2009 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
Eleven projects were awarded in 2009.
PI: Lisa Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN, Professor
TITLE: Gene-Nutrient Interactions in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
PI: Jonathan Garlick, DDS, PhD, Professor and Director of Cancer Biology and Tissue Engineering
TITLE: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Treat Skin Disease
PI: Iris Zamir Jaffe, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor
TITLE: Mechanisms of Cardiac Fibrosis in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
PI: Miaofen G. Hu, MD, PhD, Instructor of Medicine
TITLE: Role of CDK6 in T Cell Development and Cancer
PI: Brigitte T. Huber, PhD, Professor
TITLE: The Role of DPP2 in Controlling the Insulin Metabolism
PI: Eric Miller, PhD, Professor
TITLE: Image Processing Tool for Quantification of Knee Cartilage in MR1 Data Stacks
PI: Gordon Huggins, MD, Assistant Professor
TITLE: Genetic Modifiers of Hypertropic Cardiomyopathy
PI: Rocco Ricciardi, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor
TITLE: Transmission and Clustering of C.difficile colitis in U.S. Acute Care Hospitals
PI: Jayanthi Mistry, PhD, Associate Professor
TITLE: CBPR Approach in Assessing Programs for Youth From Immigrant Families
PI: Katherine L. Tucker, PhD, Senior Scientist
TITLE: Formative Research for the Design of a Multi-Level Cadiovascular Disease Prevention Intervention in Puerto Rican Adults
PI: Carol A. Kumamoto, PhD, Professor
TITLE: Effect of Diet on Intestinal Colonization by Candida Albicans
2010 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
Twelve projects were awarded in 2010.
PI: Daniel Jay, PhD, Professor of Physiology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PI: Julian Wu, MD, Professor of Neurosurgery, Tufts University School of Medicine
TITLE: Inhibiting Semaphorin 3A-Neuropilin-1-mediated GBM Dispersal
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Charlotte Kuperwasser, PhD Associate Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PI: Grace Gill, PhD, Associate Professor, Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
TITLE: Regulation of Breast Progenitor and Tumor Cell Phenotype by a BRCA1-Slug-LSD1 Pathway
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: David Thorley-Lawson, PhD, Professor of Pathology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PI: Andreas Klein, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine; IRB Chair, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Whole Genome Sequencing of the Epstein-Barr Virus and Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease Tissue
GRANT TYPE: Planning
PI: Janet E. Forrester, PhD, Associate Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PI: Hoon Ji, MD, PhD Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
TITLE: The Effect of Genetic Variants on the Relation Between Fatty Liver and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in HIV Infection
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Brent Cochran, PhD, Professor of Physiology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PI: Doug Jefferson, PhD Associate Professor, Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
TITLE: Identification of Novel Biomarkers of Glioblastoma Stem Cells
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Li Zeng, PhD, Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PI: Elizabeth Matzkin, MD, Department of Orthopedics, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Novel Strategies to Enhance Host-integration in Cartilage Repair
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Elizabeth Tanefis, BA, Program Associate, Environmental Health Department, Health Resources in Action (HRIA)
Co-PI: Doug Brugge, PhD, MS, Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
TITLE: An Investigation of Multiple In-Home Health Hazards in Boston-based Family Childcare Providers Facilities
GRANT TYPE: Planning
PI: Lewis M. Cohen, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine; Department of Psychiatry, Baystate Health
Co-PI: John Griffith, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
TITLE: Renal Supportive Care
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Scott Preston, PhD, Director of Program Improvement, Compliance, and Technology, The Walker School and Home
Co-PI: Dominic Hodgkin, PhD, Associate Professor, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University
TITLE: Examining Pediatric Psychotropic Medication Use in Residential and Day Treatment Facilities
GRANT TYPE: Planning
PI: John Leung, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PI: Peter Bonis, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Exhaled Nitric Oxide as a Non-invasive Surrogate for Eosinophilic Esophagitis
GRANT TYPE: Planning
PI: Chenchen Wang, MD, MSc, Division of Rheumatology, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PI: John Wong, MD, Chief, Division of Clinical Decision Making, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Cost-effectiveness of Tai Chi Mind-body Exercise for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Roula Choueiri, MD, Center for Children with Special Needs, Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center
Co-PI: Sheldon Wagner, PhD, Community-based Child Developmental Psychologist
TITLE: Validation and Reliability of Play-based Tests in the Clinical Evaluation of Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
GRANT TYPE: Planning
2011 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
Thirteen projects were awarded in 2011.
