Sanford researchers awarded major grants from NIH

Research studies include in-depth look at ovarian cancer, binge eating disorders

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August 22, 2025
3 min read
Sanford researchers awarded major grants from NIH
At Sanford Research, Dr. Pilar de la Puente, Dr. Ikuo Masuho, and Dr. Leah Irish have been awarded more than $8 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). (Photo by Sanford Health)

Sanford Research has been awarded more than $8 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study ovarian cancer, binge eating disorders and G protein-coupled receptor (GCPR) signaling.

Dr. Leah Irish, associate professor of psychology at North Dakota State University and adjunct faculty with Sanford Research, received a $3.2 million grant to research the link between sleep disturbance and binge eating. Sanford Research will contribute to the grant from the National Institute of Mental Health with a team including Drs. Lauren Schaefer, Leslie Laam, Stephen Wonderlich, Scott Engel and Kristine Steffen.

Dr. Pilar de la Puente and her lab were awarded a $2.75 million grant to study ovarian cancer. The lab will investigate how chemotherapy triggers changes in the tumor’s surrounding environment, which in turn can worsen treatment resistance. The lab’s goal is to identify new ways to improve chemotherapy effectiveness for women with this devastating disease.

Dr. Ikuo Masuho and his lab have been awarded a $2.1 million grant to study G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), one of the most important targets for drug development. The team aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and structural basis by which GPCR signaling molecules regulate diverse cellular functions, identify the underlying causes of disease, and translate these insights into medical applications. Their ultimate goal is to develop pharmacotherapies with minimal side effects and to pioneer personalized treatments that improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

For more information about Sanford Research, visit research.sanfordhealth.org.

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Posted In Behavioral Health, Cancer, Cancer Screenings, Cancer Treatments, General, Genetics, Gynecology, Healthy Living, Leadership in Health Care, News, Nutrition, People & Culture, Pulmonology, Research, Sioux Falls, Sleep Medicine, Specialty Care, Weight Loss, Women's

Jon Berg
Jon Berg is a lead media relations specialist for Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in broadcast journalism. Jon spent seven years working in television news in both Sioux Falls and Bismarck, before joining Sanford Health in 2014. Jon is married to his wife, Abbi, and has two boys, Connor and Eli. In his spare time he enjoys being outside and spending time with his family. You can reach him on the Sanford Health media line at (605) 366-2432 or jon.berg@sanfordhealth.org.