The IARS Mentored Research Awards (IMRA) support the development of promising investigators in anesthesiology and related sciences. Up to four research projects are selected annually, with a maximum award of $175,000 each, payable over two years. The grants are intended to help create future leaders and prepare applicants to apply for independent research funding.
Applications for the IMRA may be in any area of investigation (clinical, translational, basic science), but must have ultimate relevance to the broad practice of anesthesiology and its subspecialties. Principal applicants for IMRA must be members of the IARS who have yet to establish substantial independent research funding or who are initiating a new area of research. Candidates should present a clear research plan, propose work that is pertinent to anesthesiology, and have both a senior mentor and an appointment in a successful principal investigator’s group. All IMRA applications will be reviewed by an external advisory board, appointed by the IARS Board of Trustees and Research Committee. Applications will be reviewed on the basis of scientific merit, adequate preliminary data, career potential of the investigator, and importance of the investigation to the specialty of anesthesiology. Awards are granted at the sole discretion of the IARS.
“Receiving the IARS Mentored Research Award really helped launch me in research by providing me the academic time and support and mentorship that I wouldn’t have otherwise received.”
— Past IMRA recipient
The IARS 2024 Mentored Research Awards application cycle is now closed. Check back for updates on our 2025 cycle.
You may contact [email protected] if you require additional information.
Recipients
Chong Chen, PhD
Opioidergic control of the cerebellar microcircuit during placebo analgesia
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Theresa Lii, MD, MS
Propofol-Enhanced Blinding to Test Psychedelics with Analgesic Potential
Stanford University
Redwood City, CA
Bijan Teja, MD
Fludrocortisone in acute respiratory failure with airspace disease
University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada
Michael Verret, MD, MSc
OPUS pilot trial
Université Laval
Québec, Canada
Nicholas Gregory, MD, PhD
CNS Regions Selectively Activated by Muscle Pain-Induced Hyperalgesia
Stanford University
Palo Alto, CA
Abirami Kumaresan, MD
Characterization of Cardiac Atrophy Among the Critically Ill
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
Mara Serbanescu, MD
Role of Nutrition on Gut Microbes & Translocation after Trauma Laparotomy
Duke University School of Medicine
Durham, NC
Read Dr. Serbanescu’s abstract
Natalie Silverton, MD
Urine Oxygen: a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tool for Hemorrhagic Shock
The University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Sunny Lou, MD, PhD
Intelligent Clinical Decision Support for Perioperative Blood Management
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
Read Dr. Lou’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Lou
Wei Ruan, PhD, MD
Circadian cardioprotection: BMAL1/HIF2A complex and co-target amphiregulin
The University of Texas Health Center at Houston
Houston, TX
Read Dr. Ruan’s abstract and related publications
Read an Interview with Dr. Ruan
Katarina Ruscic, PhD, MD
The Effects of Anesthetics on Lymphatic Vessel Contractility
Massachusetts General Hospital
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA
Read Dr. Ruscic’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Ruscic
William Tharp, MD, PhD
Impaired Lung Mechanics and Intraoperative Ventilator Induced Lung Injury
University of Vermont Medical Center (UVM)
Burlington, VT
Laura Downey, MD
Characterizing platelet function in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Read Dr. Downey’s abstract
Read Interview with Dr. Downey
Catherine Duclos, PhD
Using anesthesia to predict recovery from disorders of consciousness
McGill University Health Centre
Montreal, Québec, Canada
Read Dr. Duclos’ abstract and related publications
Read Interview with Dr. Duclos
Kendall Smith, MD, PhD
Role of Transcriptomic Circadian Rhythms in Postoperative Delirium
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
Read Dr. Smith’s abstract and related publications
Read Interview with Dr. Smith
Jessica Spence, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Genetic risk prediction of new atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Michael Bokoch, MD, PhD
Endothelial Activation by Liver Reperfusion Injury in Transplantation
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Read Dr. Bokoch’s abstract
Read Interview with Dr. Bokoch
Catharina Conrad, MD, PhD
Protease Profiling for Rapid Phenotyping and Monitoring of ARDS
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Read Dr. Conrad’s abstract
Read Interview with Dr. Conrad
Kamrouz Ghadimi, MD
Right Ventricular Metabolic Dysregulation after Surgery for Heart Failure
Duke University Health System
Durham, NC
Read Dr. Ghadimi’s abstract
Read Interview with Dr. Ghadimi
Yusuke Sugasawa, MD, PhD
Structural basis of lipid and anesthetic action on TMEM16 scramblases
Juntendo University School of Medicine
Tokyo, Japan
Read Dr. Sugasawa’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Sugasawa
Benedict Alter, MD, PhD
Mechanisms and translational application of endogenous analgesia
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Read Dr. Alter’s abstract
Read Interview with Dr. Alter
Lara Wiley Crock, MD, PhD, MSCI
Role of the Microbiome in the Persistence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Washington University School of Medicine
St. Louis, MO
Read Dr. Wiley Crock’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Wiley Crock
Benjamin Steinberg, MD, PhD, FRCPC
The role of pyroptosis in neuropathic pain
The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Read Dr. Steinberg’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Steinberg
John Whittle, MD
Preoperative exercise to improve vagal tone (PREVENT) study
University College London Hospitals
University College London
London, England
Read Dr. Whittle’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Whittle
Broc Burke, MD, PhD
Development of a Real-Time, Bedside, Brain Functional Connectivity Monitor
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center
Aurora, CO
Read Dr. Burke’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Burke
Neil Goldenberg, MD, PhD
The Role of HMGB1 in Pulmonary Hypertension
The Hospital for Sick Children
The University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Read Dr. Goldenberg’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Goldenberg
Karim Ladha, MD
Peri-Operative Wearables in Elder Recovery after Surgery (POWERS) Trial
University of Toronto
St. Michael’s Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Read Dr. Ladha’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Ladha
Kathleen Meacham, MD, PhD
A Wireless System for the Mechanistic Study of Spinal Cord Stimulation
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
Saint Louis, MO
Jessica Bowser, PhD
Targeting Epithelial Regeneration for Perioperative Organ Protection.
