Fight Like the Averys Grant

FLAG Grant Awardees

Meet the researchers advancing new approaches to treating pediatric brain cancer through the Fight Like the Averys Grant.

FLAG Research Funding
$350,000
Awarded to innovative pediatric brain cancer research projects.

Funded Research Projects

Frank Huang, PhD
2026–2027 Award

Frank Huang, PhD

Mayo Clinic — College of Medicine and Science
Research Project
Radiation-Activated Pro-Digoxin for Tumor-Confined Radiosensitization in Medulloblastoma
$50,000 / 1 Year
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This project will test a modified form of digoxin designed to become active primarily where radiation is delivered. The goal is to improve radiation treatment of medulloblastoma while reducing harm to healthy tissue.

Max Wintermark, MD
2025 Award

Max Wintermark, MD, MS, MBA

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Research Project
Autophagy Inhibition to Sensitize Medulloblastoma to Enhance NK Cell Immunotherapy
$50,000 / 1 Year
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This study explores whether blocking autophagy, a cellular survival process, can make medulloblastoma tumors more responsive to natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy.

The research also investigates imaging methods for monitoring NK cells in the brain, with the goal of developing more effective and potentially less toxic treatments.

Katrina O'Halloran, MD
Ashley Margol, MD
2024–2026 Funding

Katrina O'Halloran, MD & Ashley Margol, MD

Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Research Project
Cerebrospinal Fluid Liquid Biopsy in Pediatric Embryonal Central Nervous System Tumors
$100,000 / 2 Years
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Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles are investigating whether tumor DNA found in cerebrospinal fluid can help diagnose and monitor pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors.

By tracking changes during treatment and follow-up care, these liquid biopsies may help clinicians detect recurrence and better personalize treatment.

Josh Neman, PhD
2022–2024 Funding

Josh Neman, PhD

Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
Research Project
The Role of GABA Transaminase in Medulloblastoma Local Recurrence and Its Potential as a Therapeutic Target in Medulloblastoma Metastasis
$150,000 / 3 Years
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This project investigates how medulloblastoma tumors recur and spread, focusing on the potential role of the protein GABA transaminase (ABAT).

Researchers are exploring whether targeting ABAT may provide new approaches to treating recurrent or metastatic medulloblastoma.