SFARI

This issue of the SFARI newsletter includes: (1) Winter 2019 Pilot Awards – Request for applications, (2) SFARI scientific perspectives, (3) SFARI RFA reboot: Why, what and how, (4) Drosophila and zebrafish models added to SFARI Gene, (5) SFARI Investigators elected to the National Academy of Sciences, (6) Workshop highlights online platforms for visualizing and exploring SFARI genomics data, (7) Genomic analysis for autism risk variants in SPARK – Request for applications, (8) 2018 Bridge to Independence Award – Request for applications, (9) Past lecture: Matthew State, “Autism genetics: Where have we been and where are we going?”, (10) Past lecture: Jennifer A. Doudna, “CRISPR systems: Editing the code of life”.

This issue of the SFARI newsletter includes: (1) Upcoming changes to SFARI’s requests for grant applications, (2) SFARI Gene: New data release, (3) SFARI Investigators elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, (4) SFARI booths at INSAR 2018, (5) SFARI presentations at INSAR 2018, (6) Special Interest Group at INSAR 2018: Promoting partnerships between patient advocacy groups and researchers to improve autism research, (7) Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell survey.

This issue of the SFARI newsletter includes: (1) endy Chung appointed as chief of the Department of Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital, (2) SFARI workshop on sensory differences in autism, (3) 2022 Genomics of ASD awardees announced, (4) SFARI at INSAR 2023, (5) Highlights of SFARI-funded research, (6) 2023 Human Cognitive and Behavioral Science — Request for applications, (6) Simon Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN), (7) 2023 Cross-Species Studies of ASD — Request for applications.

This issue of the SFARI newsletter includes: (1) SFARI Research Math, (2) Simons Foundation seeks proposals for new neuroscience collaborations, (3) Simons Searchlight gathers families and researchers for conference on CSNK2A1– and SETBP1–related conditions, (4) New Spectrum book showcases the scientists studying the biology of autism, (5) Event: Informational session: Cross-Species Studies of ASD request for applications (RFA), (6) Highlights of SFARI-funded research, (7) Bridge to Independence Award — Request for applications.

On January 26, 2018, SFARI held a workshop to discuss the use of zebrafish in autism research. Experts in both rodent and fish models discussed key issues in the field, including zebrafish mutant construct validity, the visualization of circuit development and function, and high-throughput phenotyping and pharmacological screens for translational opportunities.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SFARI replaced the in-person spring 2020 science meeting that was scheduled April 5–7 with a series of seven weekly webinars held between April 17 and May 29.

Peter Kind and Loren Frank discuss their work using SFARI’s genetic rat models and their views on how these models will aid autism research.

On April 26 and 29, 2021, SFARI and the Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain hosted a virtual workshop that focused on the use of rats as a model system for autism spectrum disorder. The workshop discussed advantages and limitations of using rat models, evaluated the need for cross-species studies and considered strategies to move the field forward.

SFARI’s requests for grant applications (RFAs) will be undergoing a number of changes in 2021. These changes include the introduction of the new Human Cognitive and Behavioral Science RFA, a single call for Pilot Awards, the suspension of the Research Award RFA and the launch of several targeted funding initiatives.

SFARI is pleased to announce that it has selected six finalists in response to the Bridge to Independence Award request for applications. This new awards program is intended to invest in the next generation of top autism investigators by identifying talented early-career scientists and facilitating their transition to an independent research career.