The ESMINT Pilot Research Grant is designed to foster innovation and support investigator-initiated research within interventional neuroradiology. This prestigious award not only highlights emerging research but also provides early-stage funding that helps investigators gather crucial preliminary data. With this, recipients can leverage their findings to secure additional funding from national agencies or foundations, further advancing their important work.
In 2024, the ESMINT Research & Publication Committee, chaired by Aymeric Rouchaud, carefully reviewed the submitted proposals, seeking projects with strong scientific merit and potential for high impact. After an extensive evaluation process, two outstanding projects were selected for funding, each of which addresses critical challenges in neurointervention and stroke care.
Introducing the 2024 Grant Winners
One of the two grant recipients is Dr. Antonio Laiso from Firenze, Italy. His project, The RADIONICS Study (The pRe-hospital trAnscranial Doppler selectIon fOr patieNts with large vessel oCcluSion), focuses on improving early stroke detection. Under the guidance of Dr. Leonardo Renieri, this study investigates the use of transcranial Doppler in pre-hospital settings to identify patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). Given the pressing need for faster and more accurate stroke triage, the RADIONICS study aims to revolutionize how LVO patients are identified and treated, ultimately improving outcomes for this high-risk group. The ESMINT Pilot Research Grant will support this pioneering research and enable Dr. Laiso to collect initial data crucial for securing further funding.
The other recipient is Dr. Sophia Hohenstatt from Heidelberg, Germany. Her project, Quantification of microplastics and nanoplastics in blood and thrombi of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients, tackles an emerging and innovative area of research. Supervised by Markus Möhlenbruch, this project aims to measure the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in the blood and thrombi of stroke patients. While the long-term effects of these tiny particles on health are still largely unknown, this study could reveal important insights into how environmental factors like plastic pollution may influence the occurrence and severity of strokes. By generating preliminary data, Dr. Hohenstatt’s work could open up new research avenues in stroke prevention and treatment.
The official Award Ceremony for the ESMINT Pilot Research Grant took place during the ESMINT Congress 2024 in Marseille. Held on Thursday, 5th September, from 18:10 to 18:15 CEST, the session was a moment of pride and celebration. Attendees gathered to honor the recipients for their groundbreaking work and contributions to the field of interventional neuroradiology. Both Dr. Laiso and Dr. Hohenstatt were invited to present their work briefly during the session, showcasing the significance of their projects and their potential impact on future research.
The atmosphere was one of excitement and hope for the future, as these two young researchers stood at the forefront of neurointerventional care advancements. Their research, made possible in part by the ESMINT Pilot Research Grant, is expected to pave the way for larger-scale studies and innovations that will benefit patients and clinicians alike.
A Special Feature: ESMINT TV Studio
Following the awards ceremony, an exclusive interview was filmed in the ESMINT TV Studio featuring Dr. Sophia Hohenstatt alongside the winner of the Best European Publication in JNIS. In this insightful conversation, Dr. Hohenstatt discussed the goals of her Pilot Research Grant project, the selection process, and the importance of supporting young researchers in interventional neuroradiology. She shared her excitement about her project and its potential to reveal new connections between environmental pollutants, such as microplastics, and stroke risk.
This interview, along with many other interviews from the ESMINT TV Studio, is available on-demand, offering a valuable resource for those interested in the latest advancements in neurointervention research.
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More InformationLooking to the Future
ESMINT’s dedication to fostering innovation continues to thrive through initiatives like the Pilot Research Grant. The society remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting research excellence and collaboration. Each year, the ESMINT Pilot Research Grant motivates and supports the next generation of researchers, driving advancements in interventional neuroradiology.
For more details about the ESMINT Pilot Research Grant and future application opportunities, visit the Research Grant Page. The next edition is expected to launch in March 2025.