Co-PIs: Guo-Fu Hu, PhD, Associate Professor, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center
Pamela C. Yelick, PhD, Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
TITLE: Zebrafish as a Model for Elucidation of Roles of Angiogenin in ALS
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
Co-PIs: Linden T. Hu, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center
Sam R. Telford, ScD, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
TITLE: Development of a Reservoir Targeted Vaccine for Lyme Disease
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
Co-PIs: Dakshina M. Jandhyala, PhD, Research Associate, Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center
Robert M. Blanton, MD, MA, Assistant Professor, Division of Cardiology, Tufts Medical Center
Cheleste M. Thorpe, Associate Professor, Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Heart Failure and the Role of Intestinal Dysfunction
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
Co-PIs: John M. Kyriakis, PhD, Professor, Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center
Andrew S. Greenberg, MD, Senior Scientist and Director, Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
TITLE: Novel MAPK Pathways in Obesity-Induced Insulin Resistance
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
Co-PIs: Laurel K. Leslie, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Institute for Clinical Research & Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center
Susan K. Parsons, MD, MRP, Professor, Institute for Clinical Research & Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center
Christopher Bellonci, MD, Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, Tufts Medical Center
Joshua T. Cohen, MA, PhD, Research Associate Professor, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center
John B. Wong, MD, Professor, Clinical Decision Making, Informatics and Telemedicine, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Preferences and Practices in Prescribing Antipsychotics for Pediatric ADHD
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
Co-PIs: Robert E. Martell, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Tufts Medical Center
Philip N. Tsichlis, MD, Professor, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Effects of Prospective Metformin Administration on Colon Cancer Stem Cells in Patient Tumors
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
Co-PIs: David E. Thaler, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Tufts Medical Center
Edward Feldmann, MD, Professor, Department of Neurology, Tufts Medical Center
Leonard D’Avolio, PhD, Associate Center Director, Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System
Louis Fiore, MD, MPH, Chief, General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, VA Boston Healthcare System
TITLE: Dissection in the Veterans Administration
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
Co-PIs: Edouard G. Vannier, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center
Peter J. Krause, MD. Senior Research Scientist and Lecturer, Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University School of Public Health
Peter J. Castaldi, MD, Assistant Professor, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Determinants of Susceptibility to Human Babesiosis, an Emerging Infectious Disease
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
Co-PIs: Irene Georgakoudi, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering
Charlotte Kuperwasser, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Rachel J. Buchsbaum, MD, Assistant Professor, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Development of a Minimally Invasive Biomarker for Breast Cancer Development and Metastasis
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development
Co-PIs: Kari E. Roberts, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Tufts Medical Center
Joel A. Wirth, MD, Director, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Maine Medical Center
Anne Breggia, PhD, Laboratory Manager, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Maine Medical Center Research Institute
TITLE: Development of a Diagnostic Test for Advanced Glycation End-products in Pulmonary Hypertension
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development
Co-PIs: R. Christopher Sheldrick, PhD, Assistant Professor, Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Tufts Medical Center
Ellen C. Perrin, MD, Professor, Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Tufts Medical Center
Steven A. Cohen, DrPH, , Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
TITLE: Latent Class Analysis for Two-Stage Comparative Effectiveness Studies of Screening Instruments
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development
Co-PIs: Fang Fang Zhang, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition Science, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Michael J. Kelly, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Methods Development for Measuring Energy Intake and Dietary Patterns in Pediatric ALL Survivors
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development
Co-PIs: Kari E. Roberts, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Tufts Medical Center
Jessica K. Paulus, ScD, Assistant Professor, Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute
TITLE: Reproductive Risk Factors in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Unraveling Gender Disparities
GRANT TYPE: Planning
2012 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
Twelve projects were awarded in 2012.
PI: Miaofen G. Hu, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Medicine, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PI: Richard A. Van Etten, MD, PhD, Professor, Medicine, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: The Role Of CDK6 In Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Gordon S. Huggins, MD, Associate Professor, Medicine, Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PIs: Lauren D. Black III, PhD, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering
Philip W. Hinds, PhD, Professor, Radiation Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Basic Mechanisms of Human Calcific Aortic Valve Disease
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Andreas K. Klein, MD, Assistant Professor, Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PI: Raymond L. Comenzo, MD, Lecturer, Pathology, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Characterization of A Naïve T-Cell (CD45RA)-Depleted Stem Cell Graft For Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant With Reduced Risk For Graft-Versus-Host Disease
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Jamie L Maguire, PhD, Assistant Professor, Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PIs: Julian K. Wu, MD, FACS, Professor, Neurosurgery, Division of Neuro-oncology, Tufts Medical Center