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Chapel Hill, NC
Read Dr. Bowser’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Bowser
Wayland Cheng, MD, PhD
The Structural Basis of Neurosteroid Binding to the GABA(A) Receptor.
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
Read Dr. Cheng’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Cheng
Jamie Privratsky, MD, PhD
The role of macrophage IL-1 signaling in acute kidney injury and recovery
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina
Read Dr. Privratsky’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Privratsky
Robert Sanders, MBBS, PhD, FRCA
Cognitive Disintegration in Delirium.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Daniel I. McIsaac, MD, MPH, FRCPC
A PSH for the Frail Elderly (Phase 3): Prehabilitation of Frail Elderly
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Read Dr. McIsaac’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. McIsaac
Angela Meier, MD, PhD
Anesthesia and Sex Specific, Immune Dependent Impact on Cancer Progression
University of California, San Diego
San Diego, California
Read Dr. Meier’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Meier
Eric Vu, MD
Predictive Analytic Tool for Diagnosis of Coronary Allograft Vasculopathy
This grant is jointly sponsored by SAAA
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine;
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital
Chicago, IL
Read Dr. Vu’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Vu
Wei Zhou, MD, PhD
The Roles and Applications of Orexin/Hypocretin System in Anesthesia
UCSF Medical Center/UCSF Children’s Hospital
San Francisco, California
Charles Brown, IV, MD
Prevention and Consequences of Postoperative Delirium
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland
Read Dr. Brown’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Brown
Laura Cornelissen, MSci, PhD
Cerebral Dynamics of General Anesthesia in Childhood
Eisai USA
Boston, MA
Read Dr. Cornelissen’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Cornelissen
Erica P. Lin, MD
Protective anesthetic strategies during neonatal brain ischemia
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH
Read Dr. Lin’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Lin
Michael W. Manning, MD, PhD
Mechanisms In the Development of Post Operative Atrial Fibrillation
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC
Read Dr. Manning’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Manning
Miles Berger, MD, PhD
The trajectory and significance of perioperative changes in AD biomarkers
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina
Read Dr. Berger’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Berger
Minjae Kim, MD
Assessing perioperative comorbidities through latent class analysis
Columbia University Medical Center
New York, New York
Nadia Lunardi, MD, PhD
Anesthesia-induced impairments of developmental synaptic plasticity
University of Virginia School of Medicine
Charlottesville, Virginia
Read Dr. Lunardi’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Lunardi
Rene Przkora, MD, PhD
Preconditioning of Older Patients undergoing Hip Joint Replacement Surgery
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Galveston, Texas
Sinziana Avramescu, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Do anesthetics exacerbate memory deficits following traumatic brain injury?
Humber River Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Read Dr. Avramescu’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Avramescu
Gerard Curley, PhD, MB, BCh, BAO
Targeting the MSC-macrophage interaction; optimizing cell therapy for ARDS.
St Michael’s Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aeyal Raz, MD, PhD
Pathway specific mechanisms of anesthesia in the cortex.
