Katie Cardarelli, Dean of the School of Public Health & Information Sciences (SPHIS), and Jeffrey Bumpous, Dean of the School of Medicine (SOM), developed the Joint Pilot Project Program with $250,000 to support novel, collaborative research projects forming the basis for new NIH ROI grant applications. The Joint Pilot Project Program offers valuable resources for SOM and SPHIS investigators to tackle pressing health and public health challenges.

“Establishing this initiative and funding four joint pilot projects underscores our commitment to expanding transdisciplinary research. A key part of that is fostering strong relationships across schools and growing our NIH portfolio. Together, we are ready to elevate the impact of our research in Louisville and beyond,” said Dr. Cardarelli.

The awardee selection process was established and managed by SOM’s Vice Dean of Research, J. Christopher States, and SPHIS’ Associate Dean for Research, W. Paul McKinney. In response to the RFA announcement, faculty submitted 15 letters of intent; eight (8) projects were invited to submit full proposals. A panel of six faculty from SPHIS and SOM scored the proposals (listed below), and four joint projects were selected for funding.

“The research activities involved with these projects underscores the immeasurable talents we have at the University of Louisville. Our physician scientists are leading the way in cutting-edge discoveries that will improve the health and well-being of our community, Commonwealth and world. I am honored to have the opportunity to support such impactful work,” said Dr. Bumpous.

Congratulations to the following researchers who received pilot project funding to support four unique initiatives that launched in October 2024 and will run through December 2025. These awardees are expected to submit an NIH grant proposal using data from their pilot projects by June 30, 2026.

PROJECTS & INVESTIGATORS

Click here to read abstracts

Integrating artificial intelligence and gene editing to identify and validate epigenetic targets for nutrient-based interventions in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

-   Shao-yu Chen, PhD, Professor & Distinguished Scholar, Dept. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine

-   Shuoyang Wang, PhD, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Public Health & Information Sciences

Exposome approach to environmental carcinogen exposures and breast cancer incidence

-   Lu Cai, Professor, MD, MPH, Professor, Depts. of Pediatrics, Radiation Oncology, Pharmacology & Toxicology; Director, Pediatric Research Institute; School of Medicine

-   Natalie DuPré, ScD, MS, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Epidemiology & Population Health, School of Public Health & Information Sciences

Development of a novel intervention to improve treatment of liver disease in rural communities

-   Michael E. Egger, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine

-   Seyed Karimi, PhD, Associate Professor, Dept. of Health Management & Systems Sciences, School of Public Health & Information Sciences

Individual and Structural Factors of Prescription Weight Loss Drug Misuse Among People with Eating Disorders

-   Cheri Levinson, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Psychological & Brain Sciences; Dept. of Pediatrics, School of Medicine

-   Nicholas Peiper, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor, Epidemiology & Population Health, School of Public Health & Information Sciences

PROPOSAL REVIEWERS

-   Richard Baumgartner, PhD, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Epidemiology & Population Health      

-   Amanda Jo LeBlanc, PhD, FAHA, Professor, Dept. of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery; Cardiovascular Innovation Institute; Pilot Project Program Director, Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences; Interim Associate Dean of Research, School of Medicine; Interim Associate Dean of Research, School of Nursing

-   Maureen McCall, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Chair of the School of Medicine Research Committee

-   Bert Little, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Health Management & Systems Sciences

-   Jelani Kerr, PhD, Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Dept. of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences

-   KB Kulasekera, PhD, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Bioinformatics & Biostatistics