Alain Charest, PhD, MSc, Research Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Investigating KCC2 As A Novel Target For The Treatment Of Tumor-Associated Epilepsy
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Benjamin C. Nephew, PhD, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Reproductive Biology, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University
Co-PI: Christopher Murgatroyd, PhD, Lecturer, Division of Health Science, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University
TITLE: Oxytocin, Postpartum Depression and Anxiety, and Autism
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Ksenia N. Tonyushkina, MD, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Baystate Medical Center
Co-PI: Rolf O. Karlstrom, PhD, Professor, Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
TITLE: Early Life Programming of Thyroid Axis Regulation
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Daniel E. Weiner, MD, MS, Assistant Professor, Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PIs: Sergio Fantini, PhD, Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering
Tammy M. Scott, PhD, Scientist II, Nutrition and Neurocognition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Mark J. Sarnak, MD, MS, Professor, Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Tufts Medical Center
Aron Troen, DPhil, Visiting Scientist II, Neuroscience and Aging Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
TITLE: Brain Perfusion and Cognitive Function in Hemodialysis: Effects of Acute Hemodynamic Changes
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Henry H Wortis, MD, Professor, Pathology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PIs: Alexander N. Poltorak, PhD, Assistant Professor, Pathology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Andrew Camilli, PhD, Professor, Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Clay Bennett, PhD, Assistant Professor, Chemistry, Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences
TITLE: Carbohydrate Antigen-Based Vaccine
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Nirupa R. Matthan, PhD, Scientist II, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Co-PIs: Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, Senior Scientist, Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Sarah L. Booth, PhD, Senior Scientist, Vitamin K. Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Kyung-Jin Yeum, PhD, Scientist I, Carotenoids and Health Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Judith Wylie-Rosett, EdD, RD, Professor, Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University and Montefiore Medical Center
TITLE: Impact of Acculturation Status on Dietary Patterns and Health Outcomes in Chinese Americans
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development
PI: Margie Skeer, ScD., MPH, MSW, Assistant Professor, Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PIs: Sara C. Folta, PhD, Assistant Professor, John Hancock Research Center, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University
Kendrin R. Sonneville, ScD, Instructor in Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston
TITLE: Developing An Instrument To Measure Family Meals in Relation To The Prevention Of Adolescent Risk
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development
PI: Howard A. Smithline, MD, MS, Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine, Baystate Medical Center
Co-PI: Khalid H. Ismail, MD, Assistant Professor, Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Validity of Dyspnea Severity Measure in Acute Heart Failure: Pilot Study
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development
PI: Philip N. Tsichlis, MD, Professor, Medicine, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: NDY1/KDM2B: Development of An Enzymatic Assay And Initial Screening For Inhibitors
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development
2013 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
Two projects were awarded in 2013.
PI: Bill Chiu, MD, Assistant Professor, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PI: David Kaplan, PhD, Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University
TITLE: Development of Focal Therapy for Locally Advanced Neuroblastoma
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Virginia Rall Chomitz, PhD, Assistant Professor, Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PIs: Carole A. Palmer, RD, EdD, Division Head and Professor, Nutrition and Oral Health Promotion, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Cheen Y. Loo, DMD, Director and Associate Professor, Postdoctoral Pediatric Dentistry Program, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Susan Koch-Weser, ScD, Assistant Professor, Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Aviva Must, PhD, Morton A. Madoff Professor, Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
TITLE: Baby Steps to Healthy Eating and Healthy Teeth: A Public Health/Dental Obesity Prevention Pilot
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development
2014 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
Eight projects were awarded in 2014.
PI: Susan Hadley, MD, Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Geographic Medicine and Infectious Disease
Co-PIs: Eric L. Smith, MD, Assistant Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Orthopedics
Madhumathi Rao, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Nephrology
TITLE: Antibiotic Spacers for Infected Joint Prostheses: A Pilot Study of Antibiotic Levels and Kidney Function
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Paul Han, MD, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center
Co-PI: Remco Chang, PhD, Assistant Professor, Tufts University, Computer Science, Visual Analytics Library
TITLE: Development of the Prognosis Assessment for Conservative Treatment (PROACT) Tool
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Miaofen G. Hu, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Molecular Oncology Research Institute
Co-PI: Andrew Greenberg, MD, Professor, Tufts University, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
TITLE: The Role of CDK6 in Adipogenesis, Obesity and Diabetes
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Heber C. Nielsen, MD, Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Pediatrics, Neonatology
Co-PI: Li Zeng, PhD, Associate Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine, Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology
TITLE: Modulating PEDF to Treat Osteoarthritis
GRANT TYPE: Catalyst
PI: Rachel Buchsbaum, MD, Associate Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Molecular Oncology Research Institute
Co-PI: William Hancock, PhD, Professor, Northeastern University, Chemistry
TITLE: Finding the X Factor: How Breast Cancers Conscript the Tumor Microenvironment
