Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy

Enhancing nanoparticle-mediated immunotherapy for spinal cord trauma

Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine

Regeneration of elastic fibers in chronic aortic dissection

Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, College of Medicine

Cardiac Amyloidosis Research Program

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine

Enhancing breastmilk quantity and quality by Moringa oleifera leaf supplementation to lactating mothers for improved infant health: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Robert Helsley, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine

CPT1a: A Novel Regulator of Cholesterol-Driven Liver Injury

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences

The Chronic Sequelae of Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Biopsychosocial Approach

Assistant Professor, College of Social Work

Kentucky Nursing Qualitative Study: Follow-up Conversations with Survey Participants Regarding Employment During COVID-19, Intimate Partner Violence, and Workplace Support

Assistant Professor, College of Nursing

Evaluating Radon and Tobacco Smoke Co-exposure Risk Messaging with Patients at High-Risk for Lung Cancer during the Primary Care Visit

Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine

Role of TRPA1 Channels in the Medial Olivocochlear Reflex

Assistant Professor, Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep, College of Medicine

Opioid Immodulation in Translational Sepsis Models

Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine

The INSPIRE study: AssessINg The Role of Obstructive Sleep APnea In CRitical IllnEss Recovery. A Pilot Study

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences

Synergistic Effects of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation and Behavior Therapy on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Symptomatology and Associated Brain Connectivity: A Pilot Study

Assistant Professor, College of Nursing

GAMification to Encourage End-Of-Life Discussions between Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Recipients and Family Members (GAME-EOL)

Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, College of Education

Associations of Hip Joint Stresses with Bone and Cartilage Health in Patients with Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome

Assistant Professor, Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health

Leveraging Claims Data to Identify Linkages between Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and Long- Term Patterns of Care and Health Outcomes

Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health Sciences

Improving Functional and Self-Reported Outcomes in Females with History of Musculoskeletal Knee Injury

This project will examine the effectiveness of an 8-week home based rehabilitation program on strength, balance, function and self-reported outcomes in individuals with a history of ACL reconstruction. Participants randomized in to the intervention group will receive an 8-week guided exercise program, all equipment necessary to complete the exercises, and will be sent on-line videos when it is time to progress exercises. All participants will have weekly check-ins with an investigator. Additional information will be collected regarding physical activity and dietary intake to support future investigations that will include educational modules related to these topics. We hypothesize an 8-week intervention focused on strength and balance will improve outcomes in this population, and support the need for continued rehabilitation and education after formal rehabilitation has ceased and the patient is no longer under direct supervision by a medical provider.

Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine

Klotho: A novel biomarker of acute kidney injury recovery

Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine

The ASTERS Study: Assessing the Role of Sphingolipids in AcuTE Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Acute lung injury (ALI) and the more severe manifestation, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) describe syndromes of acute onset, bilateral, inflammatory pulmonary infiltrates and impaired oxygenation. ARDS/ALI are a continuum of disease which results in a life threatening, rapidly progressive illness and occurs in critically ill patients. Recent reports in JAMA highlight the significant public health impact ARDS/ALI has on the critically ill population in that despite robust research efforts, these illnesses continue to be underdiagnosed, undertreated, and continue to have a high mortality rate (≥ 40% of all confirmed diagnoses). The estimates for ARDS/ALI incidence vary due to inconsistencies with proper diagnosis and lack of valid biomarkers of disease; however, it is expected that anywhere from 20-50% of patients on mechanical ventilation will develop this disease. Previous work by our group has shown that sphingolipids play a multifaceted role in lung inflammation. Sphingolipid are a class of bioactive lipids that play a role in cellular processes such as apoptosis, cell migration, and adhesion. Ceramide is one species of sphingolipid we have investigated in both man and mouse. Our laboratory has shown that ceramide is upregulated in pulmonary inflammation in mouse models of pneumonitis and is elevated in the exhaled breath condensate of mechanically ventilated patients at risk for ARDS/ALI. Our work coupled with the work of others highlighting a role for ceramide in COPD, surfactant dysfunction, and infectious disease make ceramide a logical candidate biomarker that warrants further investigation. To our knowledge, there are no studies examining the role of ceramide as a biomarker in ARDS/ALI. Thus, our overarching hypothesis is that ceramide is elevated in the lungs of patients who develop ARDS/ALI. This lipid dysregulation accounts for the pathophysiology seen in this disease and may be a potential pharmacologic target for clinical treatment. Thus the purpose of this exploratory research is to maximize existing specimens to further evaluate ceramide as a biomarker for acute lung injury.

