Researchers - Kenneth Rainin Foundation

Researchers

Supporting new and seasoned investigators alike and embracing untested ideas gives us the best chance of discovering breakthroughs in Inflammatory Bowel Disease research. Get to know our Health Program grantees.

Headshot of Roni Nowarski

Roni Nowarski, PhD

Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Current Grantee

The Nowarski lab studies what makes or breaks tissue inflammation with a focus on cytokine signaling, immunometabolism and innate immune memory.
Francesca Petralia, Assistant Professor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Francesca Petralia, PhD

Assistant Professor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Former Grantee

The Petralia lab focuses on developing novel computational methods for the integration of high-dimensional omic data to enhance the understanding of complex diseases.
Fiona Powrie, PhD, Professor, University of Oxford

Fiona Powrie, PhD

Professor, University of Oxford, Former Grantee

The Powrie lab is focused on understanding the interaction between the intestinal microbiota and the host immune system and how this mutualistic relationship breaks down in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and cancer.
Headshot of Manuela Raffatellu, MD

Manuela Raffatellu, MD

Professor; University of California, San Diego; Current Grantee

The Raffatellu lab’s research focus is to understand the complex interplays between gut pathogens, mucosal immunity and the gut microbiota, with the long-term goal of discovering novel and effective therapeutic targets for controlling infection.
Headshot of Gwen Randolph

Gwendalyn Randolph, PhD

Professor, Washington University in St. Louis, Former Grantee

The Randolph laboratory seeks to understand how the clearance of cells and molecules from tissues impacts inflammation, disease states and organ physiology.
Meenakshi Rao, Associate Professor, Boston Children’s Hospital

Meenakshi Rao, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Boston Children’s Hospital, Current Grantee

The Rao lab investigates how the neural networks of the gut detect and use information about nutrients, microbes and hormones to regulate intestinal motility, immune responses and tissue repair.