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School of Public Health Faculty Receive 2026 CoRS Award

Community of Research Scholars 2026 Award Recipients

Sunday, 01 March 2026

The University of Memphis School of Public Health is proud to announce that three faculty members have been selected as recipients of the 2026 CoRS (Community of Research Scholars) awards. These competitive awards support innovative research that advances science, strengthens community impact, and builds future external funding opportunities.

CoRS grants are internal research awards designed to:

Support innovative, high-impact research projects
Build research infrastructure and collaboration
Help faculty generate preliminary data for larger external funding (e.g., NIH, NSF, federal or foundation grants)
Strengthen the university’s research capacity in priority areas

These awards are competitive and typically fund projects that can grow into externally funded research programs and produce meaningful community or scientific impact.

Abu Mohammed Naser Titu, PhD, MBBS, MPH

Developing the Infrastructure for Research on Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiotoxicity in Shelby County

Dr. Titu’s project will establish critical infrastructure to support research on the cardiovascular effects of cancer therapies. By strengthening local research capacity, the project aims to improve understanding of cardiotoxicity risks among cancer patients in Shelby County and contribute to improved prevention and treatment strategies. This work has the potential to advance clinical knowledge while promoting health equity in the region.

Chunrong Jia, PhD

REAIM WASH IMPACT

Dr. Jia’s research applies implementation science to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions. Using the RE-AIM framework, the project will assess how these interventions perform in practice and how they can be scaled to improve public health outcomes in diverse communities.

Kallol Kumar Bhattacharyya, MBBS, MA, PhD

Developing a Mixed Reality Horticulture Practice App for Quality of Life and Cognitive Benefit of Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Dr. Bhattacharyya’s project combines mixed reality technology with therapeutic horticulture practices to support older adults experiencing mild cognitive impairment. The initiative seeks to enhance cognitive engagement, well-being, and quality of life through an innovative digital application that promotes interactive and accessible therapeutic activities.

These projects highlight the School of Public Health’s commitment to interdisciplinary research, innovation, and community-focused solutions. The CoRS awards will help these faculty members to expand their work and pursue larger national research funding opportunities in the future.

The School of Public Health congratulates Dr. Titu, Dr. Jia, and Dr. Bhattacharyya on this important achievement.

(Top Left) Dr. Dale Sanders, SPH Interim Division Director, Program Director and Professor accompanied by SPH Faculty, Staff, and MHA students

Kallol Kumar Bhattacharyya, MBBS, MA, PhD, Chunrong Jia, PhD and Abu Mohammed Naser Titu, PhD, MBBS, MPH

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The Office of Communications at The University of Memphis School of Public Health