Celebrating the 2024 Recipients of the Alfie Milne Young Investigator and LMI Pilot Awards
We are excited to announce this year’s recipients of the Lymphatic Malformation Institute's (LMI) Alfie Milne Young Investigator and Pilot Awards, which support emerging leaders in complex lymphatic anomaly (CLA) research. These awards empower innovative studies that push the boundaries of our understanding of CLAs, with the ultimate goal of advancing treatment and quality of life for those affected by these rare disorders. Join us in congratulating Griffin McDaniel and Yarelis Gonzalez-Vargas, the Alfie Milne Young Investigator Award recipients, and Maureen Cetera, the LMI Pilot Award recipient. Their cutting-edge work promises to pave the way for breakthroughs in CLA care and treatment.
Alfie Milne Young Investigator Award Recipients
Griffin McDaniel, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Project Title: Mutant to wild-type endothelial cell interactions in the pathogenesis of kaposiform lymphangiomatosis (KLA)
Griffin McDaniel’s research investigates Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis (KLA), a rare CLA with severe fluid leakage around the heart and lungs and bleeding complications. Although only a small percentage of cells in KLA tissue carry an NRAS mutation—a gene also seen in various cancers—these mutant cells might drive abnormal vessel growth and disease pathology by interacting with nearby normal cells. By combining mutant and normal cells in cell cultures and mouse models, McDaniel aims to determine the minimum percentage of mutant cells required to cause abnormal vessel formation. His study could reveal new insights into KLA and similar conditions, offering potential therapeutic targets for CLAs.
Yarelis Gonzalez-Vargas, Georgia Tech
Project Title: Towards a Precision Medicine Approach for the Study and Management of Pediatric Lymphatic Malformations
The research project is aimed at transforming pre-clinical drug testing for lymphatic malformations (LMs), a rare vascular anomaly primarily affecting children. This project will develop a high-throughput, patient-specific Micro-Physiological System (pMPS) using advanced biomaterials and artificial intelligence to enhance treatment options for LMs. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) embedded in a custom hydrogel will mimic LM conditions in vitro, allowing for precise testing of drug responses. These responses will be analyzed through a deep learning model, automating image analysis and reducing human error. By combining bioengineering and medical genetics, this approach aims not only to improve the accuracy of drug efficacy predictions but also to deepen our understanding of LM biology, paving the way for safer, more effective treatments specifically tailored for pediatric patients.
LMI Pilot Award Recipient
Maureen Cetera, University of Minnesota
Project Title: FZD6 as a novel candidate gene for Central Conducting Lymphatic Anomaly (CCLA)
Central conducting lymphatic anomaly (CCLA) is characterized by conduction issues within the central lymphatic system, often presenting as non-immune fetal hydrops. Although CCLA treatments using mTOR, PI3K, and MEK inhibitors show promise, only 40% of patients have a known genetic cause. Maureen Cetera’s research identifies the FZD6 gene as a candidate, linked to CCLA in five families experiencing non-immune fetal hydrops and nail dysplasia. Using a mouse model, Cetera will study the role of FZD6 in lymphatic development, particularly how its loss affects cell polarity and lymphatic vessel morphology. This research could confirm FZD6’s role in CCLA and lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic options.
Advancing CLA Research for a Brighter Future
The Alfie Milne Young Investigator and LMI Pilot Awards, funded through the generous support of the Lymphatic Malformation Institute (LMI) and the Lymphangiomatosis & Gorham’s Disease Alliance (LGDA), underscore the importance of supporting early-career scientists dedicated to uncovering the complexities of complex lymphatic anomalies. The innovative research by Griffin McDaniel, Yarelis Gonzalez-Vargas, Maureen Cetera, and the high-throughput testing platform team holds the promise of transformative advancements in CLA care, offering hope to patients and families facing these challenging conditions.
Congratulations to this year’s awardees! We look forward to following their progress and sharing how their work brings us closer to a future where individuals with CLAs have better diagnostic and therapeutic options. Thank you to LMI, LGDA, and all supporters for making this vital research possible.
