Published on: January 26, 2026

ASH Research Collaborative Selects Five Recipients of SCD Data Hub Award

Investigators will advance research to improve care for those living with sickle cell disease.

Five early-career investigators are the recipients of the ASH RC SCD Data Hub Award, which is designed to support the next generation of SCD researchers. Under this award, advanced career SCD researchers will partner with and serve as dedicated mentors to early career investigators through every stage of project development, from concept to study completion.

This award was supported by ASH’s $12 million investment that expanded awards and mentorship programs to address sudden and massive cuts to federal research grants and training opportunities, as well as protect the pipeline of new hematologists.

Awardees include: 

  • Shani Johnson Anum, MD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is leveraging the ASH RC SCD Data Hub to identify predictors of severe acute chest syndrome in children and adults with SCD to improve risk management, inform timely interventions, and reduce disparities in acute care.
  • Ibrahim Gwarzo, DrPH, MPH, MBBS, of Sidney Kimmel Medical School at Thomas Jefferson University (​Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley), is investigating delays in emergency department pain episodes among individuals living with SCD, identify disparities in pain management, and highlight areas for improvement.
  • Lauren Merz, MD, MSc, of the University of Michigan, is studying the rates of blood clots and assessing blood clot risk factors in individuals living with SCD to help provide patients personalized advice on their risk of developing blood clots.
  • Andrew Wilks, MD, MS, of Boston Medical Center, is studying whether a potential biomarker in individuals living with SCD is associated with pain crises, red blood cell breakdown, and organ damage. He is also studying whether this biomarker is predictive of sub-phenotypes of SCD.
  • Julia Xu, MD, MScGH, of the University of Pittsburgh, aims to identify distinct patterns of kidney function decline in individuals living with SCD, with a focus on recognizing which patients are at the highest risk for rapid progression to end-stage kidney disease.

The American Society of Hematology and ASH RC continue to champion advocacy efforts and support hematologists through the #Fight4Hematology. Join the fight by visiting hematology.org/fight4hematology.

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