Active Research Grants
Peggy Barco, OTD, BSW, OTR/L, SCDCM, CDRS
Project Title: Sharing Knowledge: Older Drivers
Principal Investigator: Peggy Barco, OTD, BSW, OTR/L, SCDCM. CDRS
Funding Source: MODOT 23-DL-02-001
Project Period: 10/1/22-9/30/23
Total Award: $150,000
Project Title: Patient Engagement Intervention in Inpatient Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Principal Investigator: Alex Wong, PhD, DPhil, BSOT, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago d/b/a Shirley Ryan AbilityLab(SRAL)
OT Investigators: Peggy Barco, OTD, BSW, OTR/L, SCDCM, CDRS
Funding Source: 542448 Craig H. Neilsen Foundation’s Psychosocial Research (PSR) Grants
Project Period: 8/31/21-08/30/22
Total Award: $12,915
M. Carolyn Baum, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Project Title: Schultz Lifestyle Profile Series
Principal Investigator: M. Carolyn Baum, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Funding Source: Schultz Family Support Fund
Project Period: 5/09-present
Total Award: $354,675
Project Title: Multicenter Career Development Program for Physical and Occupational Therapy
Parent Grant Principal Investigator: Michael J. Mueller, PhD
Program Director/Executive Committee/Mentor: M. Carolyn Baum, PhD, OTR, FAOTA , Program in Occupational Therapy
Funding Source: K12HD055931 NIH/NICHD Multicenter Career Development Program For Physical and Occupational Therapy Comprehensive Opportunities in Rehabilitation Research Training (CORRT) Program
Project Period: 9/1/16-8/31/23
Erin Foster, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Project Title: Prospective memory impairment in Parkinson disease-related cognitive decline: Intervention and mechanisms
Principal Investigator: Erin Foster, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Funding Source: NIH/NIA R01AG065214
Project Period: 09/15/2020-05/31/2025
Total Award: $2,378,444
Project Goals: The long term goal of this research is to reduce disability, improve quality of life, and delay dementia onset among people with Parkinson disease (PD) by enabling them to cope with cognitive decline to maintain daily function. The primary objective of the current project is to determine the efficacy of a mechanistically-targeted strategy training intervention on prospective memory among people with PD-related mild cognitive impairment (PDMCI). It is a single-blind randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of strategy training to the traditional process training approach on objective laboratory prospective memory performance (Aim 1) and reported everyday prospective memory function (Aim 2). Additional objectives of the current project are to investigate neural mechanisms of prospective memory impairment in PD (Aim 3) and neural and behavioral predictors of prospective memory training response (Aim 4). This project leverages participants, data and infrastructure from an existing longitudinal cohort of PD and control participants to evaluate short-term and long-term training effects, neurobiological mechanisms, and predictors of treatment response.
Project Title: Brain Health Across the Metabolic Continuum in Youth at Risk for T2D
Principal Investigator: Tamara Hershey, PhD (WU)
OT Investigator: Erin Foster, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Funding Source: US NIH/NIDDK R01DK126826
Project Period: 9/11/21-6/30/26
Project Title: Understanding Engagement in Research, Clinical Care, and Community Services Among People of Color with Parkinson Disease
Principal Investigator(s): Erin Foster, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Funding Source: American Parkinson Disease Association
Project Period: 9/1/22-8/31/23
OT Total Award: $75,000
Project Goals: In this qualitative study, we will use a community and patient engaged research process with a socioecological perspective (working with the St. Louis APDA and other key community stakeholders) to understand the reasons for underrepresentation among Black and African American people with PD in research, clinical care, and community services in the St. Louis area.
Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP
Project Title: Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Academic Supports in Pediatric Asthma
OT Investigator: Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP, Clinical Research Scholar
Principal Investigator: Dominic Reeds, MD (WU)
Funding Source: NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) WU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) KL2TR002346 Career Development Award
Project Period: 03/01/2020-02/28/2023
Total Award: $297,264
Project Goals: Through a research-school partnership, the aims of this KL2 proposal seek to: 1) assess the reach and effectiveness of medicaland academic supports for youth with asthma in partner school districts using existing data, and 2) conduct a formative assessment to identify barriers and facilitators, existing processes, and implementation strategies influencing the implementation of these supports in partner school districts.
