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Friends of the Semel Institute Research Scholar Program

The Friends of the Semel Institute is committed to helping develop the next generation of researchers of the mind and brain in health and disease. The backbone of the Friends Research Scholar Program is starter grants of $25,000 per year for up to two years, focused primarily in providing research funding to assist early career investigators and their development of research in neuroscience and human behavior within the Semel Institute.  All applications will be reviewed by a panel of Semel Institute scientists and board members of The Friends of the Semel Institute. 

The Friends of the Semel Institute is committed to helping develop the next generation of researchers of the mind and brain in health and disease.  The backbone of the Friends Scholar Program is starter grants of $25,000 per year for up to two years, focused primarily in providing research funding to assist early career investigators and their development of research in neuroscience and human behavior within the Semel Institute.  All applications will be reviewed by a panel of Semel Institute scientists and board members of The Friends of the Semel Institute. Those receiving a Friends starter award will be named a Friends’ Scholar.

2022 - 2024 Application Process

Applications are due by 12:00 PM on September 6, 2022 and submitted to Wendy Kelman

For further information on this application process, or to receive an application

Meet The Friends of the Semel Institute Scholar Program

Sarah E. Clingan, PhD

Sarah E. Clingan, PhD

2023-2025 Friends Scholar

Fernado Midea Cuccovia V Reis, PhD

Fernado Midea Cuccovia V Reis, PhD

Nancy and Jon Glaser Family Friends of Semel Scholar 2023-2025

Conor Murphy, PhD

Conor Murphy, PhD

Margot and Joe Calabrese Family Friends of Semel Scholar 2023-2025

Don Wei, MD, PhD

Don Wei, MD, PhD

2021 Friends Scholar

Erica Grodin, PhD

Erica Grodin, PhD

2021 Friends Scholar

Kunmi Sobowale, MD

Kunmi Sobowale, MD

2021 Friends Scholar

Enrico G. Castillo, MD MSHPM

Enrico G. Castillo, MD MSHPM

2021 Friends Scholar

Gil Hoftman, MD, PhD

Gil Hoftman, MD, PhD

2020 Friends Scholar

Chloe Boyle, PhD

Chloe Boyle, PhD

2020 Friends Scholar

Marc J. Weintraub, PhD

Marc J. Weintraub, PhD

2020 Friends Scholar

Ye Zhang, PhD

Ye Zhang, PhD

2018 Friends Scholar

Misty Richards, MD, MS

Misty Richards, MD, MS

2018 Friends Scholar

Shulamite Green, PhD

Shulamite Green, PhD

2018 Friends Scholar

Nicole Petersen, PhD

Nicole Petersen, PhD

2018 Friends Scholar

Nanthia Suthana, PhD

Nanthia Suthana, PhD

2015 Joseph Drown,

Scholar Program Eligibility and Expectations

Post-doctoral scientists in training at UCLA’s Semel Institute.
 

Junior faculty (Assistant Professor or equivalent) conducting research in the Semel Institute, who have not yet received independent research funding (i.e., K or other extramural awards)
 

Strong preference is given to translational research projects that do not currently have adequate financial support and show promise for development toward extramural funding
 

Further consideration will be given to projects that address and/or have clear implications for issues of equity, diversity and inclusion 

Friends Scholars will be asked to present updates on their research to the Board Members of the Friends and/or the Institute in general.
 

Friends Scholars will be asked to attend one or more Friends receptions to meet donors who supported the program.
 

Friends Scholars will be required to submit to The Friends a year-end report of research progress that may be shared with donors.

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