Grant for Emilie Korchak as part of Uplifting Athletes' 2026 Young Investigator Draft Class
Emilie Korchak (right), pictured as a graduate student in 2023, with her mentor, Irina Bezsonova, in Bezsonova's structural biology lab at UConn Health (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health Photo)
UConn Health postdoctoral fellow Emilie Korchak '25 Ph.D. is among 10 rare disease researchers in the country who will receive a $20,000 research grant later this month.
Korchak works in the structural biology lab of Irina Bezsonova, associate professor of molecular biology and biophysics. Together they are studying Hao-Fountain syndrome, an ultra-rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the USP7 gene. Children with this condition experience speech delays, behavioral challenges, and neurological abnormalities.
"Emilie is most deserving of this award," Irina Bezsonova says. "She dedicated five years of her graduate training to Hao-Fountain syndrome, and her Ph.D. research has significantly advanced our current understanding of this ultra-rare disease. The award will allow her to continue and expand this important work as highly qualified expert in the field."
The grant is from Uplifting Athletes, a nonprofit organization that unites student-athletes nationwide and professional athlete ambassadors with their local rare disease communities. Together, they aim to raise awareness, inspire hope, and generate funds to support the approximately 1 in 10 Americans impacted by rare diseases. The program has awarded more than $1.2 million in grants have been awarded since its inception in 2007.
"I am beyond thrilled to receive this grant, which will allow me to continue my research on Hao-Fountain syndrome," Korchak says. "Working on such a rare disorder gives me the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of my work, both on advancing scientific understanding and on the lives of affected families. The close connection with the community makes the research deeply meaningful and especially rewarding."
Korchak will accept the grant at Uplifting Athletes' Young Investigator Draft, Jan. 31 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Young Investigator Draft is inspired by the National Football League's draft but shifts the focus from selecting potential talent on the football field to recognizing the next generation of promising young medical researchers in rare diseases.
Uncovering how disease-causing USP7 mutations alter cellular function could lead to new therapeutic strategies. There are no treatments for Hao-Fountain syndrome.
"Dr. Korchak is not only an outstanding scientist, but she also cares deeply about people affected by this rare condition," Bezsonova says. "She engages directly with patients and families, communicating her findings openly and thoughtfully. I am immensely proud of Emilie, and confident that her future work will continue to make a meaningful difference for both science and the Hao-Fountain community."
The 2026 Young Investigator Draft audience will include student-athlete leaders from Uplifting Athletes' collegiate chapters across the country, notable professional athletes, biopharmaceutical representatives, health care professionals, and those directly impacted by rare diseases and their families. The Young Investigator Draft is family-friendly, and VIP tickets include a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Eagles' stadium.
"Research funding is critical to advancing discovery of critical treatments and improving outcomes for people impacted by rare diseases who need it most," says Uplifting Athletes President Brett Brackett. "We are thrilled to partner with 10 patient advocacy organizations, and we are overjoyed to celebrate the 2026 Draft class. These world-class researchers represent so much promise for tomorrow, and we are honored to have them on our team."
Learn more about the Uplifting Athletes 2026 Young Investigator Draft, including how to attend.