Rambam Medical Center
Technion’s Rappaport School of Medicine
Haifa, Israel
Read Dr. Raz’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Raz
Lin Zou, MD, PhD
Impact of TLR3-cfB signaling on septic cardiomyopathy.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
2024
Chong Chen, PhD
Opioidergic control of the cerebellar microcircuit during placebo analgesia
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Theresa Lii, MD, MS
Propofol-Enhanced Blinding to Test Psychedelics with Analgesic Potential
Stanford University
Redwood City, CA
Bijan Teja, MD
Fludrocortisone in acute respiratory failure with airspace disease
University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada
Michael Verret, MD, MSc
OPUS pilot trial
Université Laval
Québec, Canada
2023
Nicholas Gregory, MD, PhD
CNS Regions Selectively Activated by Muscle Pain-Induced Hyperalgesia
Stanford University
Palo Alto, CA
Abirami Kumaresan, MD
Characterization of Cardiac Atrophy Among the Critically Ill
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
Mara Serbanescu, MD
Role of Nutrition on Gut Microbes & Translocation after Trauma Laparotomy
Duke University School of Medicine
Durham, NC
Read Dr. Serbanescu’s abstract
Natalie Silverton, MD
Urine Oxygen: a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tool for Hemorrhagic Shock
The University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
2022
Sunny Lou, MD, PhD
Intelligent Clinical Decision Support for Perioperative Blood Management
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
Read Dr. Lou’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Lou
Wei Ruan, PhD, MD
Circadian cardioprotection: BMAL1/HIF2A complex and co-target amphiregulin
The University of Texas Health Center at Houston
Houston, TX
Read Dr. Ruan’s abstract and related publications
Read an Interview with Dr. Ruan
Katarina Ruscic, PhD, MD
The Effects of Anesthetics on Lymphatic Vessel Contractility
Massachusetts General Hospital
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA
Read Dr. Ruscic’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Ruscic
William Tharp, MD, PhD
Impaired Lung Mechanics and Intraoperative Ventilator Induced Lung Injury
University of Vermont Medical Center (UVM)
Burlington, VT
2021
Laura Downey, MD
Characterizing platelet function in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Read Dr. Downey’s abstract
Read Interview with Dr. Downey
Catherine Duclos, PhD
Using anesthesia to predict recovery from disorders of consciousness
McGill University Health Centre
Montreal, Québec, Canada
Read Dr. Duclos’ abstract and related publications
Read Interview with Dr. Duclos
Kendall Smith, MD, PhD
Role of Transcriptomic Circadian Rhythms in Postoperative Delirium
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
Read Dr. Smith’s abstract and related publications
Read Interview with Dr. Smith
Jessica Spence, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Genetic risk prediction of new atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
2020
Michael Bokoch, MD, PhD
Endothelial Activation by Liver Reperfusion Injury in Transplantation
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Read Dr. Bokoch’s abstract
Read Interview with Dr. Bokoch
Catharina Conrad, MD, PhD
Protease Profiling for Rapid Phenotyping and Monitoring of ARDS
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Read Dr. Conrad’s abstract
Read Interview with Dr. Conrad
Kamrouz Ghadimi, MD
Right Ventricular Metabolic Dysregulation after Surgery for Heart Failure
Duke University Health System
Durham, NC
Read Dr. Ghadimi’s abstract
Read Interview with Dr. Ghadimi
Yusuke Sugasawa, MD, PhD
Structural basis of lipid and anesthetic action on TMEM16 scramblases
Juntendo University School of Medicine
Tokyo, Japan
Read Dr. Sugasawa’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Sugasawa
2019
Benedict Alter, MD, PhD
Mechanisms and translational application of endogenous analgesia
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Read Dr. Alter’s abstract
Read Interview with Dr. Alter
Lara Wiley Crock, MD, PhD, MSCI
Role of the Microbiome in the Persistence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Washington University School of Medicine
St. Louis, MO
Read Dr. Wiley Crock’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Wiley Crock
Benjamin Steinberg, MD, PhD, FRCPC
The role of pyroptosis in neuropathic pain
The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Read Dr. Steinberg’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Steinberg
John Whittle, MD
Preoperative exercise to improve vagal tone (PREVENT) study
University College London Hospitals
University College London
London, England
Read Dr. Whittle’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Whittle
2018
Broc Burke, MD, PhD
Development of a Real-Time, Bedside, Brain Functional Connectivity Monitor
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center
Aurora, CO
Read Dr. Burke’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Burke
Neil Goldenberg, MD, PhD
The Role of HMGB1 in Pulmonary Hypertension
The Hospital for Sick Children
The University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Read Dr. Goldenberg’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Goldenberg
Karim Ladha, MD
Peri-Operative Wearables in Elder Recovery after Surgery (POWERS) Trial
University of Toronto
St. Michael’s Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Read Dr. Ladha’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Ladha
Kathleen Meacham, MD, PhD
A Wireless System for the Mechanistic Study of Spinal Cord Stimulation
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
Saint Louis, MO
2017
Jessica Bowser, PhD
Targeting Epithelial Regeneration for Perioperative Organ Protection.