GRANT TYPE: Multi-site Catalyst
PI: Daniel Jay, PhD, Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine, Developmental Molecular and Chemical Biology
Co-PIs: Phillip G. Haydon, PhD, Professor and Chair, Tufts University School of Medicine, Neuroscience
Thomas Biederer, PhD, Associate Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine, Neuroscience
TITLE: Gain Or Loss of Function in Neurons and Glia
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development
PI: Andreas K. Klein, MD, SM, Assistant Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology
Co-PI: Irene Georgakoudi, PhD, Associate Professor, Tufts University, Biomedical Engineering
TITLE: Confocal Backscatter-based Analysis of Circulating Malignant Lymphoid Cells
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development
PI: JoAnna K. Leyenaar, MD, MPH, MSc, Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine, Pediatrics
Co-PIs: Dmitry Khodyakov, PhD, Behavioral/Social Scientist, RAND Corporation
Susan L. Parish, PhD, MSW, Professor and Associate Dean, Brandeis University Heller School for Social Policy and Management
Laurel K. Leslie, MD, MPH, Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Community Medicine; Tufts CTSI
Peter K. Lindenauer, MD, MSc, Associate Professor, Baystate Medical Center, Center for Quality of Care Research
TITLE: “Nothing About Me Without Me”: Incorporating Patients’ Perspectives in the Discharge Record
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development
2015 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
The Tufts CTSI Pilot Studies program prioritizes three of our signature programs, including Stakeholder and Community Engagement. In the 2015 funding cycle, investigators submitted eight T3-T4 proposals. Five projects were funded including one T3-T4 project:
PI: Kieran F. Reid, PhD, MPH, Scientist III, Tufts University, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Center on Aging
Co-PI: Roger A. Fielding, PhD, Professor and Senior Scientist, Tufts University, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Center on Aging
TITLE: Translating a physical activity program into the community to preserve mobility in older adults
GRANT TYPE: Signature Programs/Stakeholder & Community Engagement; Single-site; T3
PI: Honorine D. Ward, MBBS, Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases
Co-PI: David R. Walt, PhD, Professor, Tufts University, Chemistry
TITLE: A point-of-care diagnostic platform for cryptosporidiosis
GRANT TYPE: Signature Programs/One Health; Multi-site; T1/T2
PI: Alexei Degterev, PhD, Associate Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine, Developmental Molecular and Chemical Biology
Co-PIs: Vladimir P. Torchilin, PhD, Professor and Director, Northeastern University, Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine
James D. Baleja, PhD, Associate Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine, Developmental Molecular and Chemical Biology
TITLE: Targeting melanoma via induction of synthetic metabolic collapse
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development; Multi-site; T1
PI: Howard C. Jen, MD, MSHS, Assistant Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Pediatric Surgery
Co-PI: David Kent, MD, Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy
TITLE: Enhancing patient centered decision-making prenatally through creation of a prediction model of CDH outcomes
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development; Single-site; T2
PI: Donna Slonim, PhD, Associate Professor, Tufts University, Computer Science
Co-PI: Diana W. Bianchi, MD, Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Mother Infant Research Institute
TITLE: Identifying treatments for fetuses and neonates with developmental disorders through data mining
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development; Multi-site; T1
2016 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
In the 2016 funding cycle, investigators submitted 13 T3-T4 proposals. A total of six projects were funded including three T3-T4 projects:
PI: Jessica Paulus, ScD, Investigator, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center; Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PI: Arlin Rogers, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
TITLE: Prolactin as a chemopreventive strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma
GRANT TYPE: Signature Programs/Comparative Effectiveness Research; Multi-site; T1/T2
PI: Marieke Rosenbaum, DVM, MPH, Research Assistant Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
TITLE: Lead and Salmonella in urban poultry flocks in Boston: Evaluating backyard chickens as sentinels of environmental contamination and vehicles for human exposure
GRANT TYPE: Signature Programs/One Health; Single-site; T3/T4
PI: Thomas Stopka, PhD, MHS, Assistant Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PIs: Leo Beletsky, JD, MPH, Associate Professor, Northeastern University Bouve College of Health Sciences
Peter Kreiner, PhD, Senior Scientist, Brandeis University Schneider Institute for Health Policy
TITLE: Facing the Opioid Epidemic (FOE): Assessing and responding to prescription and illicit opioid use and misuse in five New England states
GRANT TYPE: Multi-site; T4
PI: Amanda Vest, MD, MPH, Cardiologist, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Is Cardiac Cachexia reversible after implantation of a left ventricular assist device in patients with Advanced Systolic Heart Failure?
GRANT TYPE: Single-site; T3
PI: Amy Yee, PhD, Professor of Developmental, Molecular & Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PI: Jatin Roper, MD, Director, Center for Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancer, Tufts Medical Center; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
TITLE: A Pre-clinical model of Colitis-associated Colorectal Cancer
GRANT TYPE: Methods Development; Multi-site; T1
PI: Emily Zimmerman, PhD, Director, Speech and Neurodevelopment Lab, Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Northeastern University
Co-PI: Jill Maron, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Tufts Medical Center; Associate Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
TITLE: FOXP2 gene expression levels: A noninvasive biomarker to predict both oral feeding and speech-language success
GRANT TYPE: Signature Programs/Comparative Effectiveness Research; Multi-site; T1
2017 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
Tufts CTSI’s Pilot Studies Program prioritizes translational research projects in five areas, including three signature programs (Stakeholder and Community Engagement, Comparative Effectiveness Research, One Health), Integrating Special Populations, and Methods Development. In the 2017 funding cycle, investigators submitted ten T3-T4 proposals. Six projects were funded in 2017 including three T3-T4 proposals.
