Effects of vitamin D and Omega-3 supplementation on telomeres in VITAL                                                 08/2016 – 04/2021
PI:  Yanbin Dong (MPI: Haidong Zhu)                                                                                            
NIH, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

The goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that vitamin D and/or marine omega-3 improves cellular aging (leukocyte telomere length or LTL) in older participants (n=1,054) of the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) over time. This study also proposes to examine the effects of on the longitudinal interrelationships among inflammatory cytokines, cardiovascular risk, and LTL attrition.

Early Life Stress, Damage Associated Molecular Patterns, and Cardiovascular Risk                                  02/2018 - 01/2021
PI: Yanbin Dong
NIH, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Critical knowledge gaps remain regarding whether these circulating danger molecules are involved in the psychopathological process. This proposal will take advantage of our existing longitudinal Georgia Stress and Heart (GSH) cohort, in order to study novel molecular mechanisms and biomarkers for early life stress and high BP regarding damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).

Role of Skeletal Muscle Health on Poor Lifestyle Related Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular  Risk     09/2018 – 08/2023
PI: Xiaoling Wang (MPI: Ryan Harris)  
NIH, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute       

The fundamental objective of this proposal is to evaluate the systemic contribution of skeletal muscle health in mediating the role of poor lifestyles (i.e. psychosocial stress, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity) on insulin resistance and the development of preclinical markers of CVD (i.e. endothelial function and arterial stiffness).

Estrogen-Mediated Impairments of Vascular Health in Diabetes                                                                   02/2018 - 12/2022
PI: Ryan A. Harris
NIH, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

The overall objectives of this proposal are 1) to uncover the ability of estrogen to reduce nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and impair vascular health in type 1 diabetes and 2) introduce two novel physiological mechanisms that contribute to estrogen-mediated vascular dysfunction in type 1 diabetes.

Mechanism for exercise intolerance in CF: Role of PDE5 inhibition                                                                07/2019 – 06/2022
PI: Ryan A. Harris  
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Clinical Research Award        

The overall goal of this proposal is to evaluate the impact that sildenafil has on clinically relevant and patient oriented outcomes and to increase our understanding of the potential mechanisms which contribute to improvements in exercise capacity following PDE5 inhibition in people with moderate to severe CF lung disease.

Pediatric Ambulatory Blood Pressure Trajectory and Brain Health in Midlife                                             06/2019 – 04/2023
PI: Shaoyong Su 
NIH, National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute       

The goal of this study is to identify at what age the impact of high blood pressure (BP) on cognitive impairment starts to occur and the potential mechanisms underlying the link.

Psychosocial stress, epigenetics and health disparity in hypertension                                                        08/2019 – 05/2024
PI: Shaoyong Su
NIH, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

This project aims to examine how epigenetics mediates the effect of chronic stress on the risk of essential hypertension and its related racial disparity.

Prevention of Misuse and Abuse of Prescription Medications                                                                            9/2019 - 08/2021
PI: Martha Tingen
GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities           

 This Project utilizes individual and environmental strategies to prevent the misuse and abuse of alcohol and electronic cigarettes in youth in primarily schools and churches.

Choose life Suicide Prevention Program                                                                                                             02/2019 – 01/2021
PI: Martha Tingen
GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities/MHDDAD/GDHR

The goals of this project are  to 1) lead efforts to reduce suicide attempts in the state of Georgia in rural (Jones) and urban (Richmond) counties , and 2) provide trainings on suicide prevention to key school and community members, intervention and recovery after an attempt, and postvention to families after a loss to suicide

State Technical College Program for the Prevention of Opioid Misuse and Abuse                              03/2019 – 02/2021
PI: Martha Tingen
GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

The goal of this project is to mentor and train five technical colleges (that have the highest opioid use) in the state of Georgia on the Strategic Prevention Framework to address opioid use and misuse by their technical college students.

SOR College Adopt a School Project                                                                                                                 09/2019 – 10/2020
PI: Martha Tingen
GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

The goal fo this project is to mentor and train six USG colleges (that have the highest opioid use) in the state of Georgia on the Strategic Prevention Framework to address opioid use and misuse by their students.

Impacting Cancer Health Disparities and Facilitating Cancer Health Equity in Breast, Multiple Myeloma, and Prostate Cancers in Underserved and Minority Populations: The cancer-Community Awareness Access Research & Education II (c-CARE II) Initiative                                                                                                                                        7/2020  07/2023
PI: Martha Tingen
Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation

This project provides training and education in faith-based and community sites on risks of breast, multiple myeloma, and prostate cancers and encourages screenings in those eligible and encourages smoking cessation in current smokers.

A Collaborative Approach to Address COVID-19 among Vulnerable and  At-Risk African American Populations
                                                                                                                                                                                     
04/2020 – 04/2021
PI: Martha Tingen
Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation

 

Augusta Fit Families                                                                                                                                                   03/2020 – 03/2021
PI: Martha Tingen
United States Conference of Mayors and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America

This project aims to implement programs in early childhood education centers and faith-based communities that offer daily childcare options to increase access to physical activity for children and youth and to improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Development of a Patient Centered Primary and Secondary Prevention Intervention for Breast and Ovarian Cancer in African American Women                                                                                                                                       02/2020 – 03/2021
PI: Marlo Vernon
Intramural Grants Program – Georgia Cancer Center

This project will conduct a qualitative needs assessment and develop a culturally competent breast and ovarian cancer prevention intervention, through the promotion of breastfeeding and genetic screening for cancer risk among African American (AA) women.

Living My BREAST Life: Breast Cancer Research, Education, and Access to Screening and Genetic Testing for Minority and Underserved Georgia Women                                                                                                                     02/2020 – 03/2021
PI: Samantha Sojourner
Intramural Grants Program – Georgia Cancer Center

The overall aim of this project is to improve breast cancer outcomes within minority and underserved communities in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), Georgia and nationally through awareness and education; improved prevention and early detection behaviors; navigation to proper care; and increased minority participation in clinical trials.