AATB Celebrates Innovation, Naming 2025 Grant Program Recipients

We are excited to announce that, following a rigorous review and evaluation by the STAC Grant Subcommittee, two proposals have been selected as this year’s AATB Grant Program recipients. Chosen for their innovation, scientific merit, and strong alignment with AATB’s mission, these projects represent meaningful progress in tissue donation and transplantation. 

Dr. Taufiek Konrad Rajab 
Arkansas Children's Research Institute
Effect of AATB Standard D5.400 on Donor Cell Viability of Partial Heart Transplant Grafts

Dr. Rajab, a double board-certified congenital cardiac surgeon, has pioneered work in partial heart transplantation, from demonstrating growth in large animal models to leading the first human procedure. This project will build on that experience to address a critical unmet need in pediatric transplantation: determining whether donor heart valves recovered under AATB Standard D5.400 remain viable for partial heart transplants. 

Using a large-animal model, the team will evaluate valve growth potential and donor cell viability, key measures that cannot be reliably assessed in laboratory or small-animal studies. This work could pave the way for growth-compatible heart valve allografts to be recovered and distributed through a tissue workflow, making partial heart transplants more accessible and reducing the need for multiple surgeries in children. 

The anticipated findings will inform recovery protocols, processing standards, and best practices in cardiac allografts, marking an important milestone in applying AATB standards to advanced transplant techniques.

Robert D. Galiano 
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
Comparative Efficacy of Allograft-Derived Tissues & ECMs Versus Non-Allograft Technologies in Modulating Fibrosis and Promoting Regenerative Wound Healing

Dr. Galiano, a Professor of Plastic Surgery and Co-Director of the Laboratory for Tissue Repair and Regenerative Surgery, and Dr. Hong, a Research Associate Professor specializing in molecular biology and wound healing, will lead this project focused on advancing regenerative medicine. Together, they bring extensive experience in the science and clinical application of tissue repair, scarring, and biologic materials. 

This project will deliver the first in-depth, head-to-head comparison of human-derived extracellular matrices (ECMs) and non-allograft alternatives for wound healing and fibrosis management. As ECMs, such as decellularized amnion and dermis, are increasingly used in surgical and outpatient care, there is a pressing need for clear evidence on how they perform compared to synthetic and xenograft materials. 

Combining animal studies and human clinical research, the team will assess how different matrix sources influence cellular response, healing speed, and scar formation. By using histological, molecular, and biomechanical measures, the study aims to generate data that can guide surgeons, product developers, and regulatory bodies in making evidence-based decisions. 

The AATB Grant Program was established to fund research that drives innovation and produces practical benefits for patients, the tissue community, and the broader field of transplantation. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s recipients and look forward to the insights and progress their work will bring. Thank you to all applicants for your submissions. We encourage continued innovation and collaboration within the allograft tissue industry, academic research institutions, and medical centers.