The Koschmann lab is studying the molecular mechanisms by which mutations in pediatric High-Grade Glioma and Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) can be therapeutically targeted. The Koschmann Lab’s work in precision medicine pushes the boundaries of targeted therapies and precision diagnostics for children diagnosed with these brain tumors. Through highly collaborative basic, translational, and clinical research, the Koschmann Lab strives towards improving outcomes and providing hope for children fighting these devastating diseases.
We are thankful beyond words
for the generous support from our donors and the University of Michigan Department of Pediatrics.
Our endless gratitude is matched only by our eternal optimism. With the help of our donors and visionary people like you, all working together, we will find the answers and the cures.
Chad Carr Pediatric Brain Tumor Center
The Chad Carr Pediatric Brain Tumor Center was established in 2018 through the efforts of the Chad Carr family and a few dedicated volunteers who, along with U-M leadership, envisioned what it would take to make U-M a leader in the care, treatment and cure of pediatric brain tumors, especially DIPG. The first major gift establishing a concerted pediatric brain tumor research endeavor at U-M came in early 2015, and the initiative’s first two projects were funded in 2016. In 2017, the endeavor picked up speed with the formal introduction of the annual Proof of Principal Research Collaboration (P3RC) Award. Work in the Koschmann lab and trial now enrolling children with high-grade glioma and DIPG at the University of Michigan were selected for funding through this award process.
The ChadTough DEFEAT DIPG Foundation
The mission of The ChadTough Foundation is to fund research and raise awareness for Pediatric Brain Tumors with an emphasis on Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). DIPG presents a great challenge, it is an extremely difficult and complex disease. We believe a cure will come from talented, passionate people working collaboratively. It will come from “Thinking outside the Box” and taking some risks. It will come from small breakthroughs happening in many different areas of medicine. The ChadTough Foundation is committed to funding this work. The ChadTough Foundation has supported the Koschmann lab through fundraising and support of the Chad Carr PBTC and directly with the contribution of major two year grant to support collaborative work on improving therapies for DIPG in the Koschmann and Venneti labs.
Yuvaan Tiwari Foundation
The Yuvaan Tiwari Foundation is built on love, hope and an unwavering determination to find a cure for DMG/DIPG and other deadly pediatric brain tumors. The foundation was established by Parvati and Satya Tiwari to honor the legacy of their son Yuvaan (Yuvi). At age two, Yuvi was diagnosed with a thalamic H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma, which he bravely fought for seven months. The Yuvaan Tiwari Foundation funds research to find a cure for DMG/DIPG and other fatal pediatric brain cancers, while supporting patients and families along their journey. The foundation has supported DMG research in the Koschmann Lab since 2021.
In 2022, the Yuvaan Tiwari provided a $1 million gift to the Koschmann laboratory to support an investigative study that will attempt to bring into the clinic a drug that targets a protein called EGFR and could offer a treatment opportunity for children with brain tumors. See more information on this incredible gift here.
catching up with jack
Started by Brady and Katie Fineske, Catching up with Jack is a charitable fund focused on helping find a cure through research dollars, and helping other families faced with a pediatric cancer diagnosis. The Fund is inspired by their son, Jack, who was treated at Mott Hospital for medulloblastoma, and passed away in 2015. Catching Up With Jack harnesses Jack’s incredible courage, faith, and sense of community. Catching Up with Jack has been a huge supporter of the Koschmann lab, and some of the proceeds from the 2017 and 2018 Catching Up with Jack 5K were donated to pay for multiple pieces of innovative equipment to allow for the in-house integration of tumor sequencing in the Koschmann lab to help advance new therapies for children with high-risk brain tumors.
Morgan Behen Golf Classic
The Morgan Behen Golf Classic was started in the memory of Morgan Behen, who was treated at Mott Hospital for both medulloblastoma and DIPG secondary to her medulloblastoma therapy. She passed away in 2016 after a long and brave battle. Morgan was a student teacher and beloved by her students, her friends and family. The Morgan Behen Golf Classic was founded to support scholarship for exemplary students studying elementary education. Since 2019, funds from the Golf Classic have also been used to support DIPG research in the Koschmann lab. The Behen family remains very engaged in ongoing research to improve treatments for future children with DIPG.
Prayers From MAria / Kasey MIKES GRANT
Ed and Megan started Prayers from Maria - Children’s Glioma Cancer Foundation that is dedicated to funding global research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for childhood brain tumors, known as gliomas. Because childhood gliomas are grossly under funded, the McNamara family is diligently working to make a difference by raising public awareness and bringing hope to children and their families who live with this disease. To date, the Foundation has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to desperately needed research. The Koschmann lab was awared the Kasey Mikes Grant from 2019-2021 for work with precision medicine therapy and CSF tDNA monitoring of H3K27M-mutant DIPG.
DIPG COLLABORATIVE
The DIPG Collaborative is a collection of foundations with the common interest of inspiring research into the cure of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) with the belief that through a cure for DIPG, significant advances in other cancer research will be made. Originally an organic development of the DIPG Symposium held in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA in 2011, today the DIPG Collaborative is made up of more than 20 foundations. The DIPG Collaboartive awarded a grant to the Koschmann lab from 2019-2021 for work on therapuetic reveral of prenatal pontine signaling of ID1 signalling in DIPG.
Michael MILLER MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
The Michael Miller Memorial Foundation was formed in 2018 to honor Michael, who passed away in July 2017 from DIPG at the age of 14. Michael fought bravely for 20 months after his diagnosis. Michael always had a smile on his face and brought happiness and joy to so many friends and family members.
Michael had his treatment at the University of Michigan and was treated by Dr. Koschmann. Our Mission Statement is to celebrate and honor the life of Michael Miller by supporting his passions, bringing sunshine and inspiration to families battling cancer, and raising awareness and funding for DIPG and other childhood cancers. We are honored to join the Koschmann Lab in the fight against DIPG.
NIH/NINDS
The mission of the NINDS branch of the NIH is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. To support this mission, NINDS: Supports and performs basic, translational, and clinical neuroscience research. Funds and conducts research training and career development programs to increase basic, translational and clinical neuroscience expertise and ensure a vibrant, talented, and diverse work force. And they promotes the timely dissemination of scientific discoveries and their implications for neurological health to the public, health professionals, researchers, and policy-makers. Dr. Koschmann was awarded an NIH/NINDS K08 award (2016-2021) and an NIH/NINDS R01 (2021-2026) for work studying the role of the histone chaperone protein ATRX in pediatric high-grade glioma. A second NIH/NINDS R01 (2022-2027) was awarded for study of the imipridone ONC201 in DIPG/DMG.