PI: Linda Hudson, ScD, ScM, MSPH, Assistant Professor, Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PI: Sara Folta, PhD, Assistant Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University
TITLE: Examining the efficacy of a culturally appropriate cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention curriculum designed for African-American women
Grant Type: Integrating Special Populations; Single-site; T4
PI: Tania Konry, PhD, Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Science, Northeastern University
Co-PI: Andrew Evens, DO, MSc, Director of Tufts Cancer Center, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Determining antibody treatment sensitivity in B cell lymphoma by novel microfluidics-based NK cell immunogenicity platforms
Grant Type: Methods Development; Multi-site; T1
PI: Kumaran Kolandaivelu, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Clinical Research Center Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Co-PI: William Harvey MD MSc, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Embedded Peri-Clinical Research Platform for Accelerated Medical Sensor/Algorithm Evaluation and Translation
Grant Type: Methods Development; T1
PI: Danielle Levac, PhD, Assistant Professor, Bioengineering, Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University
Co-PI: Nathan Ward, PhD, Assistant Professor, Psychology, Tufts University
TITLE: Influence of virtual environment complexity on motor learning in children with cerebral palsy: Implications for virtual reality use in rehabilitation
Grant Type: Signature Program (Comparative Effectiveness Research); Multi-site; T2
PI: Alisa Lincoln, PhD, MPH, BA/BS, Professor, Health Sciences and Sociology, Northeastern University
TITLE: Literacy Education for Improving Engagement In Treatment and Community Inclusion for People with Serious Mental Illness
Grant Type: Signature Program (Stakeholder and Community Engagement)/ Integrating Special Populations; Single-site; T2-T3
PI: Mary Ann Volpe, MD, Associate Professor, Pediatrics and Public Health, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PIs: Jill Maron, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Pediatrics, Tufts Medical Center; Anjali Iyengar, MD, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Tufts Medical Center; Jared Auclair, PhD, Director, Biotechnology Professional Science Masters and Training, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University; Tom Pochapsky, PhD, Professor, Chemistry, and Biochemistry, Brandeis University
TITLE: Development of Microfluidic Platforms to Non-Invasively Predict BPD and BPD-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension in Premature Neonates
Grant Type: Integrating Special Populations/ Methods Development; Multi-site; T1
2018 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
Tufts CTSI’s Pilot Studies Program prioritizes translational research projects in five areas: Comparative Effectiveness Research, Methods Development, One Health, Stakeholder and Community Engagement, and Integrating Special Populations. In the 2018 funding cycle, 10 projects will be funded (pending NIH approval).
PI: Heather Clark, PhD, Professor, Northeastern University, College of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering
Co-PI: None
TITLE: Implanted Nanosensors for Physiological Monitoring
Grant Type: Methods Development; Single-site; T.5
PI: Kathryn Connaghan, PhD, Associate Research Scientist, Northeastern University, Communication Analysis and Design Laboratory
Co-PI: Gary Bedell, PhD, Professor and Chair, Tufts University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy
TITLE: Adaptation and Usability of Social Participation and Navigation (SPAN) for Adolescent Speakers with Dysarthria
Grant Type: Integrating Special Populations/Methods Development; Multi-site; T1/T2
PI: Kimberly Dong, DrPH, RD, Research Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine
Co-PIs: James Benneyan, PhD, Professor, Northeastern University, College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering; Alysse Wurcel, MD, Physician, Tufts Medical Center, Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases
TITLE: Health Services and Systems Science Assessment of HIV Inmate-to-Community Care Transitions
Grant Type: Integrating Special Populations, Multi-site, T3
PI: Chris Dulla, PhD, Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience
Co-PI: Joshy George, PhD, Associate Director for Computational Sciences, The Jackson Laboratory
TITLE: Understanding Metabolic Changes Leading to Post-traumatic Epilepsy on a Single Cell Level
Grant Type: Multi-site; T0/T.5
PI: Christina Economos, PhD, Professor, Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Co-PI: Erin Hennessy, PhD, MPH, Research Assistant Professor, Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
TITLE: Refinement and Testing of a Novel Multi-Method Survey to Assess Stakeholder-Driven Community Diffusion of Childhood Obesity Prevention Efforts
Grant Type: Stakeholder and Community Engagement/Methods Development; Single-site, T3
PI: Caroline Genco, PhD, Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Immunology
Co-PI: Philip Hinds, PhD, Professor, Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology
TITLE: Microbial Vectors Engineered to Modulate Antigen-Specific Immune Responses for Targeted Melanoma Therapy
Grant Type: Methods Development; Single-site; T.5
PI: Christopher Hasson, PhD, Assistant Professor, Northeastern University, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Science
Co-PIs: Lester Leung, MD, Tufts Medical Center, Department of Neurology; Michael Pavel, PhD, Professor, Northeastern University College of Computer Information Science and Bouvé College of Health Sciences; Sheng-Che Yen, PhD, Assistant Professor, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Science
TITLE: Cyberphysical Therapy for Enhanced Neuromotor Recovery in Stroke Survivors
Grant Type: Comparative Effectiveness Research/Methods Development; Multi-site; T.5/T1
