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 
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: