Research Awards
October 2023
Dr. Xiaolei Huang, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science, was awarded $1,115,997 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for his project “MRI: Track 2 Acquisition of a High-Performance Computing Cluster for Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration on AI-driven and Data-intensive Research and Education in West Tennessee.”
Dr. Vasile Rus, Jack and Jane Morris Professor in the Department of Computer Science, was awarded $657,857 from the U.S. Department of Education (US DoEd) for his project “iCODE: Investigating and Scaffolding Students' Code Comprehension Processes To Improve Learning, Engagement, and Retention.”
Dr. M. David Rudd, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology, was awarded $566,943 from Ohio State University (OSU) with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for his projects “Examining the Efficacy of a Digital Therapeutic to Prevent Suicidal Behaviors,” and “Web-Based Provider Training for Brief Cognitive Behavior Therapy (BCBT) for Suicide Prevention.”
Dr. Susan Neely-Barnes, professor, director, and chair in the Department of Social Work, was awarded $530,000 from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for her project “Recruiting Interprofessional Scholars for Excellence in Childhood, Adolescence, & Young Adulthood (RISE-CAY).”
Dr. Matthew Smeltzer, associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, was awarded $476,610 from the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) for his project “Tennessee Public Health Surveillance Program for Sickle Cell Disease.”
Dr. Stephanie Ivey, associate dean for Research and professor in the Herff College of Engineering, was awarded $298,467 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for her project “Collaborative Research: The Urban STEM Collaboratory - Building STEM Identity and Student Success through Academic, Financial, Social, and Career Support,” $74,183 from Leidos Incorporated with the Federal Highway Administration for her project “FHWA Office of Operations Support Services,” and $35,000 from Battelle for her project “TSIN - West TN STEM Hub.”
Dr. Nicholas Simon, associate professor, Experimental (Behavioral Neuroscience) in the Department of Psychology, was awarded $195,872 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for his project “Circuit-specific catecholamine regulation of sensitivity to delayed punishment.”
Dr. James Murphy, professor in the Department of Psychology, was awarded $180,500 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for his project “A Qualitative Analysis of Social and Behavioral Processes Associated with Self-Change in Drinking in an Existing Cohort of Black and White Emerging Adults,” and $11,522 from the University of Kansas Center for Research with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for his project “Using Neuroeconomics to Characterize State-Based Increases and Decreases in Alcohol Value.”
Dr. Satish Kedia, associate dean of Administration & Faculty Affairs, interim director and professor in the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, was awarded $180,325 from Buffalo Valley (BV) Incorporated with the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for his projects “SAMHSA MAT 2021 BVI TBD” and “Expanding substance abuse/co-occurring treatment and recovery support services for fentanyl overdose clients in rural middle Tennessee,” and $105,325 from Mending Hearts, Inc. with the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for his project “SAMHSA MAT 2021 MHI TBD.”
Dr. Ali Fatemi, Ring Companies Endowed Professor, department chair, and director of Fatigue and Fracture Research Laboratory in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was awarded $136,265 from the Steel Founders' Society of America with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for his project “Application of Fracture Mechanics for Strength Prediction of Steel Castings.”
Dr. James McCutcheon, associate professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Criminal Justice, was awarded $102,448 from the City of Memphis Police Department (CMPD) with the U.S. Department of Justice (US DoJ) for his project “Evaluation of Sexual Assault Kit Testing.”
Dr. James Adelman, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, was awarded $71,293 from Virginia Tech with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for his project “Ecological and evolutionary causes and consequences of host heterogeneity induced by prior exposure.”
Dr. Shawn Brown, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, was awarded $64,000 from USDA Forest Service for his project “Monitoring Pathogen Buildup in White Oak Outplanted Restoration Sites.”
Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist, professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research, was awarded $58,500 from the Tennessee Department of Human Services for her project “Interagency Agreement: Pre-Employment Transition Services.”
Dr. Elena Delavega, professor in the Department of Social Work, was awarded $55,654 from the Church Health Center of Memphis for her project “Improving Behavioral Healthcare for the Latinx Community in Memphis.”
Dr. Brian Waldron, associate professor and director of the Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering (CAESER), in the Department of Civil Engineering was awarded $48,805 from the City of Germantown for his project “City of Germantown WHP.”
Dr. Stephen Zanskas, professor and associate dean in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research, was awarded $40,777 from the U.S. Department of Education (US DoEd) for his project “Rehabilitation Counselor Training Program.”
Dr. Yuki Matsuda, professor of Japanese and Japanese Section Head in the Department of World Languages and Literature, was awarded $10,000 from The Japan Foundation Los Angeles for her project “Salary Assistance Grant.”
Dr. Richard Bloomer, Dean and professor in the College of Health Sciences, was awarded $9,751 from Lumanity with Mirparm, LLC for his project “Impact of a topical cosmetic product intended to promote the health and beauty of women's hair.”
Dr. Suzanne Lease, associate professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research, was awarded $6,000 from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for her project “Effort-Reward Imbalance Among Student-Athletes: Relationships with Exploitation, Well-being, Performance Satisfaction, Stress, and Burnout.”