PI: Christina Mulé, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Tufts Medical Center, Floating Hospital for Children, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Co-PIs: Karen Freund, MD, MPH, Physician, Tufts Medical Center, Division of Internal Medicine and Adult Primary Care; Tara Lavelle, PhD, Investigator, Tufts Medical Center, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health; John Wong, MD, Physician, Division of Internal Medicine and Adult Primary Care
TITLE: Understanding Disparities in Shared-Decision Making among Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Grant Type: Stakeholder and Community Engagement/Integrating Special Populations; Single-site; T2
PI: Amy Pickering, PhD, Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Co-PI: Honorine Ward, MD, Professor, Tufts Medical Center, Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases
TITLE: Development of an Environmental Monitoring System Using Nanopore Sequencing for Detecting Antimicrobial Resistance Genes
Grant Type: Integrating Special Populations/Methods Development/One Health; Multi-site; T.5/T1
PI: Jonathan Runstadler, DVM, PhD, Professor, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health
Co-PI: Marieke Rosenbaum, DVM, MPH, Research Assistant Professor, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health
TITLE: Influenza Virus in Boston’s Urban Rodents
Grant Type: One Health; Single-site; T.5/T1
2019 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
Tufts CTSI’s Pilot Studies Program prioritizes translational research projects in Comparative Effectiveness Research, Methods Development, and One Health. In the 2019 funding cycle, eight projects will be funded (pending NIH approval).
PI: Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-PI: Irvienne Goldson, Deputy Director, Health Services Department, Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)
TITLE: Intervening Along the Continuum of Risk for Adolescent Girls: Addressing Food Insecurity at the Intersection of Exchange Sex
Grant Type: Multi-site; T3
PI: Shira Doron, MD, Attending Physician and Associate Hospital Epidemiologist and Antimicrobial Steward, Department of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PI: Claire Fellman, DVM, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Co-Is: Kirthana Beaulac, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Department of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center; Annie Wayne, DVM, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Science, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
TITLE: Quantifying Antimicrobial Use and Risk Factors for Prescribing in a Small Animal Veterinary Referral Hospital
Grant Type: One Health; Multi-site; T3
PI: Deborah Linder, DVM, Research Assistant Professor, Clinical Nutrition, Obesity Clinic, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Co-PI: Christina Mulé, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tufts Medical Center
Co-Is: Sean Cash, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Food and Nutrition Policy, Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy; Sara Folta, PhD, Associate Professor, Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy; Aviva Must, PhD, Professor/Chair, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
TITLE: Development of an Animal-assisted Intervention to Promote Physical Activity and Nutrition in Youth with Autism
Grant Type: One Health, Multi-site, T3
PI: Timothy McAlindon, MD, Chief, Division of Rheumatology, Tufts Medical Center
Co-I: Lucas Ogura-Dantas, PhD Candidate, Physical Therapist Doctoral Student, Division of Rheumatology, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: A Novel Smartphone Application to Objectively Measure Physical Function in Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study for ‘Smart’ Randomized Clinical Trials
Grant Type: Methods Development; Single-site, T2
PI: Susan Roberts, PhD, Laboratory Director and Senior Scientist, Energy Metabolism Laboratory, Tufts University Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Co-PI: Maria Carlota Dao, PhD, Scientist III, Energy Metabolism Laboratory, Tufts University Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging;
Co-Is: Adolfo Cuevas, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health, Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences; Christina Economos, PhD, Professor and the New Balance Chair in Childhood Nutrition, Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
TITLE: Development of Novel Behavioral Intervention for Sustainable Weight Loss in Obese Hispanic Adults
Grant Type: Single-site; T2/T3
PI: Kyla Shea, PhD, Scientist, Vitamin K Lab, Tufts University Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Co-I: Gregory Matuszek, MS, Bioinformatics Specialist, Biostatistics and Data Management Unit, Tufts University Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
TITLE: Vitamin K, the Intestinal Microbiome, and Osteoarthritis
Grant Type: Single-site; T.5
PI: Oscar Soto, MD, Director, Neuromuscular Division, Department of Neurology, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PI: Erica Kemmerling, PhD, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering
TITLE: Developing an Activity-dependent Marker of Upper Motor Neuron Dysfunction in ALS
Grant Type: Methods Development; Multi-site, T.5
PI: Srinivas Sridhar, PhD, University Distinguished Professor and Director, EMRI, College of Science, Northeastern University
Co-PI: Deborah Green-LaRoche, MD, Neurointensivist and Director of Clinical Research, Department of Neurology, Tufts Medical Center
Co-I: David Thaler, MD, PhD, Neurologist-in-Chief, Department of Neurology, Tufts Medical Center
TITLE: Objective Portable Diagnostics of Neurological Disorders
Grant Type: Methods Development; Multi-site; T1
2020 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
In the 2020 funding cycle, nine projects will be funded (pending NIH approval).
