Research at National Jewish Health

Every discovery brings us closer to a future where lung diseases can be detected earlier, treated more effectively, and perhaps one day prevented altogether.

National Mah Jongg Foundation

Thanks to the generosity of the National Mah Jongg Foundation, four innovative research teams at National Jewish Health have made meaningful strides toward understanding — and ultimately preventing — the devastating effects of COPD. This support has fueled discoveries that are reshaping how scientists think about lung disease, immunity, and long‑term damage from smoking and vaping. Most importantly, we are moving closer to new treatments that could change lives.

The impact of the National Mah Jongg Foundation’s support has allowed:

Scientists to uncover new biological pathways that may lead to future COPD treatments.
Researchers to build cutting‑edge experimental platforms that will serve the scientific community for years to come.
Teams to generate the preliminary data needed to submit multiple NIH grant applications, multiplying the value of this investment.
National Jewish Health to advance its leadership in COPD research, from molecular biology to space‑based science.

Theodore and Maxine Murnick Family

Together with the Murnick Family, we are building a future where Asthma is better understood, better treated, and ultimately prevented. Their generosity has not only advanced science—it has strengthened hope for millions living with chronic lung disease.

The Murnick Family's investment has:

Enabled high‑risk, high‑reward research
Launched new technologies and experimental models
Generated nationally recognized scientific findings
Seeded multiple competitive NIH grant applications
Accelerated progress toward new treatments for Asthma

These projects are pushing the boundaries of asthma research—revealing new insights into why asthma develops, why symptoms can become severe, and how future treatments might better protect patients across their lifespan.

Medical Science Concepts Incubator Fund Award

Breakthrough discoveries often begin with a bold idea, but the earliest stages of innovation are frequently the most difficult to fund. The Medical Science Concepts Incubator Fund Award at National Jewish Health provides critical seed support for promising research concepts that have the potential to transform patient care and advance medical science.

This award empowers investigators to explore novel hypotheses, generate preliminary data, and test innovative approaches that may not yet qualify for traditional funding sources. By investing in early-stage scientific exploration, donors help accelerate the development of groundbreaking discoveries in respiratory, immune, heart, and related diseases while fostering a culture of innovation across our research community.

Philanthropic support for the Medical Science Concepts Incubator Fund Award serves as a catalyst for future breakthroughs, enabling researchers to pursue transformative ideas that can lead to larger external grants, new therapies, and improved health outcomes for patients worldwide. Through this investment, donors play a vital role in advancing the next generation of medical discoveries and bringing hope to those affected by complex and chronic diseases.