Edwin Aroke, PhD
Funded Projects
Epigenomic and Gene Expression Signatures of Racial Differences in Chronic Low Back Pain
NIH/NIAMS R079178
6/15/2021 - 3/31/2025
The purpose of this study is to compare DNAm patterns in 100 people with cLBP. We will also determine whether differential DNAm correlates with differential gene expression in our study participants.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/oDvPKvPCy02S6wm-DOq9qw/project-details/10427349
Epigenomic Differences in Stress-Related Genes in Transgender Minorities
NIAMS/AR079178
6/15/2021 - 3/31/2025
This project will foster a better understanding of the relative influences chronic stress, psychological, social, and epigenomic factors have on CLBP and will also provide insight into the mechanism that drives pain disparities in gender minorities.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/wQI57I5sgkuOnya4XF6Tww/project-details/10553916
NIH/NIAMS R36AG077084
With her mentor, Dr. Aroke, Pam Jackson will use the one-year, $50,000 R36 grant to look at the epigenetic age acceleration—an analysis of epigenetic changes that may impact an individual’s biological age—and its relationship to racial disparities and chronic low back pain.
Pamela Bowen, PhD
Funded Projects
An Exercise Intervention to Improve Overall Brain Health
MGM McCance Center-UAB Mcknight Foundation
3/31/2023 – 4/3/2025
The purpose of this project is to obtain preliminary data to demonstrate that exercise represents not only a direct impact on brain fitness but also results in a broader effect across other risk factors, thus improving overall brain health. Our primary outcome will be the McCance Brain Care Score (BCS), a composite index of 12 risk factors and behaviors known to affect brain integrity.
Crystal Chapman Lambert, PhD
Funded Projects
Feasibility of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention for Black Women Living with HIV
NIH/ National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health/5K23AT01056
8/15/2019 - 7/31/2023
African American women (AA), living with HIV are at higher risk for experiencing stressful life events which can lead to deleterious health outcomes. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction offers a complementary and integrative approach for reducing stress as a mechanism for improving HIV treatment adherence behaviors, HIV viral load suppression and survival. The objective of this study is to culturally adapt an existing MBSR intervention to meet the needs of AA WLWH and assess the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted intervention among the target population.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/AiPpWPtI-EexrWIuhYpWUw/project-details/10454380
Enhance social support for Black women with HIV Using Technology
Betty Irene Moore Foundation Fellowship
7/1/2023 – 6/30/2026
https://health.ucdavis.edu/nursing/NurseLeaderFellows/2023-fellows.html
Sarah Gallups, PhD
Funded Projects
Exploring Psychological Safety in the Classroom among Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students
UAB Internal Social Science and Justice Research Pilot Grant
6/15/2023 – 6/14/2024
Shena Gazaway, PhD
Funded Projects
An Optimization trial of a stakeholder-enhanced intervention to improve the decisional partnership of Chronic Kidney Disease dyads using the multiphase optimization strategy: Project ImPart.
NIH/NIDDK134756
The pilot will enroll 64 chronic kidney disease patients with stage IV disease and their family caregivers to assess the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of each component of the decision support intervention, including finding ways to optimally support and engage patients in active disease management and future planning.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/KfGaO7G6F0Km0P1TVDN9fQ/project-details/10739401
Rita Jablonski, PhD
Funded Projects
Fewer Drugs & Bugs: Decreasing Antipsychotic Drug Use and Preventable Infections in Nursing Home Residents by Leveraging the Head-to-Toe Infection Prevention Program with Care-Resistant Behavior Dementia Training
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services/C210620054
7/1/2022 - 6/30/2026
The primary objective of the proposed project is to reduce antipsychotic usage for persons with dementia residing in long term care facilities; the secondary objective of the proposed project is to reduce pneumonia, cellulitis, and urinary tract infections.
Coaching Dementia Caregivers to Master Care-Resistant Behavior: CuRB-IT
NIH/NIA/R01AG074255
9/1/2021 - 6/30/2026
This project addresses a critical gap in knowledge by evaluating an evidence-based, tele-coaching intervention, Care-Resistant Behavior Internet Training (CuRB-IT), to enhance coping skills of family caregivers and reduce EAN
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/5l-EmW410Ee-_e1BKfytxw/project-details/10478199
Jeremy Jordan, PhD
Funded Projects
Day-to-Day Pulsatility Index Change in Pediatric Brain Injury: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Dean’s Scholar Award
11/11/2022 - 11/10/2023
The purpose of this study to provide proof-of-concept of a novel biomarker of brain injury using a transcranial doppler ultrasound in children. The results of this study will help clinicians utilize a non-invasive neuromonitor to help in the diagnosis, management, and prognostication in pediatric neurologic injury.
