CCTS Funds Pilot Awards for High Impact Studies, Junior Faculty, and Collaborative Projects

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 16, 2015) -- The University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science has awarded twelve pilot grants to support innovative, collaborative research relevant to the health challenges and disparities faced by the nation and the citizens of Kentucky. Such preliminary and proof-of-concept studies are critical o ??  moving basic laboratory findings into clinical applications. The CCTS pilot program prioritizes development of enabling new technologies, therapeutics, and diagnostics, as well as novel cross-disciplinary collaborative programs that address the health and health care needs of the people of Appalachia.

Pilot investigators benefit from a robust support infrastructure designed to ensure that their study is successful. A multidisciplinary intake meeting with directors of relevant CCTS services (such as regulatory, biomedical informatics, participant recruitment, clinical services, or community engagement) provides as an immediate opportunity to receive expert feedback on protocols and budgets, anticipate challenges, and connect with needed resources.

HIGH IMPACT

Jose Francisco Abisambra, PhD, assistant professor, College of Medicine

Manganese-Enhanced MRI Detection of Neuronal Dysfunction in Pre-Symptomatic Tauopathy

Justin Fraser, MD, assistant professor, College of Medicine.

"Stroke and Traumatic Acute Brain Injury Line Indicator System for Emergent Recognition (STABILISER) Phase I Feasibility Study"

Ellen Hahn, PhD, professor, College of Nursing

Biomarkers of Genotoxicity, Tobacco Smoke, and Radon Exposure

JUNIOR FACULTY

Shanna Babalonis, PhD, assistant professor, College of Medicine

Analgesic Interactions of Cannabinoids and Opioids in Humans

Matthew Bush, MD, assistant professor, College of Medicine

Assessing and Addressing Behavioral Problems in Children with Hearing Loss

Min Chen, PhD, assistant professor College of Medicine

The roles of S100A4/metastasin-1 in non-small cell lung cancer invasion, metastasis and therapeutic resistance

Huaman Moises, MD, assistant professor, College of Medicine

The Association between Latent Tuberculosis Infection and Myocardial Infarction in a High Tuberculosis Burden Setting:  A Pilot Study

Danielle Stevens-Watkins, PhD, assistant professor, College of Education

Pilot Study to Test Feasibility and Efficacy of REMAS-CA (Real Men Are Safe-Culturally Adapted) on Drug Using Criminal Justice Involved African American Men

Christina Studts, PhD, assistant professor, college of public health

Assessing and Addressing Behavioral Problems in Children with Hearing Loss

Chi Wang, PhD, MBA, assistant professor, College of Public Health

Development of a Model-based Bioinformatics Method for Comparing Somatic Mutation Patterns between Groups, with Application to Squamous Cell Lung Cancer Data in Appalachian Kentucky

April Young, MPH, PhD, assistant professor, College of Public Health

Role of Social Media and Mobile apps in Sexual and Drug-related Networks of Men who have Sex with Men

UK-UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA MULTI-CTSA COLLABORATIVE AWARD

Jimmi Hatton Kolpek, PharmD, professor, UK College of Pharmacy

Optimizing drug doses to improve outcomes of critically ill patients

Denise Rhoney, PharmD, professor, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

Optimizing drug doses to improve outcomes of critically ill patients

To learn more about the CCTS Pilot Grant Funding Program, please visit http://ccts.uky.edu/ccts/pilot-grant-funding-opportunities or contact Elodie Elayi, Research Concierge and Pilot Coordinator, at elodie.elayi@uky.edu or 859.323.7939.