Dr. Stanford and Andrea Peng Establish $2.5 Million Endowment for Junior Investigators to Accelerate Rheumatic Disease Research

ATLANTA, GA. – (March 21, 2025) The Rheumatology Research Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Stanford L. Peng, MD, PhD and Andrea Peng Endowed Investigator Award. This transformative gift will provide support for junior investigators as they conduct innovative research and establish their research independence.

Dr. Peng envisions this endowment as a springboard for the future of rheumatology research. “We hope this investment helps to inspire junior investigators to pursue translational research and seek transformative discoveries that advance our understanding and treatment of the rheumatic diseases,” said Dr. Peng. “Such work will hopefully lead to improved outcomes for patients and significantly reduce the global burden of these diseases.”

“This endowment will importantly provide vital, long-term source of research funding,” said Rachel Myslinski, Executive Director of the Foundation. “The Foundation is excited to use this generous gift to support promising junior investigators at a critical time in their careers.”

Dr. Peng was awarded the American College of Rheumatology/Rheumatology Education Foundation/Arthritis Foundation Investigator Award in 2003