Fundación Para La Salud Y La Educación DR. Salvador Zubirán, A.C.

Fundación Para La Salud Y La Educación DR. Salvador Zubirán, A.C. is a non-profit organization registered to receive awards from the U.S. federal government. As a corporate entity with tax-exempt status, it primarily engages in medical research and education activities. The foundation's expertise lies in the areas of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), as well as influenza research. Through its involvement in federal contract and grant sub-awards, the organization contributes to important studies aimed at improving understanding and diagnosis of these conditions, especially within diverse populations in Latin America.

In terms of federal contract sub-awards, Fundación Para La Salud Y La Educación DR. Salvador Zubirán, A.C. has been involved in a significant project under a contract awarded to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). This project focuses on identifying genetic risk factors for AD and FTD in diverse Latin American populations. The foundation's role includes collecting and shipping DNA samples for whole genome sequencing, with Dr. Avila Funes serving as the site Principal Investigator (PI). The organization is responsible for overseeing the local team, ensuring access to local DNA and clinical data, participating in investigator meetings, preparing grant reports, and contributing to research papers. Additionally, the foundation is involved in training clinicians in Latin America to enhance their understanding of AD and related diseases, improving diagnostic capabilities, and promoting research innovation through computational genetics training.

Regarding federal grant sub-awards, the foundation has participated in two notable projects. The first, in collaboration with UCSF, aims to develop an affordable, automated framework to identify discriminatory markers of AD and FTD in Latino and English-speaking populations. In this project, Dr. Avila Funes leads the team in administering language batteries, collecting imaging data, and ensuring adherence to harmonized protocols. The foundation is responsible for data collection, editing, cleaning, de-identification, and integration with clinical data for analysis. The second grant sub-award, in partnership with Children's Hospital Medical Center, focuses on studying the impact of initial influenza exposure on the quality, magnitude, breadth, potency, and durability of influenza immunity. These grant-funded projects demonstrate the foundation's commitment to advancing medical research in neurodegenerative diseases and infectious diseases, with a particular emphasis on serving diverse populations and contributing to international collaborative efforts.