Research Grant Committee Update

Michael K. Rosner, MD
Research Grant Committee Chair

Research and Education remains the principle lifeline of our Society. The Research Grant Committee received a record number of grant applications in the fall cycle (October 1, 2015). Thirty-five grant applications were reviewed and considered for funding. The research committee consists of 26 members who each reviewed approximately 10-11 grants for a designated team. The committee is deeply appreciative of the support provided by Ashtin Neuschaefer, SRS staff liaison, for her continuous work to make the review process smooth and timely. This fall the Research Grant Committee awarded the following grants totaling $149,345.00:

Scoliosis-specific exercises for at-risk mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis curves: a multi-site preliminary randomized trial	Dr. Karina A. Zapata	$49,780.00	SRS-Globus EB	$49,780.00
Computer Algorithm Software for Optimal Placement Pedicle Screws Considering Multiple Levels	Dr. David Gurd	$9,565.00	SE	$9,565.00
Cadaveric Study of the Use of the Magnetic Expansion Control (MAGEC) Rod in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanner	Dr. Selina C. Poon	$25,000.00	NI	$15,000.00
Motion Analysis in the Axial Plane After Realignment Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis	Dr. Ashish Patel	$25,000.00	SRS-Globus NI	$25,000.00
Phase II: Coagulation analysis of patients receiving Tranexamic Acid	Dr. Patrick Bosch	$49,412.00	SI	$25,000.00
Optimization of Implant Density in AIS Instrumentation Using a Computerized Spine Simulator	Dr. Xiaoyu Wang	$25,000.00	SRS-K2M NI	$25,000.00

The new application cycle has opened on February 1, 2016 with a deadline of April 1, 2016.

The Outcomes Subcommittee has been following the outcomes and progress reports of prior recipients and has made recommendations for distribution of the remaining funds and for those that will be invited to report at the Annual Meeting & Course in a Lunchtime Symposium. Additionally, a simple reporting mechanism is now developed to track what happens to grantees after project completion with the goal of finding out who gets published and additional funding. 

The Research Committee has been charged to focus on the following areas:

1. Evidence Based Medicine
2. Idiopathic scoliosis
3. Etiology
4. Non-op and operative treatment
5. 3D deformity of the spine and thorax
6. Adult deformity
7. Treatment and outcomes
8. Osteoporosis
   1. Osteoporotic spine fractures
   2. how it impacts scoliosis kyphosis management
   3. how it relates to spinal deformity and instrumentation
9. Early onset scoliosis treatment
10. Sagittal imbalance
11. Congenital scoliosis
12. Neuromuscular spinal deformity
13. Deformity and reconstruction arising from spine and sacral tumor treatment
14. Thoracic insufficiency children associated with spinal deformity
15. Pulmonary outcomes following common natural history of spine deformity and treatment history.
16. Risk Stratification  (Special consideration is provided for any research focusing on this topic)
17. Long-term outcomes and/or patient-generated indices/outcomes
18. Fusionless options

The Research Committee considers the following “essentials” to receive a favorable review for funding:

• 1-2 aim focus to be completed in reasonable timeframe.
• New investigator submission who has not been previously awarded funding from a major funding organization.
• Co-investigators with a proven track record
• Original science always a priority
• Multicenter approach to increase data size

The Research Committee considers the following “red flags” to receive an unfavorable review for funding:

• Salary support for clinicians
• Travel support request in grant submissions
• Requests to support/divert funds for overhead expenses
• Poor track record
• Inadequate research infrastructure
• No pilot data or prior work in the area
• Non answerable hypothesis