The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss) announced that Dr. Vijay Rangachari has been awarded a prestigious $500,000 research grant, part of a $2.5 million global initiative supporting innovative work in neurodegenerative disease research. He is one of only five scientists worldwide to receive this recognition, placing the university on the international stage.
The award was presented under the 2025 Tauopathy Challenge Workshop, a funding program organized by the Rainwater Charitable Foundation (RCF), one of the largest independent supporters of tauopathy studies. The initiative is run in partnership with CurePSP, the Aging Mind Foundation, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
The Tauopathy Challenge is designed to unite leading experts across disciplines to address pressing gaps in the understanding of primary tauopathies—devastating brain disorders with no available cures. By backing bold and innovative approaches, the program aims to accelerate new therapies for conditions such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and frontotemporal dementias (FTDs).
Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Rangachari said, “Being selected as one of only five global recipients for this honor is both humbling and inspiring. We thank the Rainwater Foundation and its partners for recognizing the importance of our research on hybrid amyloids, a potentially critical factor in neurodegeneration. This award motivates us to push boundaries and generate new insights.”
Rangachari’s project focuses on the interaction between two harmful amyloid-forming proteins—tau and TDP-43—that are linked to several neurodegenerative conditions. While each protein is known to create toxic aggregates independently, his lab is investigating whether they can also form combined structures, called “hybrid amyloids,” which could accelerate disease progression.
The study aims to identify these deposits in human brain tissue, characterize their molecular features, and determine how they impact neuronal health. The long-term vision is to create antibodies capable of detecting these harmful proteins at early stages, paving the way for earlier diagnoses and possible therapeutic interventions.
Through this groundbreaking research, Dr. Rangachari and Southern Miss join the global effort to unravel the mysteries of neurodegenerative diseases and move closer to transformative solutions for patients worldwide.