PI: Addy Alt-Holland, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Co-Is: James Baleja, PhD, Associate Professor of Medical Education, Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Athena Papas, DMD, PhD, Distinguished Professor, Department of Diagnostic Science, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Mabi Singh, DMD, Associate Professor, Department of Diagnostic Science, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Title: Metabolic Diagnostics in Sjogren’s Syndrome Patients
Grant Type: Single-site; T.5
PI: Nancy Baker, ScD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Tufts University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Co-Is: Megan Driscoll, MOT, Facility Director, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center; Robert Edwards, PhD, Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist, Pain Management Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; James Intriligator, PhD, Professor of Practice, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering; Nathan Ward, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Tufts University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Title: The Feasibility of Immersive Virtual Reality as a treatment for Chronic Back Pain
Grant Type: Single-site; T1
PI: Elizabeth Byrnes, PhD, Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
Co-PI(s): Emmanuel Pothos, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Tufts University School of Medicine; Barbara Waszczak, PhD, Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences
Co-I: Fair Vassoler, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
Title: Preclinical Support for Intranasal Delivery of Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor DNA Nanoparticles in the Prevention of Opioid Relapse
Grant Type: Methods Development; Multi-site; T.5
PI: Michael Chin, MD, PhD, Research Director, Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center
Title: Defining the Protein Interaction Networks in Human Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Grant Type: Single-site, T.5
PI: Chun-An Chou, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University College of Engineering
Co-PIs: Yingzi Lin, PhD, Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University College of Engineering; Sheng-Che Yen, PhD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Science, Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences
Title: Decoding Multi-Modal Physiological Response Patterns for Assessing Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment in VR-based Driving
Grant Type: Methods Development; Single-site; T.5/T1
PI: Jessica Paulus, ScD, Investigator, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Studies, Tufts Medical Center
Co-I: David Kent, MD, Attending Physician, Department of Internal Medicine and Adult Primary Care and Director, Predictive Analytics and Comparative Effectiveness (PACE) Center, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Studies, Tufts Medical Center
Title: Understanding Algorithmic Bias and Unfairness in Health Care
Grant Type: Comparative Effectiveness Research; Single-site; T1/T2/T3
PI: Amy Pickering, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering
Co-PI: Ashlee Earl, PhD, Research Scientist, The Broad Institute
Co-I: Marieke Rosenbaum, DVM, MPH, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
Title: Exploring Transmission of Antibiotic-resistant and Pathogenic Bacteria between Humans, Animals, and the Environment in Urban Kenya with Hybrid Metagenome Assembly
Grant Type: One Health; Single-site; T2/T3/T4
PI: Joseph Rappold, MD, Chief, Department of Surgical Critical Care, Maine Medical Center
Co-PIs: Igor Prudovsky, PhD, Faculty Scientist II, Maine Medical Center Research Institute
Title: Understanding the Protective Effects of Tranexamic Acid in Trauma: Beyond Anti-fibrinolysis
Grant Type: Single-site; T.5
PI: Tomo Tarui, MD, Pediatric Neurologist, Department of Pediatrics, Tufts Medical Center
Co-I: Michael House, MD, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Physician, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts Medical Center; Neel Madan, MD, Radiologist, Department of Radiology, Tufts Medical Center
Title: Fetal Neuroimaging Predictors of Childhood Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Fetuses with Isolated Ventriculomegaly
Grant Type: Methods Development; Single-site, T.5/T1
2021 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
In the 2021 funding cycle, seven projects will be funded (pending NIH approval).