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Chapel Hill, NC
Read Dr. Bowser’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Bowser
Wayland Cheng, MD, PhD
The Structural Basis of Neurosteroid Binding to the GABA(A) Receptor.
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
Read Dr. Cheng’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Cheng
Jamie Privratsky, MD, PhD
The role of macrophage IL-1 signaling in acute kidney injury and recovery
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina
Read Dr. Privratsky’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Privratsky
Robert Sanders, MBBS, PhD, FRCA
Cognitive Disintegration in Delirium.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
2016
Daniel I. McIsaac, MD, MPH, FRCPC
A PSH for the Frail Elderly (Phase 3): Prehabilitation of Frail Elderly
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Read Dr. McIsaac’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. McIsaac
Angela Meier, MD, PhD
Anesthesia and Sex Specific, Immune Dependent Impact on Cancer Progression
University of California, San Diego
San Diego, California
Read Dr. Meier’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Meier
Eric Vu, MD
Predictive Analytic Tool for Diagnosis of Coronary Allograft Vasculopathy
This grant is jointly sponsored by SAAA
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine;
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital
Chicago, IL
Read Dr. Vu’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Vu
Wei Zhou, MD, PhD
The Roles and Applications of Orexin/Hypocretin System in Anesthesia
UCSF Medical Center/UCSF Children’s Hospital
San Francisco, California
2015
Charles Brown, IV, MD
Prevention and Consequences of Postoperative Delirium
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland
Read Dr. Brown’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Brown
Laura Cornelissen, MSci, PhD
Cerebral Dynamics of General Anesthesia in Childhood
Eisai USA
Boston, MA
Read Dr. Cornelissen’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Cornelissen
Erica P. Lin, MD
Protective anesthetic strategies during neonatal brain ischemia
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH
Read Dr. Lin’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Lin
Michael W. Manning, MD, PhD
Mechanisms In the Development of Post Operative Atrial Fibrillation
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC
Read Dr. Manning’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Manning
2014
Miles Berger, MD, PhD
The trajectory and significance of perioperative changes in AD biomarkers
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina
Read Dr. Berger’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Berger
Minjae Kim, MD
Assessing perioperative comorbidities through latent class analysis
Columbia University Medical Center
New York, New York
Nadia Lunardi, MD, PhD
Anesthesia-induced impairments of developmental synaptic plasticity
University of Virginia School of Medicine
Charlottesville, Virginia
Read Dr. Lunardi’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Lunardi
Rene Przkora, MD, PhD
Preconditioning of Older Patients undergoing Hip Joint Replacement Surgery
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Galveston, Texas
2013
Sinziana Avramescu, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Do anesthetics exacerbate memory deficits following traumatic brain injury?
Humber River Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Read Dr. Avramescu’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Avramescu
Gerard Curley, PhD, MB, BCh, BAO
Targeting the MSC-macrophage interaction; optimizing cell therapy for ARDS.
St Michael’s Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aeyal Raz, MD, PhD
Pathway specific mechanisms of anesthesia in the cortex.
Rambam Medical Center Technion’s Rappaport School of Medicine
Haifa, Israel
Read Dr. Raz’s abstract
Read an Interview with Dr. Raz
Lin Zou, MD, PhD
Impact of TLR3-cfB signaling on septic cardiomyopathy.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
The IARS 2024 Mentored Research Awards application cycle is now closed. Check back for updates on our 2025 cycle.
Click above to access our recent IMRA Stories from the Field booklet to delve into compelling stories of past awardees.
“Looking back, the award was instrumental in a very crucial part in my career. The transition from fellow to faculty is such an important few years (often times unrecognized!) that ultimately shapes the path, and subsequently, the bulk of one’s future career. With the award, I was able to have dedicated research time and pursue a Masters in Clinical Investigation to obtain additional skills in clinical design, biostatistics, and biomedical informatics.”
– 2016 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Eric Vu, MD
“The IARS Mentored Research Award (IMRA) was the only grant I was eligible to apply for as a postdoctoral fellow, and I am grateful for its existence. Such a grant has enormous impact on early-career researchers, and undeniably raises their chances for success. Thank you to the IARS for this incredible support for a young researcher such as myself! I will be forever grateful that the IARS could support my research.”
– 2021 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Catherine Duclos, PhD
“[With the IMRA], we’ve been able to really untangle how some of this pathway feeds into a nociceptive behavior or pain response. But we ended up with a really important and big question in front of us which is now trying to understand why there’s a sex difference, and how it is or where it is that males and females diverge. So that’s the work we are on the cusp of a publication with.”
– 2019 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Benjamin Steinberg, MD, PhD, FRCPC
International Anesthesia Research Society
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