Celebrating the Next Generation of Researchers

National Scleroderma Foundation recognizes 2025 Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Awardees

The National Scleroderma Foundation’s Pre-Doctoral Summer Fellowship Award Program is a demonstration of the Foundation’s commitment to fostering the next generation of scleroderma researchers. An annual award program designed to recognize PhD students conducting research related to scleroderma, the program cultivates and supports students’ early interests in working to discover the cause and cure of scleroderma.

Students submit a proposal on research relevant to adult or pediatric scleroderma. Applications are accepted annually and due each spring, with awards given out at the beginning of June.

Neerja Marwaha Bhagat Research Scholar Fellowship

Each year, one recipient will be honored as the Neerja Marwaha Bhagat Research Scholar in recognition of their drive to discover the cause and cure of scleroderma. The Neerja Marwaha Bhagat Research Scholar Fellowship was established to honor the legacy of a longtime leader of the National Scleroderma Foundation Mid-Atlantic Chapter.

This year, the Neerja Marwaha Bhagat Research Scholar Fellowship Award was given to Paulene Sapao, PhD (c), from Virginia Commonwealth University.  She is currently in the Chemical Biology Graduate Program, working with her mentor Dr. Maria E. Teves, PhD, on her project Therapeutic modulation of primary cilia (ciliotherapy) represents a promising avenue for reversing fibrosis.

Arnold Postlethwaite Fellowship Pre-Doctoral Summer Fellowship

Annually one recipient will be awarded the Dr. Arnold Postlethwaite Summer Fellowship. The endowed memorial fellowship was established by the family of Dr. Arnold Postlethwaite and honor’s his career as a scleroderma specialist and his 22-year relationship with the National Scleroderma Foundation’s Medical & Scientific Advisory Board and support group leader.

This year the Arnold Postlethwaite Fellowship Pre-Doctoral Summer Fellowship Award was given to Hannah Carter, MD, PhD (c), from University of Michigan.  She is currently studying Lung Immunopathology, working with her mentor Dr. Bethany B. Moore, PhD on her project The Role of Tryptophan Metabolism in Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Congratulations to all of our 2025 Pre-Doctoral Summer Fellowship awardees.