Associate Professor, College of Nursing

Early Childhood Obesity Risk-Reduction Program in Hispanics (ECOR-H)

Regular Faculty, Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine

A laboratory study of brain stimulation as a treatment for cannabis use disorder in young adults

Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health

Sexual and Drug Co-usage Partnerships among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM): A Pilot Study on the Influence of Mobile Apps and on the Spatial Distribution of Partner-seeking MSM

This pilot project examines drug co-usage in the sexual relationships of men who have sex with men (MSM) and explores the role of social networking applications, or “apps”, in facilitating relationships that involve HIV risk behavior (e.g., unprotected sex, injection drug use, sharing of injection equipment). The project also uses spatial data collection to map the distribution of partner-seeking MSM, which will assist in better targeting future outreach efforts. Previous studies have suggested an association between the use of partner-seeking apps and sexual risk behavior, but few have explored the relationship with drug use. Moreover, almost all studies to date have been conducted in large urban settings and have involved men recruited from online venues. This pilot study will be the first to our knowledge to explore the sexual and drug co-usage partnerships and the influence of mobile apps therein among a community-based sample of MSM from a mid-sized city in a predominantly rural state. The latter is significant as studies indicate that rural MSM often migrate to nearby urban centers to meet partners due to stigma and social isolation that they experience in their hometowns. The data generated from this pilot project will be critical to informing the development of better HIV risk-reduction strategies related to sexual behavior and substance use among MSM.

Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine

Analgesic Interactions of Cannabinoids and Opioids in Humans

Opioid analgesic medications are prescribed at high rates for multiple pain conditions due to their analgesic efficacy; however, opioids are also readily abused and can produce dangerous side effects (e.g., respiratory depression).  Opioid adjuvants are medications that are administered along with opioids that could 1) enhance the analgesic efficacy of opioids, 2) allow for reduced opioid doses while maintaining effective pain relief and 3) produce minimal side effects or toxicity.  The present study is designed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of a candidate opioid adjuvant medication, an FDA-approved Schedule III cannabinoid, dronabinol, that is prescribed off-label for pain. The primary objectives of this study are to 1) determine the analgesic effects of a dose range of dronabinol, a CB1 agonist, alone and in combination with oxycodone, a prototypical µ-opioid agonist, using laboratory models of pain that are predictive of the clinical pain response, and 2) to create a sensitive battery of in vivoexperimental pain assays useful for assessing multiple pain modalities simultaneously, and explore differential sensitivity to opioids or cannabinoids amongst the models.  Secondary aims include examining the safety of these drug combinations by collecting an array of physiological, subjective, cognitive and psychomotor performance effects. Overall, this project will provide data that can help determine whether cannabinoids may represent a safe and effective adjunct for opioid analgesics.

Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine

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

We hypothesize that chronic inflammation related to latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) contributes to the pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We will 1) compare the rates of LTBI in persons with and without AMI using an interferon-gamma release assay, and 2) compare the levels of key inflammatory cytokines and explore the immunophenotypes of peripheral lymphocytes and monocytes in persons with and without LTBI in the AMI and no-AMI groups. This pilot study will be conducted in Peru where tuberculosis is endemic. Our results will support additional translational immunologic studies focused on the interplay between tuberculosis, chronic immune activation and cardiovascular disease. Our research may have implications in the management of LTBI, particularly in high risk populations with traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Assistant Professor, Department of Toxicology, College of Medicine

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

The metastatic nature of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with therapeutic resistance, quick time to progression, and the worst prognosis. The major challenge for treating patients is that advanced lung cancers often develop primary or secondary therapeutic-resistance. This challenge will remain until the full spectrum of mechanisms underlying this resistance is better understood and a more efficient and feasible strategy is developed. Our long-term goal is to understand the critical pathways that drive lung cancer invasion, metastasis and therapeutic resistance, and to develop novel strategies to improve patient outcome and prevent patient death. Based on our preliminary data on the pro-metastatic molecule S100A4, also known as metastasin-1, in NSCLC and the established importance of S100A4 to many of the hallmarks of cancer, the objective of the pilot proposal is to unravel the contribution of S100A4 to the invasive potential of NSCLC cells and to target S100A4 to mitigate tumor invasion, metastasis and therapeutic resistance.

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, 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

The primary goal of this funded Center for Clinical and Translational Science Pilot Feasibility Study is to examine the feasibility of the Culturally Adapted - Real Men Are Safe (CA-REMAS) intervention to be implemented in a prison setting for African American men at community re- entry. Study findings could point to implications for prison re-entry programming to include a culturally adapted HIV prevention program to reduce the risk, promote HIV testing, and reduce the spread of HIV infection within the African American community. The specific aims are (1) to determine the feasibility of implementing a group HIV prevention intervention with incarcerated African American men nearing community re-entry and (2) to pilot the CA-REMAS intervention on drug use and examine HIV risk behavior outcomes on African American men. The intervention and control groups will receive a 3-month follow-up interview after community release. Baseline data will be collected during the parent study (K08-DA-032296-PI; Stevens-Watkins) in prison and data using the KOMS (Kentucky Offender Management System) will be used for follow-up data after participants are released from prison. Data collection will occur at baseline and 3-months after release to the community. Participant interview responses, drug screening results, and HIV results are confidential and the PI has obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality. This will be the first time the CDC approved evidenced-based intervention will be tested in a prison setting and if it is feasible and demonstrates effectiveness it could potentially be extremely beneficial to department of corrections nationally. The proposed research plan will offer HIV testing and counseling to an at-risk population that has historically been difficult to engage in research and HIV testing, subsequently significantly impacting public health by possibly preventing the spread of HIV.