PI: Ambika Bajpayee, PhD, MEng, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University
Co-PI: Ezra Cohen, MD, Director of Pediatric Rheumatology, Boston University
Title: Long-acting Local Anesthesia to Treat Pain from Osteoarthritis
Grant Type: Single-site; T.5
PI: Christine Bishop, PhD, AM, Atran Professor of Labor Economics, Brandeis University Heller School for Social Policy and Management
Co-PI: Signe Peterson Flieger, PhD, MA, MSW, Associate Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Title: Medicaid Enrollees’ Receipt of Home- and Community-based Services: Allocation and Impact
Grant Type: Multi-site; T4
PI: Srivalleesha Mallidi, PhD, MS, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering
Co-PI: Brian Anthony, PhD, MS, Co-Director, Medical Electronic Device Realization Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Title: Free-hand Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Imaging for Monitoring Oral Cancer Lesions
Grant Type: Multi-site; T.5
PI: Elizabeth Peacock-Chambers, MD, MS, Pediatrician, Baystate Medical Center
Co-PI: Amy LeClair, PhD, MPhil, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Co-Is: Rebecca Blanchard, PhD, MEd, Senior Director of Education, Baystate Health; Amanda Lowell, PhD, MS, Associate Research Scientist, Yale Child Study Center; Amanda Zayde, PsyD, Attending Psychologist, Montefiore Medical Center
Title: Development and Feasibility Assessment of a Train-the-Trainer Model to Improve Access to an Evidence-based Parenting Intervention for Mothers in Recovery from Substance Use Disorder
Grant Type: Multi-site; T2
PI: Ellen Roche, PhD, MS, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Co-Is: Ravi Rasalingam, MBChB, Cardiologist, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System; Tarsha Ward, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School
Title: A Novel Device for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Pilot Clinical Study
Grant Type: Single-site; T1
PI: Kinna Thakarar, DO, MPH, Attending Physician, Maine Medical Center
Co-PIs: Peter Friedmann, MD, MPH, DFASAM, FACP, Chief Research Officer, Baystate Health; Thomas Stopka, PhD, MS, Associate Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Title: Improving Discharge Decision-making Among Vulnerable Hospitalized Patients with Injection Drug Use-associated Infections
Grant Type: Multi-site; T2
PI: Benjamin Wessler, MD, FACC, Director, Heath Valve Center, Division of Cardiology, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PI: Michael Hughes, PhD, MS, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Tufts University School of Engineering
Title: A Benchmark De-identified Echocardiogram Database for Studying Automated Diagnoses
Grant Type: Multi-site; T1
2022 Pilot Studies Grant Awardees
In the 2022 funding cycle, eight projects will be funded (pending NIH approval).
PI: Maher Ghamloush, MD, Pulmonary Function Lab Director, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PIs: Harrison Farber, MD, Director of Pulmonary Embolism Response Team, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Tufts Medical Center; Krishna Penumatsa, PhD, Staff Scientist, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Tufts Medical Center
Co-I: Stephanie Hon, MD, Pulmonary Hypertension Specialist, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Tufts Medical Center
Title: Exercise Limitations and Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Injury in Individuals with Persistent Symptoms after Recovery from SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Grant Type: Single-site; T1
PI: Gaurav Gulati, MD, Cardiologist, CardioVascular Center, Tufts Medical Center
Co-I: Navin Kapur, MD, Cardiologist, CardioVascular Center, Tufts Medical Center
Title: Pulmonary Vascular Impedance as a Novel Tool to Understand Right Ventricular Afterload in Cardiogenic Shock
Grant Type: Single-site; T1
PI: Stephen Hatfield, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University
Co-I: Zhongde Wang, PhD, Professor, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Utah State University
Title: Preventing the Oxygenation-associated Inflammation of Ventilated COVID-19 Patients with ARDS
Grant Type: Single-site; T.5
PI: Erin Meier, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University
Co-PI: Stephen Intille, PhD, Associate Professor, Khoury College of Computer and Information Science, Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University
Title: Word Retrieval in the Wild: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Pilot Study in People with Post-Stroke Aphasia
Grant Type: Single-site; T1
PI: Evangelos Papathanasiou, PhD, DMD, DDS, Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, Tufts University
Co-PI: Andrew Scott, MD, Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Tufts Children’s Hospital
Co-I: Brianne Barnett Roby, MD, Pediatric Otolaryngologist, ENT Facial Plastic Clinic, Children’s Minnesota; Larry Hartzell, MD, Otolaryngologist, Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, Arkansas Children’s Hospital; Thomas Van Dyke, DDS, PhD, Senior Member of Staff, The Forsyth Institute
Title: Specialized Pro-resolving Lipid Mediators and Scarring after Cleft Lip Repair Surgeries – A Multicenter Clinical Study
Grant Type: Multi-site; T2
PI: Wendy Puryear, PhD, Scientist II, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University
Co-PIs: Jonathan Runstadler, PhD, DVM, Professor, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University; Charles Shoemaker, PhD, Professor, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University
Title: VHH-based Universal Influenza Therapeutic
Grant Type: Single-site; T.5
PI: Briana Taylor, PhD, Faculty Scientist I, Center for Psychiatric Research, Maine Medical Center Research Institute
Title: Automated Videosomnography to Monitor Sleep in Children with Autism: A Pilot Study of Validity, Feasibility, and Stakeholder Acceptability
Grant Type: Single-site; T1
PI: Tamara Vesel, MD, Chief, Division of Palliative Care, Tufts Medical Center
Co-PI: Megan Cheung, MS, Associate Director/Clinical Director, Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center
Co-Is: Klemens Meyer, MD, Director of Dialysis Services, Division of Nephrology, Tufts Medical Center; Michelle Richardson, PharmD, Special and Scientific Staff, Division of Nephrology, Tufts Medical Center
Title: Assessing and Improving Chinese American Decision-making Surrounding Treatment for Kidney Failure
Grant Type: Multi-site; T2