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Our Grants

Our Grants Support Healthy Outcomes

Funding research that matters

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Treatment

We help improve access to quality care and effective treatment of obesity by eliminating policy, societal, economic and medical barriers.

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Research

We help end the obesity epidemic by sponsoring scientific research grants regarding bariatric surgical procedures and improvement of post surgical outcomes.

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Education

We work to increase awareness and understanding of obesity by educating the public on the prevention and treatment options available.

Grantee Spotlight

Meet the people making the breakthroughs

Data from this work should help provide direction for both medical weight loss physicians as well as bariatric surgeons to better advise patients and make recommendations on using GLP-1 agonists after surgery.

Andrew Wheeler, MD Recipient of the 2023 Research Grant

Study Biometabolic Impact of Continuation of GLP-1 Agonists Following Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Control Trial.

Currently Dr. Wheeler is at the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.  My academic clinical practice focuses on comprehensive weight management. I have a particular clinical interest in maximizing the effectiveness of metabolic surgery using combined medical and surgical therapy before and after surgery.

ASMBS Research Grants

Funded by TREO Foundation

TREO Foundation is working with ASMBS to solve the obesity problem by sponsoring scientific research grants concerning bariatric surgical procedures and improvement of post surgical outcomes.

2023

Andrew Wheeler, MD,
Milot Thaqi, MD

Biometabolic Impact of Continuation of GLP-1 Agonists Following Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Control Trial.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that helps regulate blood glucose levels through improved insulin sensitivity and release of insulin from the pancreas, control hunger, induce satiety and plays a role in the metabolic health of a person. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) have been shown to be effective in achieving weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes while improving blood glucose control. Bariatric surgical procedures have been shown to be effective in treating obesity as well as superior to best medical therapy for treatment of diabetes. Bariatric surgery has been shown to be effective in helping people with obesity lose weight and improve their health not just through restriction of calories but also through a positive impact in modifications of gut hormones, changes in circulating bile acids, modifications in the gut microflora as well as other undefined mechanisms. The combined benefits of GLP1-RAs with bariatric surgery have only been studied to a limited effect. In this randomized trial, the effects of continuation or discontinuation of GLP1-RA therapy in patients undergoing bariatric surgery will be determined.

2023

Thomas Shin, MD, PHD,
Eric G. Sheu, MD, PhD,
Ali Tavakkoli, MD

Spatial Transcriptomics Reveals Oncoprotective Effect of Bariatric Surgery Against Breast Cancer.

While associations between weight gain and canonical pro-carcinogenic factors such as increased inflammation and metabolic derangements have been drawn[1–5], increasing attention is now drawn to the protective effects of weight loss interventions against development of malignancies[6–11]. As one of the most powerful tools to attain durable weight loss, bariatric surgery has become of greater interest as an intervention against cancers involving endocrine and metabolomic homeostasis, such as breast cancer where bariatric surgery confers up to a 37% risk reduction of breast cancer[12–18]. However, current literature exploring the relationship between breast cancer and weight loss has been retrospective human and small-scale mouse syngeneic graft studies without a focused delve into tumor microenvironment changes and surrounding breast stroma; limiting their generalizability and ability to conclude causality[12, 15, 16].

2022

2022 ASMBS Obesity in America Survey

The survey explored public perceptions of obesity and its treatment amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers hypothesized that the American experience with COVID-19 would change the public’s views and behaviors on obesity, which emerged as a major risk factor for severe outcomes from COVID. 

We are excited to report that the second ASMBS Obesity in America Survey, sponsored by the ASMBS Foundation, soon-to-be TREO Foundation, has been published in SOARD and over the last few weeks, has been the focus of news stories in US News & World Report, HealthDayUPI, News Medical, Bariatric News and many others.

The survey explored public perceptions of obesity and its treatment amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers hypothesized that the American experience with COVID-19 would change the public’s views and behaviors on obesity, which emerged as a major risk factor for severe outcomes from COVID. 

 

Among the Key Findings 

  • Nearly a third of Americans said COVID-19 made them more worried than ever about having obesity, prompting 6.4 million to consider treatment with bariatric surgery and anti-obesity medications for the first time in their lives. 
  • Obesity was considered the biggest health threat facing the country, as big as cancer and even more of a threat than heart disease, diabetes, and COVID-19.
  • Misperceptions persist about the best methods for long-term weight loss with nearly 75% thinking dieting and exercise alone was the most effective, even more so than involving a doctor (65%) or having bariatric and metabolic surgery (56%).

