AABB Foundation Congratulates Recipients of 2026 Early-Career Scientific Research Grants

AABB and the AABB Foundation are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 AABB Foundation Early-Career Scientific Research Grants. This year, five early-career investigators were selected to receive grant funding for projects designed to advance blood and biotherapies.

This year’s grant recipients are:

Eric Cross, MD, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Project Title: “Leveraging NAD metabolism for optimal CAR T cell manufacturing”

Elizabeth Frost, PhD 
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia 
Project Title: “Alloimmune CD8 T cells as mediators of platelet refractoriness in mice”

Ethan A Mack, MD, PhD 
Columbia University Medical Center 
Project Title: “Impacts of sickle cell disease and red cell exchange on granulopoiesis and neutrophil heterogeneity”

Andrew R Milewski, MD, PhD 
Weill Medical College of Cornell University.  
Project Title: “Toward faster detection of hyperfibrinolysis”

Ifeyinwa Maryann Okafor, BMLS, MSc, PhD 
University of Rwanda 
Project Title: “Genetically informed transfusion strategies for sickle cell disease in Nigeria and Rwanda”

“The AABB Foundation is pleased to support the research of five exceptional investigators this year. We applaud their work and the goals of their research projects, and hope this funding helps to further their efforts to drive new advancements in the field,” said AABB Foundation president Delisa English, MBA. “The AABB Foundation also acknowledges the generous support of many individuals and institutions who have contributed to make these grants possible. We are grateful for their support.”