Sigrid Ladores, PhD
Funded Projects
Therapeutics Development Network (TDN) Sexual Health, Reproduction and Gender Research Men's Health Working Sugroup 2022
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation/004106Y122
5/1/2023 - 6/30/2025
The mission of the men’s health subgroup of the TDN SHARING-WG is to improve the lives of men with cystic fibrosis (CF) by developing a body of scientific evidence to understand the unique interplay of men’s health concerns and CF. The subgroup will include individuals interested in advancing the research related to men’s health in CF, specifically fertility, hypogonadism, and men’s sexual and reproductive health care provision in the CF care model.
Patient-centered REproductive telehealth counSeling intERVention development and Evaluation for Men with Cystic Fibrosis (aka PRESERVE - Men with CF)
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation/ LADORE21A0
6/1/2021 - 5/31/2023
While fertility preservation (FP) counseling is part of standard care for oncology patients before initiating treatments that impair or destroy gonadal function, there are no FP clinical guidelines for transplant populations whose reproductive capacity may be affected due to immunosuppressive drugs. To address this pressing problem, the purpose of this study is to develop and test a telehealth FP intervention for men with cystic fibrosis pre-lung transplantation.
Frank Puga, PhD
Funded Projects
The Mental Health Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minorities Living with Cancer and their Intimate partners
UAB Center for Palliative and Support Care (PREP)
3/1/2022 - 2/28/2024
The Cancer Support and Well-Being Study: The purpose of this study is to learn about the experiences of LGBTQ+ cancer survivors and their intimate partners. LGBTQ+ cancer survivors and their partners often experience stress that can impact their mood and well-being. We are interested in learning about these experiences, resources to overcome challenges, and things that improve how one feels over time
https://www.uab.edu/medicine/palliativecare/research/prep-awards
Nuestros dias (Our Days) - The Mental Health Experiences of Hispanic and Latinx ADRD Caregivers.
NIH/NIA/R01AG072569
5/15/2022 - 4/30/2027
The Day-to-Day Experiences of Latino Dementia Caregivers: The purpose of this study is to learn about the daily experiences of Hispanic and Latino dementia caregivers. We are specifically interested in examining contextual, individual-level, and cultural factors that promote resilience and mitigate the adverse effects of caregiving-related stress on one's mental health.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/u-esLBNK2EGCyOwnkf96Dg/project-details/10447873
Ellen Smith, PhD
Funded Projects
Duloxetine to Prevent Oxaliplatin-Induced Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase II to Phase III Study
NIH/NCI/R01CA235726
1/10/2019 - 12/31/2024
This randomized controlled trial will test a well- tolerated, widely available, non-opioid, preventive treatment for a debilitating chemotherapy side effect (OIPN) experienced by millions of cancer survivors, for which there is no good treatment.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/cwrPTe5WtkuM5979AQch3w/project-details/10322762
David Vance, PhD
Funded Projects
Executive Function Training to Reduce Cognitive Intra-Individual Variability in Adults with HIV
NIH/NIA/R21AG077957
3/2/23 - 2/28/24
Compare adults who receive Executive Functioning Training to those who do not to determine whether they improve in global cognitive ability (i.e., clinical ratings & HAND diagnoses) and overall cognitive IIV
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/nAsw8iaV1kGJE6KeItFe4A/project-details/10476003
Hsiao-Lan Wang, PhD
Funded Projects
A Motion Exergaming Approach to Promote Self-Managing Fatigue and Pain after Head and Neck Cancer Treatment
NIH/NCIR01CA244947
12/13/2019 – 5/31/2025
Fatigue and pain are two high incident symptoms threatening survivals among head and neck cancer patients after their treatment. For 6 weeks, the intervention group will receive a home-based Physical Activity intervention with fitness graded Motion Exergames (PAfitME), and the attention control group will receive NCI- based survivorship education and exergame equipment. We will test whether or not PAfitME is effective to improve fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, functional status, and QOL during the critical transition period from the treatment endpoint to self-management at home.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/wtDaDSJRSkC-3FNH-U1ubw/project-details/10311089
Reducing Health Disparity of Physical Functioning Among Young Adult Cancer Patients of Color
Oncology Nursing Foundation
12/15/2021 – 12/31/2023
There is a lack of knowledge addressing health disparity in cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength among young adult (YA, 20-39y/o) cancer patients of color (POC). PAfitME, a Physical Activity intervention with fitness graded Motion Exergames, is a personalized, low-cost, telehealth, home-based program. Exergame Grading Scheme (EGS) is an instrument that PAfitME uses to measure training intensity. This training intensity will be matched to each individual’s fitness capacity, so a personalized exergame prescription can be developed in the individual training plan. The study aims to pilot test of PAfitME effectiveness among YA cancer POC on cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength.