The survey shows public awareness and concerns over the dangers of obesity have never been higher. However, once the pandemic is long over, the disease of obesity will continue to exist in epidemic proportions if we don’t act, which is why your continued support is so vital. We must turn this new consideration of bariatric treatment into action – and the time is now! 

Our partnership with ASMBS remains strong, and together with our donors, we will fuel the change we seek. Visit www.TREOFoundation.org to learn how you can help transform the landscape of obesity treatment. 

 

Healthy Regards,

Carl Pesta, DO

President, ASMBS Foundation

2022

Vance Albaugh

Vance Albaugh, MD, PhD

Functional Brain Imaging Characterization of Weight Regain and Weight Loss Maintenance Patients following Metabolic/Bariatric Surgery

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is the most effective obesity treatment, though the mechanisms underlying its marked weight loss compared to dietary/behavioral approaches remain unclear. Despite its efficacy, however, weight regain can occur. Although weight regain can result from anatomic failure (e.g. gastro-gastric fistula), regain is typically multifactorial (e.g. environment, behavioral stressors, new diagnoses). Surgical treatment for weight regain is increasing1, but understanding weight regain physiology and how surgical treatment alters that physiology remains poorly understood. Better understanding of weight regain physiology and MBS treatments remains critically important.

2021

Lisa R. Matero, MD, PhD, ABPP

Cannabis Use after Bariatric Surgery

To reveal whether patients who undergo bariatric surgery are at increased risk for developing a post-surgical cannabis use disorder and will also shed light on whether cannabis use affects post-surgical weight loss and medical comorbidities. To guide programmatic recommendations and monitoring to help optimize outcomes for patients pursuing bariatric surgery and to support future grant applications including identifying distal and proximal predictors of cannabis use, as well as, development of technology-based interventions to reduce substance use and problematic eating behaviors to optimize weight loss outcomes.

2021

Arthur Carlin, MD, FACS, FASMBS

Cannabis Use after Bariatric Surgery

To reveal whether patients who undergo bariatric surgery are at increased risk for developing a post-surgical cannabis use disorder and will also shed light on whether cannabis use affects post-surgical weight loss and medical comorbidities. To guide programmatic recommendations and monitoring to help optimize outcomes for patients pursuing bariatric surgery and to support future grant applications including identifying distal and proximal predictors of cannabis use, as well as, development of technology-based interventions to reduce substance use and problematic eating behaviors to optimize weight loss outcomes.

2019

Alfredo D. Guerron, MD

Short-Term Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Systemic Inflammation in Obese Asthma

To not only elucidate the immediate benefits of bariatric surgery in asthma but also achieve important insights that can better aid understanding of the mechanism by which these procedures improve the disease in obese patients.

2019

Kunoor Jain-Spangler, MD

Short-Term Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Systemic Inflammation in Obese Asthma

To not only elucidate the immediate benefits of bariatric surgery in asthma but also achieve important insights that can better aid understanding of the mechanism by which these procedures improve the disease in obese patients.

2017

Jayleen Grams, MD

Skeletal health and bariatric surgery patients

To understand the metabolic and microbiome differences between obese patients with metabolic syndrome and healthy obese patients.

2017

Michel Murr, MD

RYGB Improves Insulin Resistance via Sirt-1 and Gas5

The liver plays a central role in obesity-induced insulin resistance and normalization of blood glucose in the immediate period following RYGB. We sought to understand the genetic pathways which underlie resolution of insulin resistance and blood glucose levels.

2016

Lauren Bradley, PhD

The Investigation of a Remotely-delivered Behavioral Intervention for Postoperative Weight Regain

The objective of the study is to evaluate a newly developed Internet-delivered (via e-learning modules) acceptance-based behavioral intervention (ABTi) for individuals who are experiencing weight regain post-surgery. We are assessing ABTi’s efficacy on stopping and/or reversing weight by comparing it to a wait-list control (WLC) condition. We are also evaluating its effect on targeted weight control behaviors and acceptance-based skills. Finally, we are examining the relationship between weight outcomes and changes in process variables through exploratory analyses.

