Dr. William Zeiger is the 2024 recipient of the $20,000 DLF Prize
Dan Lewis Foundation | Summer 2024

The Dan Lewis Foundation for Brain Regeneration Research (the DLF) is extremely pleased to introduce the recipient of the 2024 DLF Prize, Dr. William Zeiger. The DLF Prize recognizes an early career scientist in neuroscience, pharmacology, or biotechnology whose research record and future research plans align with one or more of the DLF’s current research priorities. These research priorities are:


  1. Research into pharmacological methods of reactivating or augmenting synaptogenesis
  2. Research into trials of repleting damaged cortex using derived cortical neurons
  3. Research into transcriptomic profiles of cortical neurons during recovery phase post brain injury
  4. Research furthering effective design of anti-sense oligonucleotides and/or other small molecule medicines to down-regulate inhibitors of regeneration in the cortex and spinal cord


Dr. Zeiger is a physician-scientist in the Department of Neurology, Movement Disorders Division, at UCLA. Dr. Zeiger was born in Burlington, Wisconsin and grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he majored in Molecular and Cellular Biology. He then completed the M.D.,Ph.D. program at the University of Chicago. 



Dr. Zeiger’s doctoral research focused on understanding the cell biology of the stress-induced protein Stanniocalcin 2, and the role of calcium homeostasis in regulating amyloid beta production. Dr. Zeiger completed clinical residency training in neurology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and UCLA. He then did a fellowship, specializing in movement disorders at UCLA and completing post-doctoral research in the laboratory of Dr. Carlos Portera-Cailliau. Dr. Zeiger has expertise in the diagnosis and medical treatment of movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease, atypical Parkinsonism, tremors, and dystonia, among others. His research interest includes understanding mechanisms of cortical circuit function in the healthy brain and how dysfunction of cortical circuits contributes to pathophysiology and symptoms of neurologic disorders such as stroke and Parkinson's disease.


Dr. Zeiger has had extensive training in both clinical neurology and in research neuroscience. In Dr. Zeiger’s words,  “During my time in clinical training, I came to appreciate that many neurologic disorders, particularly those resulting from stroke or other acute brain injuries, operate on the level of neural circuits and that I would need to acquire new research skills to investigate neural circuits. Toward that end I joined the laboratory of Dr. Carlos Portera-Cailliau where I developed expertise in interrogating neural circuits using a classic “lesional neurology” approach. Our lab remains focused on understanding how neural circuits become dysfunctional after lesions to the cortex and on investigating novel circuit-based approaches to reactivate and restore damaged cortex”. 


The DLF is enthusiastic regarding the content and quality of Dr. Zeiger’s work. We believe he will make significant contributions to the field of brain regeneration in the future. We look forward to his participation in and contributions to the DLF.

The word arpah is written in blue letters on a white background.

ARPA-H Announcement Seeks Research Projects in Brain Regeneration

By Dan Lewis Foundation • July 31, 2025
On July 10, 2025, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) announced a major initiative titled Functional Repair of Neocortical Tissue or FRONT. The announcement states “FRONT will pioneer a curative therapy for the more than 20 million adults in the US living with chronic neocortical brain damage from neurodegeneration, stroke, trauma, and other causes, which costs the country an estimated $800 billion per year. Worldwide, more than 200 million people live with debilitating after-effects of brain damage.”  A set of informational meetings about this program and a due date for outlines of potential proposals have been set for August. Full proposals are due by September 25, 2025. Complete instructions, specifications, and expectations are delineated in the ARPA-H FRONT announcement. The FRONT announcement includes a clear expectation that the successful brain regeneration methods that are discovered will be used in clinical trials with persons with brain injury by the fifth year of the program. The DLF lauds ARPA-H for initiating this program. We are discussing possibilities for playing a supportive role as proposals develop. This exciting program is congruent with the original overarching goals of the DLF and confirms the validity of its mission.
Photo of Dr. Justin Burrell

2025 DLF Prize Awarded to Justin Burrell, Ph.D.

By Dan Lewis Foundation • July 31, 2025
Dr. Burrell is a translational neuroengineer in the Departments of Neurosurgery and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. His research integrates advanced neural repair strategies with clinical translation, focusing on axon protection, nerve fusion, and engineered neural tissue for neurotrauma recovery. Dr. Burrell has led the development of multiple first-in-field innovations—including the first large-animal model of nerve fusion, delayed axonal fusion protocols, and the first orally active axonal protectants—positioning him as a recognized leader in regenerative neurotechnologies. He is co-founder of Neurostorative LLC and plays a central role in several other platforms aimed at neural reconnection, long-term preservation, and bio-integrated prosthetic systems.