Johnson Announces More Than $820,000 to Support Mental Health Research at UT Dallas
DALLAS, TX — Today, Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32) announced that the University of Texas at Dallas will receive $821,998 in federal funding to support research focused on improving how medicine is delivered to treat neurological and mental health disorders. This funding comes from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The project is led by Dr. Zhenpeng Qin and is focused on finding better ways to deliver medicine directly to the brain. One of the biggest challenges in treating brain disorders is something called the blood-brain barrier—a natural shield that blocks most medicines from reaching the brain. Dr. Qin and his team have discovered a special peptide that can carry medicine straight to brain cells, which could lead to more effective treatments for many neurological and mental health conditions.
“This federal investment from the NIH underscores the cutting-edge research at UT Dallas that is making significant scientific breakthroughs,” said Johnson. “Right now, Trump and Republicans are considering significant cuts to the NIH, meaning innovative projects like Dr. Qin’s may not receive funding. In Congress, I will always fight to bring home tax dollars for medical research that cures diseases and saves lives. It is critical that we continue pushing the boundaries of science and medicine as we work together to strengthen our region’s leadership in biomedical research.”
“This exciting NIH award supports UT Dallas’s research to achieve cell-specific targeting in the brain, specifically for neurons,” said Dr. Qin. “The impact of this research has broad and transformative implications in alleviating the burdens of neurological diseases and mental health disorders. We deeply appreciate the NIH’s support to drive innovation, further the biomedical workforce, and fuel economic growth.”
The funding comes through NIH’s Mental Health Research Grants program, which supports projects advancing scientific understanding and treatment of mental health conditions nationwide.
Congresswoman Julie Johnson represents Texas’ 32nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, serving on the Homeland Security Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Administration Committee. Her district includes parts of Collin, Dallas, and Denton Counties.
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