We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Erin Jimenez, an esteemed assistant professor in our Department of Biology, has been recognized as a 2024 Discovery Awardee for her groundbreaking work on “Cross-species Examination of Supporting Cell-to-progenitor Cell Fate Transitions During Hair Cell Regeneration.”

The Discovery Awards, granted by Johns Hopkins University, celebrate interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty teams, pushing the boundaries of understanding and addressing complex challenges. This year, 44 awards were bestowed across twelve units within the university, fostering innovative research endeavors across a wide array of fields.

The Discovery Awards program, initiated in 2015, is designed to ignite new collaborations among investigators at Johns Hopkins. Unlike funding for established projects, these awards support novel, interdisciplinary initiatives with the potential to secure large-scale, externally funded grants or cooperative agreements. Teams awarded can receive up to $100,000 to explore new areas of collaborative work.

Dr. Jimenez’s research focuses on the intricate gene regulatory networks involved in vertebrate inner ear regeneration. Hair cells in the inner ear are crucial for hearing, and their loss leads to permanent hearing impairment in humans, as these cells do not naturally regenerate.

This year’s awarded projects include a wide range of pioneering research, such as developing DNA-based hydrogel bioinks for advanced 3D bioprinting applications, understanding the formation of trust in healthcare systems and its impact on patient behavior, and designing novel influenza vaccines to overcome age-related immune challenges. Dr. Jimenez’s project stands out for its potential to revolutionize the field of auditory biology and regenerative medicine.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Erin Jimenez on this prestigious recognition. Her innovative research not only exemplifies the spirit of the Discovery Awards but also underscores the exceptional talent within our Department of Biology. We eagerly anticipate the groundbreaking advancements that will emerge from her work.

Congratulations, Erin!