Hudson Hoagland Society
The Hudson Hoagland Society (HHS) is the leadership giving group of individuals who support biomedical research at UMass Chan Medical School with cumulative gifts of $1,000 or more to our Annual Research Fund within a fiscal year (July to June).
Philanthropy is as important to medical discovery as are the countless hours researchers spend in their labs. You can play a role in advancing toward a world free of disease.
Join HHS
Hudson Hoagland Society Membership Levels
Founder - $10,000 or more
Partner - $5,000 to $9,999
Patron - $2,500 to $4,999
Benefactor - $1,000 to $2,499
Friend - $500 to $999
HHS was originally founded in 1985 to recognize major annual contributors to the Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research. Named in honor of the Worcester Foundation's co-founder, the Society brings together individuals who share a commitment to advancing biomedical research. Founded in 1985 as an independent research institute by Drs. Hudson Hoagland and Gregory Pincus, the Worcester Foundation merged with the UMass Chan Medical School in 1997. Since the time of the merger with the Worcester Foundation, and in affiliation with the Hudson Hoagland Society, more than $5 million in innovation grants of up to $40,000 have been awarded to nearly 170 researchers at UMass Chan Medical School.
Funds raised through the Hudson Hoagland Society are now used to support the most promising and innovative research at UMass Chan Medical School. These "seed" grants are awarded based on a competitive review process and allow a researcher to pursue new, innovative research for which he or she may not yet have funding.
Hudson Hoagland Society Annual Meeting
2024 Meeting
The 39th annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, and will focus on the microbiome and the gut. The event will be held in person at the Albert Sherman Center on the UMass Chan Medical School campus.
The talk, titled “Navigating the Gut Highway: Insights Into Microbiome-Driven Health and Disease,” will be delivered by Beth A. McCormick, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Microbiology & Physiological Systems, and founding director of the UMass Center for Microbiome Research.
The role of the gut microbiome in health and disease is gaining increasing interest due to its profound impact on digestion, immunity and even mental health. Join us to hear about the intricate world of gut microbes and their implications for overall well-being.
In her talk, Dr. McCormick will explore the following questions:
- What exactly is the gut microbiome, and why is it important for our health?
- Are there any specific foods or dietary supplements that can promote a healthy gut microbiome?
- Can disruptions in the gut microbiome lead to certain diseases or conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease or inflammatory bowel disease?
- How do lifestyle factors such as stress, sleep and physical activity impact the gut microbiome?
- How does the gut microbiome influence our immune system and overall immune health?
- Are there any emerging therapies or interventions targeting the gut microbiome for the treatment of various health conditions?
Beth A. McCormick, PhD
Professor and chair, Department of Microbiology & Physiological Systems
Founding director, UMass Center for Microbiome Research
Dr. McCormick is one of the original pioneers in the field now known as cellular microbiology. She is passionate about studying how the gut works, particularly when it comes to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and bacterial infections in the intestines. Her breakthroughs laid the groundwork for identifying novel ways in which the bacteria in our gut interact with the lining of the intestines. By studying these interactions, she has already begun to find new ways to treat conditions like intestinal inflammatory disorders and is now exploring the implications of these interactions in cancer. Her recent work looks at how the gut bacteria affect certain signaling pathways in the intestines and how this affects our overall health.
About the UMass Center for Microbiome Research
Researchers in the UMass Center for Microbiome Research are working to accelerate the understanding of how the microbes that live in and on us influence our lives, our health and our environment.
For more information, please contact:
2023 Worcester Foundation Grant Recipients
Supported by gifts to the Hudson Hoagland Society
Jennifer Benanti, PhD
Department of Molecular, Cell & Cancer Biology
“Regulation of fungal pathogenesis by calcineurin-mediated cell cycle arrest”
Lisa Ann Cavacini, PhD
Department of Medicine
“Nanobodies to block RhD alloimmunization during pregnancy”
Michael Lee, PhD
Department of Systems Biology
“Novel methods to study cell death plasticity in vivo”
Oliver Rando, MD, PhD
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology
“Parent of origin effects in C. elegans”
Phillip Tai, PhD
The Bassick Family Foundation Award
Horae Gene Therapy Center
“High-intensity and atrial-specific AAV-based gene therapy for treating atrial fibrillation”