Promoting innovation & research discovery to improve nutrition care 
and health

At the ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation, we are proud to support exceptional scientific research projects on clinical nutrition. Our mission is raising money to fund research that translates to safe and effective nutrition care.
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Celebrating at the Symposium:

Latest News & Updates

ASPEN was pleased to present the second annual Nutrition Research Discoveries Symposium and Celebration during ASPEN24! Participants delved into the latest breakthroughs funded by the ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation grants, showcasing how these grants propelled careers in nutrition research. Watch the presentation or learn more about the presenters below:
2021 Awardee:
Optimal Lipid Supplementation Strategy for the Prevention and Treatment of Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Liver Disease in Children with Intestinal Failure
Vikram Raghu MD, MS
Daniel H. Teitelbaum Grant
Watch The Latest Year 1 : Grant Completion
Year 1 | Updates
Year 1: Grant Completion Year 1: Introduction Year 1: Grant Progress
2021 & 2022 Awardee:
Effect of early-life feeding types on neurodevelopment mediated by the gut-brain axis
Yimin Chen PhD, RDN
$25,000 Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Research Grant
Watch The Latest Year 2 : Grant Progress
Year 2 | Updates
Year 2: Grant Progress
Year 1 | Updates
Year 1: Introduction Year 1: Grant Progress
Mission & Vision

About the Foundation

The ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation promotes innovation and research discovery to improve nutrition care and health, raising money to fund clinical and metabolic research that translates to safe and effective nutrition care.

Name in honor of Jonathan Rhoads, M.D., for his outstanding and renowned contributions to science in the fields of clinical nutrition, nutrition support, and surgery, the Foundation funds exceptional scientific research projects on clinical nutrition and metabolic support.

Future research should include both basic science-oriented investigations aimed at improving our understanding of the science of nutrient regulation in different disease states, as well as clinical and translational research to determine how the practice of nutrition support can continue to be refined and individualized to optimize clinical outcomes.

Vision:
Promotes innovation and research discovery to improve nutrition care and health.

Mission:
Raises money to fund clinical and metabolic research that translates to safe and effective nutrition care.

Your donation matters

The Impact of Foundation Grants

$2.90 Million Funding dollars that the Foundation has awarded to early career investigators
138 Articles Peer-reviewed scientific journal articles that have been published based upon the recipients’ initial work from their Foundation grants
144 Grants Awarded to 118 investigators, clinicians, trainees, and graduate students
IMPACTFUL STORIES
Hear from the Patients We Help
New
“I wasn’t absorbing enough calories, and I kept losing weight. I was down to 112 pounds”
Tonya’s Story: A Warrior’s Relentless Battle Against Gastroparesis
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“I didn’t want to just survive on [parenteral nutrition]…I wanted to thrive.”
Trinity’s Story: University Student’s Hunger for Knowledge Fueled by Parenteral Nutrition
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“Malnutrition happens so quickly and can have such a cascading impact. Physicians need to keep nutrition as part of their care plan.”
Chad’s Story: Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, and Malnutrition Are No Match for This Devoted Couple
Read Now
“Looking at Spencer today, it’s hard to believe that all of his nutritional needs have been met through a feeding tube in his stomach.”
Spencer’s Story: Surviving and Thriving on a G-Tube
Read Now
“Don’t delay in taking advantage of the strength and energy delivered by a G-tube.”
Darin’s Story: Fuel for the Fight
Read Now
“Anytime I post a picture on social media, I tag it with #tpnstrong to show people new to PN that you can live a full life and thrive on PN.”
Emma’s Story: Living Life PN Strong
Read Now
“For 20 days, the ventilator and orogastric tube kept John alive and gave him the time to be treated…”
John’s Story: Tube Feeding Fueled Dad’s Victory Over COVID-19
Read Now
“Nutrition support is…the fuel providing 100% of my nutritional needs and makes it possible to carry out my passion for nursing. “
Rebekah’s Story: Thriving on Parenteral Nutrition and Working as a Registered Nurse
Read Now
“As healthcare providers, we are not immune to illness…I hope to bridge the gap between patients and physicians.”
Claudia’s Story: Tube Feeding and IV Fluids are Keeping Me Alive and Helping Me Become A Doctor
Read Now
“That nutrition support I received saved me—and saved my beautiful baby—not just once, but twice. “
Christine’s Story: IV Feeding Saved Me and My Babies
Read Now
“In the hospital, Dad grew weaker, and it wasn’t until 10 days into his stay that he was started on nutrition intervention.”
Dr. Salob’s Story: Spotting Malnutrition in Seniors
Read Now
“It amazes me that someone so small can be so tough and so happy. She is my inspiration.”
Piper’s Story: IV and Tube Feeding is Helping Baby Piper Grow
Read Now
“Corey is an amazing fighter and NG tube feeding is keeping him nourished, allowing him to grow and face his physical challenges.”
Corey’s Story: Tube Feeding is Helping Corey Tackle His Physical Challenges
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“Food is medicine. If it were not for tube feeding, my health outcome might have been different.”
Jeannie Gaffigan’s Story: Tube Feeding Helped Me Recover from Brain Surgery
Read Now

The Foundation will offer grants in the following amounts:

$25,000
Annual award
May be renewable for one year.
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Although funds for a second year are not guaranteed, the investigator may apply for a second year of funding. These grants are targeted to support early-stage career investigators with a PhD, MD or PharmD that have more advanced academic training, including senior postdoctoral fellows and those with academic faculty appointments at the Instructor or Assistant Professor level.
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$10,000
Annual Award
Not Renewable
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The smaller grants may be most useful to support data collection and analysis for small projects including those that are part of a Masters, PharmD, or PhD program, or to support the generation of preliminary data for a new line of investigation.
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Take the Next Step

Join Us in driving the therapies of tomorrow

The impact of your investment is impressive. Scientists receiving our grants have gone on to conduct research leading to important scientific advances. These scientists have used the Foundation’s grant funding to gain the experience and credibility necessary for successful careers in nutrition research. Most importantly, their work has helped improve the quality of life for thousands of patients.

Support the Foundation
Donate Today
Your support funds innovative and creative scientific research
Donate Now
Learn More
Rhoads Research Foundation Grants
How to apply & view grant recipients
Apply Now
Research Award
George Blackburn Award
Nominate or apply today!
Learn More
New!
Support Blackburn Grant
Help us fund a new grant!
Support Blackburn

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