Sponsored Research Funding Highlights
Fiscal Year 2025
College of Health Research Office
FY 2025 Sponsored Research Funding Highlights
In FY25, our faculty garnered $23,783,128 in sponsored grants and contracts and the College research expenditures were $33,602,431. The total for expenditures is the highest annual research expenditures in the history of our college.
Although over half of our sponsored research is funded by federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Education, our funding portfolio also includes awards from the state of Oregon, non-profit organizations and foundations, and industry.
Below are examples of notable research awards received in FY 2025. These awards reflect the college’s diverse disciplines and commitment to embrace innovative approaches and methods, conduct both basic and applied research with diverse populations, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration. Findings from these research projects have the potential to improve health and well-being in Oregon and beyond.
Notable Research Awards in FY 2025 include
Investigating Radon's Role in the Incidence and Mortality of Central Nervous System and Other Non-Pulmonary Cancers
Funded by the Medical Research Foundation of Oregon, $50,000, for one year
Matt Bozigar (PI), Assistant Professor of Epidemiology
Although genetic factors influence cancer susceptibility, the causes of most cancers remain uncertain, with environmental factors playing substantial but highly underexplored roles. Radon, a known lung carcinogen, warrants further investigation for its potential links to non-pulmonary cancers, such as those of the central nervous system (CNS) and other sites. This project aims to investigate associations between radon exposure, radioactive PM, and non-pulmonary cancer risks, using diverse large-scale datasets and innovative ZIP code-level radon exposure models. Award abstract.
Virtual Mindful After Cancer Intervention to Promote Sexual Health for Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Survivors
Funded by the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, $907,532 for three years
Jessica Gorman (PI), Associate Professor, Health Promotion and Health Behavior
Despite the high prevalence of sexual health concerns in cancer survivorship, these concerns often go unaddressed. The specific aims of the project are 1) to conduct a pilot trial in preparation for a future multisite pragmatic trial of the virtual Mindful After Cancer Intervention and 2) to identify contextual factors that may shape equitable reach and future implementation of the intervention. Award abstract.
PURE-Climate: Identifying and Adapting to Climate Change as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Human Health
Funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health $595,043 for 1 year
Perry Hystad (PI), Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health
Climate change is a major global health threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is an alarming absence of research on climate-driven exposures and their impact on human health in LMICs, as well as the adaptation and building of resilience to these climate hazards. The proposed research aims to establish a global climate-health study to assess the direct and indirect effects of climate-driven exposures on human health, utilizing an existing global prospective cohort study. In addition, it will develop a framework for building resilience to climate change impacts on health in low-resource settings. Award abstract.
Effects of Alcohol on Bone Remodeling Balance in Male and Female Non-Human Primates and Humans
Funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, $148,500 for 2 years
Urszula Iwaniec (PI), Professor, Nutrition
Chronic heavy alcohol consumption contributes to high rates of low trauma fractures in middle-aged and elderly populations, especially men. However, low trauma fracture rates in chronic alcohol abusers exceed levels predicted by age, sex, and bone mineral density, suggesting that alcohol negatively impacts bone quality. Without understanding the precise effects of alcohol on bone quality, it will be difficult to appropriately target interventions. The proposed studies will evaluate the impact of heavy alcohol consumption on bone in a non-human primate model for voluntary drinking and in humans with chronic alcohol abuse who died following an accident. This research is important because of the large economic, social, and personal burden associated with poor bone health. Award abstract.
Heads-Toes-Knees-Shoulders (HTKS) Executive Functioning Assessment
Funded by the Gates Foundation, $657,108 for 2 years
Megan McClelland (PI), Professor, Human Development and Family Sciences
Children’s self-regulation is an important predictor of school success, but few valid and practical direct assessments exist. Tools such as Heads-Toes-Knees-Shoulders (HTKS) enable researchers to measure the application of global Executive Functioning (EF) processes to behavioral self-regulation in a reliable and valid way for children 4-8 years of age. We propose to expand our work on the HTKS-Kids tablet-based assessment to (a) understand how HTKS-Kids can work best when partnered with other app-based assessments; (b) develop and test a child-led version; and (c) evaluate HTKS-Kids’ psychometric and equity promise for children whose first language is English or Spanish. Award abstract.
Developing Equitable Fitness Assessments for Youth with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services, $900,000 for 3 years
Andrew Pitchford (PI), Assistant Professor, Kinesiology
The FitnessGram for ALL Initiative will develop an updated version of the FitnessGram test battery that is inclusive of students with disabilities, including youth with autism and other developmental disabilities (autism/DD). It is estimated that approximately 800,000 students with autism and other developmental disabilities (autism\DD) have been marginalized within the realm of fitness testing. This issue is significant because both the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) specify that students with disabilities must be evaluated with valid and reliable instruments. The lack of appropriate fitness measures also limits the quality of research on health promotion programs and interventions for this population. Award abstract.
Evaluating Efforts to Improve Family Access to Infant/Toddler Child Care in Oregon through CCDF Quality Set-Aside Dollars
Funded by the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, $2,000,000 for 5 years
Megan Pratt (PI), Associate Professor of Practice, Human Development and Family Sciences
Childcare for infants and toddlers is among the least available and affordable care for families in Oregon. The proposed project is in response to an Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) Grant Opportunity for Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF). Oregon’s CCDF Lead Agency allocates funds to a number of different activities, including a pilot program, called Baby Promise. The program is designed to increase family access to and the supply of quality toddler childcare throughout the state. The proposed project will evaluate the implementation and impact of Baby Promise using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Findings will respond to and have implications for current and future local, state, and national policymaking. Award abstract.