2011

  • Difficult decisions: An inside look at SFARI's grant-making
    Difficult decisions: An inside look at SFARI's grant-making
    11 April 2011
    Comments ( 2 )
    In November, the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) launched a request for applications, calling for letters of intent from individuals who will conduct bold, imaginative and rigorous research relevant to our mission. Applicants received notice in late February indicating whether they should submit a full application. Here, John Spiro, SFARI’s senior associate director for research, attempts to demystify the grant-making process — and give readers a behind-the-scenes look at how SFARI’s science team makes decisions.
  • A cautionary tale, and a case for evaluating autism genes
    A cautionary tale, and a case for evaluating autism genes
    1 February 2011
    Comments ( 17 )
    A study on a SHANK3 mutation highlights the danger in using research tools to inform decision-making in the doctor’s office. This sort of concern is one of the reasons for SFARI Gene’s new efforts to develop criteria for evaluating the strength of autism gene candidates, and presenting this information to the broader community.