The Dan Lewis Foundation for Brain Regeneration Research Announces 2024 Prize Open for Applications
Dan Lewis Foundation | Winter 2024

The Dan Lewis Foundation for Brain Regeneration Research (the DLF) is happy to announce the 2024 DLF Prize. This $20,000 prize will be awarded to an early career scientist in neuroscience, pharmacology, or biotechnology whose research record and future research plans align closely 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 the recovery phase post brain injury
  4. Research furthering the effective design of antisense oligonucleotides and/or other small molecule medicines to down-regulate inhibitors of regeneration in the cortex and spinal cord.


The successful applicant must be an early career scientist in neuroscience, molecular biology, pharmacology, or biotechnology. The “early career scientist” should be within 2-5 years post-completion of their doctoral degree. Full consideration is given to those scientists working in an academic setting (university or non-profit) or commercial setting (e.g., pharmaceutical or biotech company). The application is due March 31, 2024. Full details are available online through the linked application portal below. The winner of the DLF Prize 2024 will be notified in early June 2024.


https://www.danlewisfoundation. org/application-portal   


The winner of the 2023 DLF Prize, Dr. Roei Maimon has focused on stimulating the brain to create new neurons, an important process in mitigating the detrimental effects of neurodegenerative diseases and injuries. Most recently, Dr. Maimon and colleagues designed and executed tests using a certain type of biomolecular “medicines” called antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to generate glia-to-neuron conversion in the adult rodent nervous system. These new neurons matured and functionally integrated into endogenous circuits over a two month period, ultimately positively influencing the behavior of the mice.


Dr. Maimon has demonstrated his enthusiasm for the DLF and for the field of brain regeneration research by participating in several DLF activities designed to increase public awareness of our mission. We look forward to meeting the next DLF Prize winner and to supporting the development of young neuroscientists and their accomplishments in the field of brain regeneration.

Two women embrace, comforted. A man watches from a separate chair. Interior, daytime.

What Does “Ambiguous Loss” Mean?

By Hal Lewis • December 5, 2025
My daughter, currently nearing completion of a graduate program in counselling, recently introduced me to the term “ambiguous loss”. This term applies to a loss that is unclear and lacks certainty, leaving family members and close friends feeling stuck because it is so difficult to mourn or find closure. One type of ambiguous loss is when the person is physically present but psychologically absent because their personality, memory, cognition, or emotional connection has been altered. Examples might include a family member with dementia, a progressive disease, a severe emotional disorder, or substantial brain injury. A second type of ambiguous loss is when the person is psychologically present but physically absent. This could include a missing person due to a natural disaster, a long- term incarceration, a kidnapping, or severe estrangement from the family. This type of loss can lead to intense confusion, frozen grief, and a prolonged sense of helplessness.
Marchell smiling, sitting on a couch, holding notebooks

Marchell’s Story

By Dan Lewis Foundation • December 2, 2025
Marchell is an engaging and energetic middle-aged man who was enthusiastic about being interviewed for the DLF newsletter. He is an activist working to promote the rights and well-being of persons in the brain injury community, with a particular emphasis on helping persons with brain injury who are incarcerated or have been released from prison. Marchell is a successful businessman, proud of the company he co-founded--the Association of Young Business Owners (AYBOS), a marketing company in the Denver, Colorado area. He also works for Well Power (Denver’s Mental Health Center system) as a Zero Suicide Certified Peer and Family Specialist.  Marchell is clearly a man on the move to get a lot of positive things done. But this wasn’t always the case. Marchell spent much of his younger adult life incarcerated himself for a variety of crimes including robbery and assault. He had a history of recidivism following multiple releases.