Project Title: Developing An Equity-Focused Understanding of School Health and Engagement: Building a Research-Practice Partnership
Principal Investigator: Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP
Funding Source: Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (WU ICTS) and the Institute of Public Health (IPH): Partnership Development & Sustainability Support (PDSS) Funding Program
Project Period: 6/1/22-3/31/23
OT Total Award: $10,000
Project Goals: Challenges connecting school and health data in meaningful ways limits schools’ ability to provide effective support. This proposal aims to (1) formalize a research-practice partnership with a partner school district, (2) identify stakeholder questions around the intersection of behavioral health and school processes in their community, and (3) map current data infrastructure and future needs to address stakeholder concerns.
Project Title: Leveraging mHealth to Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 in African American Communities
Principal Investigator: Donald Lynch, MD, University of Cincinnati
OT Investigator: Kelly Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP
Funding Source: Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC), Inc.
Project Period: 10/1/20-12/30/22
Total Subaward: $3938.00
Project Goals: The major goal of this project is to test the hypothesis that mHealth technology, introduced via faith-based communities, will serve as a feasible and acceptable platform to increase prevention of COVID-19 and improve access to critical diagnostic testing.
Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Principal Investigator(s): Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Funding Source: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Project Period: 5/1/22-4/30/23
OT Total Award: $24,424
Project Goal: The primary goal of this study is to determine the optimal time for developmental evaluation of children with SCD so that referrals can be successfully made to state-run EI when delays are detected. Aim 1: Assess knowledge of developmental delays and EI services among caregivers of children 6-48 months of age with SCD. Aim 2: Identify determinants influencing EI utilization among young children with SCD.
Principal Investigator(s): Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Funding Source: NIH CTSA UL1TR002345- WU ICTS, Clinical and Translational Research Funding Program (CTRFP)
Project Period: 03/01/2022-02/28/2023
OT Total Award: $78,750.00
Project Goals: The primary goal of the study is to quantify the use of Early Intervention among children with SCD and to understand the determinants (i.e., facilitators and barriers to program participation. AIM 1: Establish the proportion of children with SCD ≤5 years of age who have participated in developmental screening or therapeutic intervention (n=60). AIM 2: Describe the facilitators and barriers that contribute to caregiver participation in developmental screening and Early Intervention (n=15).
Project Title: Perinatal Arterial Stroke: A Multi-site RCT of Intensive Infant Rehabilitation (I-ACQUIRE) "Study"
Principal Investigator(s): Warren David Lo, M.D. and Sharon Landesman Ramey, PhD at the University of Cincinnati on behalf of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State Univ, dba Virgina Tech
WU Co-Principal Investigator: Alyssa E. Smith, M.D. Asst Professor of Neurology
OT Co-Principal Investigator: Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Funding Source: DHHS NIH U01NS106655
Project Period: 05/01/2021-01/31/2024
Project Goals: The I-ACQUIRE Trial is a rigorous, adequately powered, multi-site randomized controlled trial comparing 2 dosages of a pediatric rehabilitation - known as Infant ACQUIRE - to Usual and Customary treatment (U&CT). The specific aims are: 1) Primary: Determine the efficacy of I-ACQUIRE at 2 dosage levels compared to U&CT to increase upper extremity skills on the hemiparetic side (using a minimal clinically meaningful threshold that is achieved at end of treatment and 6 mos later); 2) Secondary: Determine the efficacy of I- ACQUIRE at 2 dosage levels compared to U&CT to improve use of the hemiparetic upper extremity as an “assisting hand” in bimanual activities; and 3) Exploratory: Explore the association between I-ACQUIRE treatment at Moderate and/or High Doses and the infant's gross motor development and cognition (i.e., potential cross-domain effects of treatment).
Principal Investigator: Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Funding Source: Washington University Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity (CRE2)
Project Period: 7/1/22-6/30/23
Total Award: $1000.00
Project Goals: This project is focused on developing a theoretical model for the field of occupational therapy. We found that occupational therapy has yet to develop a model that includes the impact of the provider themselves as a part of the equation. Our diverse team of leaders in occupational therapy and education is seeking to develop an innovative model for the field to address this gap.
Principal Investigator(s): Catherine Hoyt, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Funding Source: Missouri Foundation for Health
Project Period: 8/1/22-7/31/24
OT Total Award: $74,923
Project Goals: This project aims to generate change on various levels: a) for children with indicators of developmental delay during screening, the project will create a referral toolkit that includes a ready to submit “informal clinical opinion form” for EI to support their qualification for services; b) for EI leadership and FQHC staff, the project will raise awareness of racial disparities and challenges faced by families living with SCD and anticipate that these relationships will lead to further collaboration to enhance services for families with young children with SCD in the St. Louis region and more broadly in MO; c) at the organizational and system level, this project will implement a pilot screening and referral program that provides linkage between our community partners (EI and a local FQHC), identify strategies to address implementation barriers, and provide guidance on how to best help children qualify for EI services; d) at the policy level, the project will also gather meaningful information to generate change to expand EI eligibility criteria.
