immune cells to recognize and kill cancer cells, but current versions are costly, complex and tailored to individual patients.

Why it matters: MASS-CAR takes a modular approach, using a universal CAR-T cell combined with interchangeable, chemically tagged antibodies to target different cancers. This flexible system can be quickly adapted to new tumor types without redesigning the core therapy. It also activates multiple parts of the immune system to boost effectiveness, especially in hard-to-treat cancers like ovarian cancer. Supported by Northwestern-owned IP, the platform is being validated in ovarian cancer, with plans to expand to blood and other solid tumors. With the global cell therapy market projected to reach $35 billion by 2032, the team is preparing for funding and industry partnerships to move this promising technology toward clinical use.

“I applaud the recipients for their bold research that pushes the boundaries of the life sciences,” said Jian Cao, associate vice president for research. “These projects reflect Northwestern’s collaborative culture and leadership in translating discovery into impact. The Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund is a vital spark in our intentionally built ecosystem — one that fosters cross-disciplinary connections to create innovation and deliver real-world solutions.”

The Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund website provides information on the Sept. 1 deadline for submitting a proposal for the next round of funding and the expected start date for the awards. Direct inquiries can be sent to ryanrafund@northwestern.edu.

Matt Golosinski is director of research communications in Northwestern’s Office for Research.