Advancing Science: NEHA’s Investment In Research
Advancing Science: NEHA’s Investment In Research
Written by Samantha Carlson, MSW, LMSW
Posted: June 10, 2026. This article was originally shared in our Spring 2026 Newsletter.
In 2025, NEHA surpassed a cumulative $125,000+ level of donorship to the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) Judith Graham Pool Post Doctoral Fellowship (JGP).
In recognition of this incredible investment in research, NEHA was able to name one of the JGP Fellows in honor of the NEHA community. Saurabh Kumar, PhD from the Versiti Blood Research Institute in Wisconsin was selected as the NEHA Fellow. Dr. Kumar’s research will focus on understanding how the immune system responds to factor VIII (FVIII) in people with hemophilia A, particularly in those who develop inhibitors. By studying the Tfh/Tfr pathway, he aims to identify new strategies to prevent inhibitor development and improve immune tolerance.
About The JGP Fellowship
Established in 1972, the JGP Fellowship supports early-career scientists conducting basic and pre-clinical research while recruiting new researchers into hematology and fostering long-term careers dedicated to advancing care for individuals with bleeding disorders.
As funding from government and nonprofit sources continues to decline, NBDF, along with chapters around the country, like NEHA, who support this fellowship, remain committed to sustaining this critical program.
Since this fellowship was founded, NBDF has awarded more than $18.9 million across over 275 research studies, including $9.7 million supporting 111 JGP-funded researchers.
The JGP’s Impact In New England
Research activity remains strong in New England, with 14 active JGP researchers funded through $1.2 million in awards.
At NEHA’s Consumer Medical Symposium in March, Dr. Sol Schulman, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, shared how receiving the JGP Fellowship in 2016 significantly influenced his career. He noted that the award enabled him to dedicate protected time to hemophilia research and demonstrated the importance of his work to external funders. Dr. Schulman expressed his gratitude to NBDF, emphasized his commitment to mentoring future hematologists, and highlighted the value of engagement with patients and caregivers through regional and national events.
Samantha is the Director of Research at the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF).
Photo: Dr. Judith Graham Pool conducting research.