Exposing Young Neurologists to Research Pathways Provided by the NIA, NINDS, VA, and DOD: Claire Henchcliffe, MD, DPhil, FANA; Ali Ezzati, MD

WATCH TIME: 4 minutes

"Many early career investigators face real challenges, from funding uncertainties to job security, making it harder to both enter and stay in the research field."

At the 2024 American Neurological Association (ANA) Annual Meeting, held September 14-17, in Orlando, Florida, one of the key sessions provided greater clarity on the view and potential opportunities major governmental institutions can provide the neurology community. Led by chairs Claire Henchcliffe, MD, DPhil, FANA, and Ali Ezzati, MD, the session covered the resources available for research from the National Institute of Aging (NIA), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Department of Defense (DOD), and Veterans Affairs (VA) organizations.

As the research funding landscape has grown increasingly complex, the session aimed to guide new investigators through the process of securing grants by connecting them with key resources, contacts, and eligibility details. Additionally, the presence of top-level leadership from major funding institutions made it a valuable networking opportunity, allowing attendees direct access to influential leaders in the field. The session, which took an hour and a half, also featured speakers Nicole Williams, PhD, Walter Koroshetz, MD, FANA, and Eliezer Masliah, MD, who each represented the DOD, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and NIA, respectively.

During the meeting, Henchcliffe and Ezzati sat down with NeurologyLive® to discuss some of the main challenges young investigators face when thinking about joining the research side of neurology. Henchcliffe, a movement disorders specialist at the University of California, Irvine, and Ezzati, director of the Neuroinformatics Program at UC Irvine, covered issues like limited research funding, lack of support, and the uncertainties with committing to research-based careers. Furthermore, the duo stressed the need for more protected time for young investigators, helping them build research careers despite external funding challenges.