Research Awards

This page highlights recent research awards received by faculty and staff across the University of Memphis, showcasing the scope, scale, and impact of their work. These awards support innovative research, creative activity, and community-engaged projects spanning transportation, public safety, health, education, the arts, and workforce development.

Collectively, they reflect strong partnerships with federal, state, industry, and nonprofit funders and underscore the University’s commitment to advancing knowledge, addressing real-world challenges, and creating lasting impact locally and beyond.

Dr. Ashish Joshi, Dean of the School of Public Health, received $1,043,560 from the Centers for Disease Control for his project, “A2 Y2 -Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce and Data Systems.”

 

Dr. Matthew Smeltzer, Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, received $500,000 from the Centers for Disease Control for his project, “Tennessee Public Health Surveillance Program for Sickle Cell Disease.”

 

Dr. Chrysanthe Preza, Kanuri Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received $478,511 from the National Science Foundation for her project, “REU Site: Artificial Intelligence in Multidisciplinary Engineering Research for Guided Exploration (AI-MERGE).”

 

Dr. Thomas Goebel, Associate Professor in the Center for Earthquake Research and Information, received $272,211 from the National Science Foundation for his project, “Collaborative Research: Why are foreshocks rare in nature?” He also received $15,000 from the US Army Research Office for his project, How do Earthquakes Stop?: A multi-scale study of dynamic fracture and slip using optical and seismic imaging.”

 

Dr. Raghav Jha, Assistant Professor in the School of Communication Science and Disorders, received $197,593 from the National Institutes of Health for his project, “Rotary Chair System equipped with Videonystagmography and pediatric assessment capabilities.”

 

Mary Tucker, Chief Policy and Compliance Officer in University Schools, received $195,588 from the US Department of Education for her project, “FY26 School-Wide Pool.”

 

Dr. Satish Kedia, Associate Dean of the School of Public Health and Professor of Social and Behavioral Health, received $157,581 from the State of Tennessee for his project, “Evaluating and Advancing Evidence-Based Strategies to Combat Tennessee's Opioid Crisis from the Stakeholders' Perspective,” and $156,718, also from the State of Tennessee, for his project, “Enhancing Opioid Prevention and Harm Reduction in Tennessee through Comprehensive Evaluation.”

Dr. Thouraya Al-Nasser, Clinical Assistant Professor of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership and Director of the UofM Autism Treatment, Training and Research Center received $143,750 from the Urban Child Institute for her project, “UofM Autism Treatment, Training, and Research Clinic.”

 

Dr. Sabya Mishra, Professor of Civil Engineering, received $124,929 from the Memphis Area Transit Authority for his project, “Asset Management Plan for Memphis Transit Fleet.”

 

Dr. Richard Bloomer, Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, received $110,000 from the US Department of Health and Human Services for his project, Substance Use Prevention Among Vulnerable Youth.”

 

Caitlin Harrington, Department Head and Associate Professor in University Libraries, received $99,090 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for her project, “Title II Toolkit.”

 

Dr. Jamie Brunsdon, Assistant Professor of Physical Education Teacher Education in the College of Health and Human Sciences, received $80,000 from the Spectrum Institute for Teaching and Learning for his project, “Sara Ashworth Graduate Student Assistantship-Scholarship.”

 

Dr. Rodrigo Villalpando-Vizcaino, Research Assistant Professor in CAESAR, received $342,680 from the City of Germantown for his project, “Germantown wellhead protection efforts.”

 

Dr. Philip Kohlmeier, Assistant Professor of Biology, received $53,000 from the National Science Foundation for his project, “NSF GRFP Mitchell.”

Dr. Stephanie Ivey, Professor of Civil Engineering, received $46,000 from the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis for her project, “Girls Experiencing Engineering.”

 

Dr. Randolph Dupont, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, received $45,000 from the City of Memphis for his project, “MPD Critical Incident Services.”

 

Dr. D. Kimbrough Oller, Professor and Plough Chair of Excellence in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, received $40,049 from the National Institutes of Health for his project, “Early communication in TSC and its relation to Autism.”

 

Dr. Meredith Ray, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, received $10,715 from the National Institutes of Health for her project, “Optimizing HIV prevention for highly vulnerable methamphetamine-using sexual minority men.”

 

Dr. Gabriel Ezema, Assistant Professor of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research received $7,200 from the American Psychological Association for his project, “Decent education as a developmental condition: Understanding institutional thresholds of opportunity, belonging, and future work.”

 

Dr. Shelby Peel, Assistant Professor in the College of Health and Human Sciences, received $1,500 from the American Athletics Conference for her project, “An Educational Intervention to Improve Early Care Seeking a Suspected Musculoskeletal Injury.”