2016

Alfonso Toquati, MD

The Investigation of a Remotely-delivered Behavioral Intervention for Postoperative Weight Regain

The objective of the study is to evaluate a newly developed Internet-delivered (via e-learning modules) acceptance-based behavioral intervention (ABTi) for individuals who are experiencing weight regain post-surgery. We are assessing ABTi’s efficacy on stopping and/or reversing weight by comparing it to a wait-list control (WLC) condition. We are also evaluating its effect on targeted weight control behaviors and acceptance-based skills. Finally, we are examining the relationship between weight outcomes and changes in process variables through exploratory analyses.

2015

Mohamed Ali

Gut Microbiota and Their Xeno-Metabolites: Associations with MetabolicHealth of Women Undergoing Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass

To understand the metabolic and microbiome differences between obese patients with metabolic syndrome and healthy obese patients.

2014

Sabrena Noria, MD

Determinates of Diabetes Remission after Bariatric Surgery and the Role of Gut Hormones and Aging

To evaluate the importance of the gut hormone response to age-associated diabetes remission following the two most prevalent bariatric surgery procedures performed today, laparoscopic RYGB (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

ASMBS Integrated Health Research Grants

Funded by TREO Foundation

This grant is given to the health care provider who demonstrates excellence in bariatric surgery research, and whose research/presentation has valuable implications for the Integrated Health professional practicing in the field.

Current Grant Recipients

Afton Cobal
Afton Koball, PhD, ABPP Food cravings in the first year after Bariatric Surgery: Sleeve Gastrectomy versus Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Dale Bond

Dale Bond, PhD
Pain in Adversely Related to Weight Loss Maintenance Following Bariatric Surgery

Past Grant Recipients

2018-2019
Graham Thomas, PhD

2017
1st: Molly Orcutt, DO
2nd: William Gourash, PhD

2016
1st: Sarah Sabrudin, MD
2nd: Megan McVay, PhD

2015
1st: Melissa Kalarchian, PhD
2nd: Paul Lorentz, MS, RN, RD, BBA

2014
1st: James Mitchell, MD
2nd: Christopher Daigle, MD

2013
1st: Dale Bond, PhD
2nd: Jonathan Carter, MD

2012
1st: Wendy King, PhD
2nd: Conor Magee, MD

2011
1st: Paul Lorentz, MS, RN, RD
2nd: Nestor de la Cruz-Munoz, MD

ASMBS International Grant Program

Funded by TREO Foundation

The ASMBS has developed this International Grant to encourage, support and acknowledge surgeons from tier two and three countries who have overcome financial hurdles and acknowledges them with a monetary gift and waived registration to the ASMBS Annual Meeting.

Current Grant Recipients

Yuntao Nie, MD

Abstract: Nomogram for predicting anemia 1 year after bariatric surgery in chinese patients with obesity.

Zvi H. Perry, MD PhD

Abstract: Association between bariatric surgery and malignancy: A system review and meta-analysis, trends and conclusions.

Past Grant Recipients

2023
Dr. Nie, MD,
China

Dr. Zvi H. Perry, MD, PhD
Israel

2022-2023
Jerry Dang, MD, PhD
Canada

2019-2020
Catherine Tsai, MD
Taiwan

2018-2019
Mahir M Ozmen, MD
Turkey

2017-2018
Stephen Axer, MD
Sweden

2016-2017
Carlos Zerrweck Lopez
Mexico

2015-2016
Miguel Herrera, MD, PhD
Mexico

2014-2015
Elie Ramly, MD
Lebanon

2013-2014
Marcos A Berry
Chile

Bryan Woodward Community Grants

Funded by TREO Foundation

The Bryan Woodward Community Grant Program was founded to support local initiatives in addressing the obesity epidemic in cities that host a Walk from Obesity. Preference is given to those who participated in the Walk from Obesity. Grants are awarded in amounts of $5,000 or less.

Selected Grant Recipients

Overlake Foundation

BodyWorks is a program for parents and caregivers of young adolescent girls that focuses on helping girls ages nine to thirteen years and their families create healthier lifestyles.

Middle Tennessee State University

This program was designed to educate university students on the importance of combating obesity with walking and strength training, Young people at college age are in one of the biologically best times to instill a rational and positive lifestyle habit.

Past Grant Recipients

Children’s Center for Weight Management, Birmingham, AL.

Christus Schumpert Health System Foundation, Shreveport, LA.

The Faces of Hope – Richmond, VA.

Middle Tennessee State University Foundation, Nashville

Orvis Risner Elementary School, Edmond, OK.

The Overlake Hospital Foundation, Bellevue, WA.

Slidell, LA Memorial Hospital Foundation

YMCA of Greater Des Moines