The Partnership for Clean Competition, a research collaborative of which the NFL is a founding member, announced Wednesday that it has awarded a $500,000 anti-doping research grant to J. Thomas Brenna, Ph.D., of Cornell University.
Brenna's research aims to define the entire steroid profile in urine, which likely would allow the detection of synthetic anabolic steroids, including designer steroids.
"In selecting Dr. Brenna as our first grant recipient, the PCC and this country's major sports organizations have collectively taken a major step forward in supporting high-level anti-doping research," Stephanie Streeter, United States Olympic Committee Acting Chief Executive Officer and PCC Board of Governors Chairperson, said in a statement. "Brenna's research project has the potential for increasing the sample throughput and detection limits, which would benefit all sports entities and improve upon existing testing techniques. We are impressed by Brenna's research and look forward to his findings and recommendations over the next several years."
Said Brenna in the statement: "We are honored the PCC has selected our laboratory as its first grant recipient. Our research group looks forward to the opportunity to contribute to the important efforts of the PCC to maintain the integrity of sports."
The PCC was formed last year by the NFL, USOC, United States Anti-Doping Agency and Major League Baseball. The National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and PGA Tour also support the PCC.
The PCC supports research that has a high likelihood of resulting in methods or products that will advance the anti-doping field and ensure integrity in sport. To apply for PCC funding, please visit the organization's Web site at www.cleancompetition.org.