Project Title: Early Identification Of Developmental Delay Among Infants And Toddlers With Sickle Cell Disease
Principal Investigator(s): Catherine Hoyt
Funding Source: NIH/NHLBI K23HL161328
Project Period: 7/1/23-6/30/28
Total Award: $701,343.00
Project Goals: The goal of the proposed study is to determine the incidence and severity of developmental deficit at 9, 18 and 30 months of with sickle cell disease and test a 12-month, home-based caregiver intervention with this disproportionately affected population. Aim 1. Determine incidence and severity of developmental delay in children with SCD compared to peers (n=100). Aim 2. Evaluate effects of monthly caregiver driven intervention over 1 year for children with SCD (n=25). Aim 3. Identify contextual determinants (i.e., facilitators and barriers) related to implementing a home-based caregiver intervention.
Allison King, MD, PhD
Project Title: Sickle Cell Treatment Demonstration Program: Heartland/Southwest Sickle Cell Disease NetworkPrincipal Investigator: Allison King, MD, PhD
Funding Source: DHHS Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) U1EMC27865
Project Period: 09/01/2021-08/31/2026
Total Award: $4,500,000
Project Goals: The Heartland|Southwest Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Network, an established regional collaborative with representatives in Missouri (MO), Kansas (KS), Iowa (IA), Nebraska (NE), Arkansas (AR), Louisiana (LA), Oklahoma (OK) and Texas (TX), is uniquely suited and well-equipped to accomplish the SCD Treatment Demonstration Program’s (TDP) purpose of increasing access to quality, coordinated, comprehensive care for individuals with SCD by 1) increasing the number of clinicians and health professionals knowledgeable about the care of SCD, 2) improving the quality of care provided, and 3) improving care coordination. For over 10 years, Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) has led the regional collaborative to improve and expand patient and provider education, community awareness of SCD, quality improvement (QI) initiatives to increase the use of evidence-based guidelines, expansion of telemedicine and telementoring, and data collection for QI and intervention. We are committed to expanding these efforts, in collaboration with fellow TDP and Newborn Screening (NBS) Follow-up Program awardees, and the Hemoglobinopathies National Coordinating Center (NCC), to improve healthcare access and overall well-being of children and adults with SCD.
Project Title: A Phase I Trial of Familial Haploidentical Nonmyeloablative Bone Marrow Transplantation in Children
Principal Investigator: Shalini Shenoy, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)
OT Investigator: Allison King, MD, PhD
Funding Source: Children’s Discovery Institute (CDI)
Project Period: 2/1/16-1/31/23
Project Title: The Implementation of Cognitive Screening and Educational Support to Improve Outcomes of Adolescents and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: From Clinic to the Community and Back
Principal Investigator: Allison King, MD, PhD
Funding Source: U01HL133994 NIH - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Project Period: 8/5/16-6/30/23
Total Award: $4,321,826
Project Title: A Phase II Study of Cytokine Induced Memory-like (CIML) Natural Killer (NK) Cell Adoptive Therapy after Haploidentical Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Principal Investigator: Peter Westervelt, MD, PhD (WU)
OT Investigator: Allison King, MD, PhD
Funding Source: UG1HL138669 NIH
Project Period: 7/27/17-6/30/24
Project Title: Impact of Hearing Impairment on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Pediatric Cancer Survivors
Principal Investigator: Allison King, MD, PhD
Funding Source: Children’s Discovery Institute (CDI)
Project Period: 2/1/19-1/31/23
Total Award: $450,000
Project Title: (SCANS) Sickle Cell Anemia Neurodevelopmental Screening - Mentoring and Research in Patient Oriented Research
Principal Investigator: Allison King, MD, PhD
Funding Source: NIH/NHLBI K24HL148305
Project Period: 9/20/19-7/31/24
Total Award: $561,321
Project Goals: The specific aims of this proposal are to: 1) determine the barriers and facilitators of surveillance and screening of early childhood development of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) age 0-3 years, and 2) identify specific implementation strategies to address the barriers and facilitators to early childhood development screening. The results will inform the appropriate intervention to improve developmental screening in children with SCD.
