Each year, the National Fragile X Foundation funds one or more summer student research fellowships at $2500 each through the Summer Student Fellowship Research Fund. The student’s work can be in the area of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) or Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI). This award is meant to introduce undergraduate students, or students in professional training programs, to research in the Fragile X field, by providing funding for a summer project. We understand the importance of investing in the future of Fragile X, and this award is part of our commitment to fostering the researchers of tomorrow.

Below are this year’s recipients, along with their project titles. In the fall, we will report back with summaries of their findings.

  • Testing MicroRNA-Mediated Silencing of Kv4.2 as Therapeutic Target in an FXS Mouse Model
    Joseph Krzeski (Supervisor: Dr. Christina Gross)
  • Evaluation of a Direct Outcome Measure of Social Interaction in Children and Adults with fragile X syndrome
    Mika Nagamoto and Jenna Nagamoto (Supervisor: Nicole Tartaglia, MD)
  • Activity-dependent Dysfunction of Microglia in fragile X syndrome
    Chandler Robinson (Supervisor: Craig A. Erickson, MD)
  • Understanding the Role of Agranular Insular Cortex Projections to the Nucleus Accumbens in the Pathogenesis of Blunted Social Affect in Fragile X
    Seokyu (Philip) Shin (Supervisor: Dr. Gül Dölen)