Hermann Receives NIH Pathway to Independence Award
Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Brian Hermann, PhD, received a Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The award, which will support his salary and research costs, “is designed to facilitate the rapid transition of the most promising and exceptionally talented new investigators into independent research careers,” according to the NIH.

Dr. Hermann, whose research focuses on male infertility, will receive $90,000 per year for up to two years to complete his research under Kyle Orwig, PhD. Once appointed to an independent tenure-track faculty position, he will be eligible for $249,000 per year for up to three years. Transition from the mentored research phase (K99) to the independent scientist phase (R00) of the award is contingent upon a review of his accomplishments. “Brian’s research has had a significant impact on our understanding of spermatogenic lineage development and may have important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility,” Dr. Orwig says.

The K99/R00 program is designed to pave the way for new investigators to secure independent research grant (R01) support. “This grant will give me the support to launch my research program and be a step ahead of my peers when applying for R01 funding,” Dr. Hermann says.

Dr. Hermann studies spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), which are responsible for producing sperm in the testes. Under the award, his focus is shifting from translational research involving non-human primates to fundamental biology using mouse models.

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