Assistant Professor, Department of Health Behavior, College of Public Health

Assessing and Addressing Behavioral Problems in Children with Hearing Loss

Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, College of Education

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

This project (co-PIs: Drs. Heidi Weiss, Jinze Liu, Susanne Arnold, and Chunming Liu) develops novel bioinformatics methods for comparing somatic mutations between patients with varying characteristics based on whole-exome sequencing data. By applying the methods to compare mutations between Appalachian and non-Appalachian patients with squamous cell lung cancer, we aims to identify unique somatic mutation patterns that may contribute to the high incidence rate of lung cancer in Appalachian Kentucky.

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, College of Medicine

Aortic Wall Distensibility in the Growth and Rupture of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms 

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy

Transforming the culture of medical error disclosure in Kentucky through interprofessional education

The National Quality Forum, The Joint Commission, and the Institute of Medicine expect the reporting and disclosing of medical errors to provide information that can lead to improved healthcare quality and safety, however little guidance is provided by these agencies in terms of how to effectively disclose an error or which model of disclosure is best. Relational outcomes of disclosure research demonstrate that while clinicians desire transparency and full disclosure, these attitudes are often not translated into practice; when disclosures do occur, they typically fall short of patient or family expectations. Research indicates that ineffective communication between providers and patients is the single most significant factor in explaining why patients litigate. Research also indicates that there are numerous barriers providers face that prevent error disclosure and their willingness to disclose. Given that team-based healthcare delivery improves patient outcomes and is an expectation in current healthcare delivery models, our study will determine if team-based disclosure results in more complete disclosures and more effectively enables clinicians to overcome barriers affecting willingness to disclose versus individual-provided disclosure.

Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine

Force requirements for instillation of common topical glaucoma medications and correlation to hand grip strength in a representative glaucoma patient population

Glaucoma, the second leading cause of global blindness, is a multifactorial disease that currently has only one therapeutic target - lowering of intra ocular pressure.  Multiple well designed studies have demonstrated that decreasing intra ocular pressure through topical eye drop therapy slows disease progression, and that patients participating in long-term therapy experience better outcomes.  However, numerous reports suggest patients comply with only 70% or less of prescribed topical treatments with several described risk factors.  Two facets of glaucoma therapeutics that have not bee previously investigated include the amount and variability of force required to deliver a single drop from a glaucoma eye drop bottles and the grip and pinch strength of glaucoma patients.  It is my hypothesis that the multitude of unregulated brand and generic topical medication bottles require a high variability of force to deliver a single drop and representative glaucoma patients have difficulty with the grip and pinch strength requirements to successfully instill their medications.

Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering

Development of a Brain-Machine Interface to Facilitate Motor Recovery from Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Sridhar Sunderam directs the Neural Systems Laboratory, which is focused on the diagnosis and tracking of brain state using physiological measurements for applications in epilepsy therapy. A more recent endeavor is directed toward the development of brain-machine interfaces to assist in the rehabilitation of individuals with severe motor impairment following spinal cord injury or stroke.

Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health

Improving Statistical Inference and Power for the Analysis of Very Small Samples of Repeated Measurements Data

Dr. Westgate’s research for the CCTS pilot involves novel statistical methodologies to improve statistical inference in clinical and translational science studies that involve the analysis of repeated measures experiments based on a very small number of subjects.  Specifically, his research is expected to identify statistical methods that lead to valid statistical inference and improved statistical power.  This research is very important with respect to maintaining the desired probability of a Type I error, while increasing the probability of finding statistically significant treatment effects when these effects do indeed exist.

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional sciences, College of Medicine

PRR as a new biomarker of obesity

The epidemic of obesity has contributed to an increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the US population. Therefore, the identification of novel biomarker involved in obesity-associated inflammation and insulin resistance will allow us to better understand the link between obesity and type 2 diabetes and find novel therapeutic treatments for these highly prevalent diseases. Studies on the pilot research grant focus on elucidating the role of adipose prorenin/renin receptor (PRR) during the development of obesity-associated inflammation, fibrosis and insulin resistance. Based on our preliminary data demonstrating an increase of adipose PRR and soluble PRR (sPRR)  during the development of obesity in rodents models, the pilot research aim to determine whether adipose PRR activates an intracellular signaling pathway and initiates processes of inflammation, fibrosis and insulin resistance and whether plasma sPRR is a biomarker of inflamed adipose tissue in humans.