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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Announces Recent CURE Grant Recipients

August 14, 2023

The Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement (CURE) Program funds collaborative biomedical research that aims to improve the health of Pennsylvanians.

The following projects were recently awarded Formula CURE Grants:

Trial of Intervention in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Principal Investigator:

Co-investigators:

  • Hasan Ayaz, PhD, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
  • Karen F. Heffler, MD, Psychiatry, College of Medicine
  • Elisabeth Sheridan, PhD, A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
  • Chloe Silverman, PhD, Politics, College of Arts & Sciences

Examining the Brief Family Intervention for MOUD Adherence Among Women

Principal Investigator:

  • Jessica Chou, PhD, Behavioral Health Counseling, College of Nursing and Health Professions

Co-investigators:

  • David Bennett, PhD, Psychiatry, College of Medicine
  • Joke Bradt, PhD, Creative Arts Therapy, College of Nursing and Health Professions
  • Barbara Schindler, MD, Psychiatry, College of Medicine
  • Sharlene Irving, MBA, Psychiatry, College of Medicine

Neuroimmune Regulation of Nociceptive and Affective Pain After Spinal Cord Injury

Principal Investigator:

Co-investigators:

  • John R. Bethea, PhD, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Wen-Jun Gao, MD, PhD, Neurobiology & Anatomy, College of Medicine

Newborns & Neighbors: Community-Driven Postpartum Peer Support Feasibility Pilot

Principal Investigator:

  • Jessie Kemmick Pintor, PhD, MPH, Health Management and Policy, Dornsife School of Public Health

Co-investigator:

  • Irene Headen, PhD, MS, Community Health and Prevention, Dornsife School of Public Health

Sex Differences in Neuropathic Pain: The Role of Glutamate Transporters

Principal Investigator:

Co-investigator:

Can Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy Predict Weight loss/Maintenance Success

Principal Investigator:

  • Jennifer A Nasser, PhD, RD, Nutrition Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions

Co-investigators:

  • Hasan Ayaz, PhD, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
  • Michael Bruneau, PhD, Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions
  • Meera Harhay, MD, MPH, College of Medicine

Development of a Just-in-Time Intervention to Reduce Ultra-Processed Food Intake

Principal Investigator:

  • Erica M. LaFata, PhD, Well Center, College of Arts & Sciences

Co-investigators:

  • Evan Forman, PhD, Well Center, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Jennifer A Nasser, PhD, RD, Nutrition Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions

Role of Fam99 Members in Hepatocyte Physiology and Liver Cancer Biology

Principal Investigator:

Co-investigators:

  • Michael J. Bouchard, PhD, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, College of Medicine
  • Joris Beld, PhD, Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine

Improving Weight Loss for Comorbid Type 2 Diabetes and Binge Eating

Principal Investigator:

  • Paakhi Srivastava, PhD, Well Center, College of Arts & Sciences

Co-investigators:

  • Adrienne Juarascio, PhD, Well Center, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Deeptha Sukumar, PhD, Nutrition Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions
  • Longjian Lui, PhD, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health
  • Zoe Zhang, PhD, Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences

Integrative Intervention With Creative Arts Therapies and Nutrition- I2CAN

Principal Investigator:

  • Deeptha Sukumar, PhD, Nutrition Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions

Co-investigators:

  • Girija Kaimal, EdD, Creative Arts Therapy, College of Nursing and Health Professions
  • Erica M. LaFata, PhD, Well Center, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Patricia Shewokis, PhD, Nutrition Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions
  • Mark Woodland, MS, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine

Minimizing Transmission of COVID-19 and Airborne Disease in Outpatient Clinics

Principal Investigator:

  • Michael S. Waring, PhD, Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering

Co-investigators:

  • Esther Chernak, MD, MPH, Environmental and Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health
  • Michael A. Kohanski, MD, PhD, Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania
  • L. James Lo, PhD, Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Adams E. Rackes, PhD, Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering

Local Delivery of Folic Acid to Promote Spinal Cord Repair

Principal Investigator:

  • Yinghui Zhong, PhD, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems

Co-investigator: