The human side of science at LJI | 2026 SPARK Awards Finalists

Behind every experiment is a story of curiosity, resilience, and hope. Several 2026 Tullie and Rickey Families SPARK Awards finalists share what inspired them to become scientists—whether it was the spark of childhood curiosity or witnessing the toll of diseases like cancer, neurodevelopmental disorders, or ALS in loved ones. These experiences fueled their determination to persevere in academia and seek answers that medicine has not yet found.

For more information about the finalists' proposed projects and the Tullie and Rickey Families SPARK Awards, please visit this link: https://lji.org/SPARK

La Jolla Institute for Immunology’s Tullie and Rickey Families SPARK Awards for Innovations in Immunology is a structured, multi-year program designed to support early-career scientists and catalyze bold new ideas. This philanthropically funded program offers $30,000 per award in seed funding to support projects that may not secure traditional grant funding due to their innovative or “risky” nature, where preliminary data are crucial for success in subsequent peer reviews, such as those conducted by the NIH. The program’s goal is to enable scientists to generate enough preliminary data for bold new approaches to diagnoses, treatments, and potential cures for diseases that affect us today so that they can attract additional funding to achieve Life Without Disease®.

What sets SPARK apart is its dual focus on cutting-edge research and professional development. In addition to receiving seed funding for high-risk, high-reward projects, finalists also gain specialized training on communicating their research to a range of audiences.

The program’s hyper-competitive format stimulates the real-world challenges of securing research grants and biotech investment, equipping young scientists with practical tools for career success. Over the course of eight months, SPARK awardees lead their own independent research projects, generating preliminary data that often lays the groundwork for larger grants and future clinical breakthroughs.

Support The Tullie and Rickey Families SPARK Awards for Innovations in Immunology: https://donate.lji.org/SPARK
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2026 SPARK Awards Finalists
Emil Johansson, Ph.D. https://www.lji.org/spark26-emil/
Jessica Nevarez-Mejia, Ph.D. https://www.lji.org/spark26-jessica/
Mousa Vatanmakanian, Ph.D. https://www.lji.org/spark26-mousa/
Rashmi Tippalagama, Ph.D. https://www.lji.org/spark26-rashmi/
Remi Marrocco, Ph.D. https://www.lji.org/spark26-remi/
Tanner Michaelis https://www.lji.org/spark26-tanner/
Violante Olivari, Ph.D. https://www.lji.org/spark26-violante/
Zhen Dong, Ph.D. https://www.lji.org/spark26-zhen/

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