The 2025 Nicholas Hobbs Discovery Awards have been awarded to four Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) teams to fund pilot studies in preparation for submitting competitive grant applications to federal agencies or private foundations.
The VKC Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) uses philanthropic and internal funds to support interdisciplinary research consistent with the IDDRC translational research mission.
New eligibility guidelines allowed for the acceptance of research proposals from mentees working under the guidance of current VKC Members. The VKC faculty members will serve as Faculty Principal Investigators (PIs) and the mentees (who must have completed at least two years of postdoctoral training or equivalent) will serve as Mentee PIs on the project.
“We accepted proposals from trainees this year with the goal of supporting early-career researchers and providing crucial funding for the development of pilot data to enhance opportunities for future grants,” said Jeffrey Neul, M.D., Ph.D., director of the VKC. “Hobbs Discovery Awards supporting innovative research in IDD, and opening access for trainees just made sense. It is another way to enhance our training commitments to support trainees in becoming leaders in their fields.”
The 2025 projects address cognitive health in youth with brain tumors, early language support for bilingual children with developmental language delays, stuttering in people with Down syndrome, and understanding brain circuits to explore new ADHD treatments. Trainee-led projects are marked with an asterisk (*). VKC Members are indicated in bold.
Researching cognitive health in youth with brain tumors*
Investigators: Meredith Monsour and Bruce Compas
This study seeks to understand how brain tumors and surgery affect the cognitive abilities of youth (aged 4-17 years). Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in youth, and treatments can sometimes lead to long-term challenges with memory, attention, and learning.
This study aims to assess participants’ thinking skills both before and shortly after surgery, providing a clearer picture of how the tumor and surgery itself impact the brain. By enrolling youth as soon as they are diagnosed, the team will evaluate their cognitive health right away and then follow up after surgery, before starting treatments like radiation or chemotherapy.
The ultimate goal is to identify which tumor and surgical characteristics have the most significant effects, helping doctors improve treatments and recovery for young patients. This research also sets the stage for long-term studies to find better ways to support the brain health of young patients after treatment.
Improving early language support for bilingual children with developmental language delays
Investigator: Tatiana Peredo
This study will explore how cultural and language factors can improve early language support for Latinx children with developmental language delays. These delays, which make it harder for children to learn and use language, affect up to 15 percent of U.S. children and can lead to long-term challenges, especially for families who speak Spanish at home and face barriers to receiving appropriate early intervention.
The research focuses on 80 young Latinx children and their Spanish-speaking caregivers, analyzing how cultural values like respeto (a deep respect for authority and family hierarchy) influence children’s language development. The team is also examining the best ways to introduce English alongside Spanish during early intervention programs.
This work builds on a proven method called Enhanced Milieu Teaching en Español, where caregivers and therapists use natural communication strategies to support children’s language growth. By tailoring this approach to better reflect the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of Latinx families, the researchers aim to create more effective early interventions.
Ultimately, the findings will guide better care and support for bilingual children, helping them thrive at school and beyond. This research could also lay the groundwork for future large-scale studies, bringing these benefits to more families nationwide.
Understanding stuttering in people with Down syndrome*
Investigators: Dillon G. Pruett, Stephen Camarata, Robin Jones, and Jennifer Below
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) experience speech challenges at much higher rates than the general population. Up to 30 percent of people with DS also stutter, compared to just 1-3 percent in the general population. Despite this, little research has explored why stuttering occurs so often in this group or how to improve care and outcomes.
This project aims to take a closer look at stuttering in individuals with DS, using cutting-edge tools like machine learning and genetic analysis. Analysis of medical records from over 4,600 individuals with DS will help to identify stuttering patterns and related health conditions. Genetic data will aid in uncovering whether stuttering risk in DS overlaps with genetic risk for stuttering more broadly.
Discordant expression of a stuttering phenotype in Trisomy 21 provides a unique opportunity to better understand genetic contributions to stuttering not only in Down syndrome, but in the broader population of individuals who stutter.
Ultimately, this research will build a better understanding of the genetic and neurological factors behind stuttering in DS, paving the way for improved treatments and support. This work is part of a larger effort to advance precision care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ensuring they can communicate and connect with the world around them more effectively.
Understanding brain circuits to explore new ADHD treatments
Investigator: Richard Sando
This research project focuses on understanding how specific brain circuits develop and function, particularly in the part of the brain called the dorsal striatum. This area plays a key role in controlling movement and thinking processes. Problems in these circuits are linked to conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance abuse.
The study investigates a group of proteins called “adhesion GPCRs,” which help brain cells connect and communicate. One specific protein, Latrophilin (Lphn), has been linked to ADHD in human genetics studies. Researchers are exploring how changes in Lphn affect brain circuits and behavior, using mouse models to test its role in hyperactivity and attention.
This work could lead to a better understanding of how ADHD develops and pave the way for new treatments that target these brain circuits. Ultimately, it aligns with efforts to improve the lives of people with neurodevelopmental disorders.