The Role of Vision Function Over the Course of Head and Neck Cancer Treatment
UAB Vision Science Research Center
9/1/2023-8/30/2024
Vision toxicity from radiation has been addressed in the HNC Survivorship Care Guidelines by the American Cancer Society and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. We propose a longitudinal study to preliminarily examine vision function in HNC patients (N=50) before, during, and a month after cancer treatment (radiation or chemoradiation) completion.
Rachel Wells, PhD
Funded Projects
Optimizing an Early Palliative Care Intervention for Advanced HF Patients
NIH/R00NR01984
4/7/2021- 3/31/2026
The overall R00 goals are to gain advanced research training in developing behavioral interventions, conducting randomized controlled trials using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST), and advanced research ethics to refine and pilot test components of a lay navigator-led early palliative care intervention for underserved persons with advanced HF in the Southern U.S. The goal of the UPHOLDS intervention (Utilizing Palliative Care for Heart Failure Optimized using Lay Navigators to Decrease Suffering), will be to improve quality of life (QOL) by activating advanced HF patients through trained lay navigators coaching.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/LjZMM5t5i0eKlddp96Rd_A/project-details/10386866
Pariya Wheeler, PhD
Funded Projects
Testing the Efficacy and Mechanisms of an Adapted Resilience Building Intervention in People Aging with HIV
NIH/NIA/R21AG076377
8/15/2022 - 5/31/2023
The proposed study will use an ecologically-valid approach to examine the efficacy and mechanisms of an optimized resilience intervention among older people living with HIV, which will ultimately provide implications for development of potent and scalable interventions for building resilience in people aging with HIV.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/2Ny9GI6_UECNb2NkYhcKMA/project-details/10478381
Evaluation of Neurobiological Mechanisms Mediating the Effect of Immune Activation on Neurocognitive Impairment and the Role of Psychosocial Factors Among Women Living with HIV
NIH/ NIMH/R01MH131177
9/13/2022 - 6/30/2027
Using existing data and bio specimen from the MACS WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) this study will examine putative biological pathways involving immune activation and neurobiological pathways (i.e., depletion of neurotransmitters, increased neurotoxic metabolites, and neuronal damage) to identify the markers that can be tightly linked to the clinical course of cognitive impairment phenotypes in women living with HIV (WLWH). This project examines also the role of psychosocial factors in impairing cognitive functions by exacerbating immune activation and neurobiological pathways directly and indirectly through ART levels adherence among WLWH.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/cCvv4T0GSka6jJa-d0xjGg/project-details/10534423
Neurocognitive Trajectories in Older Adults with COVID-19 in the Deep South
Alzheimer’s Association
6/1/2022 - 4/30/2023
This study will examine whether cognitive and functional trajectories differ by COVID-19 diagnosis (vs. controls) and acute COVID-19 severity, and also examine sociodemographic and clinical risk factors, and biological mechanisms among a diverse sample of older adults.
Examining the Effect of High-Intensity Exercise to Attenuate Cognitive Function Limitations and Train Exercise Habits in Older People Living with HIV (HEALTH-Cog)
NIH/NIA/R01AG077987
5/15/2023 – 4/30/2028
People aging with HIV are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and although physical activity is a promising target to mitigate such risk, this population engages in low levels of physical activity. Few studies have tested cognitive effects of exercise interventions or examined mechanisms of adherence to long-term exercise among diverse samples of midlife and older people with HIV. The current study will leverage an existing R01 to address these gaps and provide implications for development of personalized approaches for the treatment and prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia in older people with HIV.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/hDvg_Qdm00-STVmPH3xMlQ/project-details/10695384
Christina Wilson, PhD
Funded Projects
Identification of Knowledge & Needs to Reduce Anxiety and Pain and Improve Dilator Usage
Dean’s Scholar Award
11/11/2022 - 11/10/2023
The purpose of this study is to identify the content to include in an educational video as part of a multi-component educational intervention to improve dilator usage in patients with cervical cancer. A content analysis of the semi-structured interview transcripts will be conducted using a deductive analytic approach to identify the most common topics to address within the video.
Assessment and Revision Of Usual measure for SExual Dysfunction (AROUSED) Study
Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation
The purpose of this study is to identify a superior sexual function outcome measure that will aid in the future discovery of effective sexual health treatments. In phase 1, we will use cognitive interviewing methodology (n = 25) to assess the content validity of the developed sexual health questions. In phase 2, 230 patients will be recruited (200 treated for gynecologic cancer [60 of these will have completed radiation for the first time] and 30 healthy controls) to further evaluate the refined sexual function measure emerging from phase 1 testing.