Chris is a Senior Research Development Manager at the MBHI with over 14 years of experience in grant administration, interdisciplinary collaboration, and proposal development. A 2024 ASGII “Rising Star” Award recipient, he has secured multi-million-dollar funding and is recognized for his leadership, mentorship, and team training.
Have a Brain Health Project in Mind?
Whether you’re looking to explore an idea, discuss possibilities, or get guidance on developing your project, we’re here to help.
Spotlight Funding Opportunity
The Rice & TMC Neuro Collaboration Seed Grant Program invites collaborative, neuroscience-focused pilot proposals advancing brain health across partner institutions (Rice, MD Anderson—Cancer Neuroscience Program, MBHI at UTMB, and UTHealth Houston).
Key Dates:
Proposal deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025
Award period: December 1, 2025 – November 30, 2026
Focus areas include:
- Neuroengineering / neurotechnology for brain health
- Mechanistic studies in cancer–nervous system interactions, neurodegeneration, neurodevelopment, mental health, brain injury/stroke
- Research on complex, socially situated human behavior related to health and disease
Now is the ideal time to identify collaborators and prepare your submission.
Detailed guidelines and submission portal: RFA Details • Upload Your Submission
Program contact: ENRICH@Rice.edu
Past Human Brain Talk
Ara is a Senior Research Development Manager at the MBHI, specializing in grant writing, publications, and program management. With a background in neuroscience, microbiology, and military journalism, he has co-authored numerous scientific papers, secured multi-million-dollar grants, and previously supported infectious disease research at the GNL.