Project Title: Sickle Cell Improvement: Enhancing Care in the Emergency Department (SCIENCE)
Principal Investigator: David Brousseau, MD, MS, Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)
OT Investigator: Allison King, MD, PhD
Funding Source: NIH/NHLBI U01HL159850
Project Period: 9/1/21-8/31/26
Total Subaward: $92,073
Project Title: Cure Sickle Cell Data Strategy Consortium: SCDIC-II Registry
Principal Investigator: Barbara L. Kroner, PhD, RTI International
OT Investigator: Allison King, MD, PhD
Funding Source: NIH/NHLBI OT3HL147798
Project Period: 8/1/22-7/31/25
Total Subaward: $416,673
Project Goals: To collect longitudinal data through patient surveys and medical record abstraction/extraction that will inform the natural history of sickle cell disease; to evaluate the collection of standardized core data that can be combined across other SCD studies to form a resource of de-identified data for use by qualified researchers; to provide a cohort of well-characterized patients that may be used as comparison groups for clinical trials or comparative effectiveness studies; and to conduct pilot studies that inform the collection of common data elements in SCD.
Kerri Morgan, PhD, OTR/L, ATP
Project Title: Wheelchair User Physical Activity Training Intervention to Enhance Cardiometabolic Health (WATCH): A Community-Based Randomized Control TrialPrincipal Investigator(s): Kerri Morgan, PhD, OTR/L, ATP
Funding Source: NIH/NICHD R01HD111022
Project Period: 2/1/23-1/31/28
Total Award: $2,721,542.00
Project Goals: Low levels of physical activity (PA) are common in Wheelchair users (WU) due to physical disability. WU are also at greater risk for obesity and cardiometabolic health-related diseases compared to the general population. This study proposes a hybrid I randomized controlled trial to test the cardiometabolic effects of a tailored intensity-controlled physical activity training (IPAT) intervention compared to education and access to a community-based accessible gym (EA). Aim #1: To compare the effectiveness of the IPAT to EA on cardiorespiratory fitness, vascular function, and body composition. Aim #2: To identify barriers and facilitators to WU engaging in PA at a community-based, accessible gym. Aim #3: To examine the mediators (e.g., self-efficacy) and moderators (e.g. age, race, duration of disability) of the expected intervention effect to understand differences in physiologic response.
Community Partner: Paraquad
Benjamin Philip, PhD
Project Title: Effects of Motor Imagery on Functional Recovery After Nerve Injury
Principal Investigator: Benjamin Philip, PhD
Funding Source: American Society of Neurorehabilitation (ASNR): Clinical Research Network
Project Period: 01/01/2020-01/01/2023
Total Award: $5,000
Project Goals: The goal of this project is to test whether motor imagery (imagined movement) can improve functional recovery of the hand following peripheral nerve injury (PNI) in the upper limb. The specific aim of this proposal is to determine whether motor imagery can improve recovery of hand function after PNI.
Project Title: Interhemispheric Communication and Compensation in Peripheral Nerve Injury
Principal Investigator: Benjamin Philip, PhD
Funding Source: NIH NINDS R01NS114046
Project Period: 12/15/20-11/30/25
Total Award: $2,114,436
Project Goals: Our short-term goal is to identify interhemispheric mechanisms that support left hand compensation (both performance and use), and determine whether the mechanisms arise from cortical asymmetry for movement (i.e. hand dominance). This will provide the foundation for our long-term goal to develop and target therapies to improve LH compensation for patients who face challenges to rehabilitation due to chronic RH impairment. Aim 1: Identify the interhemispheric mechanisms that support LH performance after RH injury. Aim 2: Identify the interhemispheric mechanisms that support increased usage of the LH after RH injury. Aim 3: Determine whether the interhemispheric mechanism arises from cortical asymmetry.
Project Title: Neuroimaging Predictors of Upper Limb Prosthesis Adoption
Principal Investigator: Benjamin Philip, PhD
Funding Source: Washington University Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR) Pilot Fund
Project Period: 10/7/21-10/6/23
Total Award: $8,190
Duana Russell-Thomas, OTD, OTR/L
Project Title: Regional Arthritis Center (RAC) - Greater St. Louis Region
Principal Investigator: Duana Russell-Thomas, MSOT, OTR/L
Funding Source: US MO DHSS
Project Period: 7/1/20-6/30/23
Total Award: $139,671
Jaclyn Schwartz, PhD, OTR/L
Project Title: Medication Adherence After Stroke
Principal Investigator: Jaclyn Schwartz, PhD, OTR/L
Funding Source: US NIH/NICHD R03HD097729
Project Period: 9/20/19-2/28/23
Total Award: $297,486
Project Goals: The overarching goal of the project is to better understand medication adherence in stroke survivors. Findings from this study will facilitate the development of an evidence-based theory-driven medication adherence intervention, which is anticipated to improve stroke survivors' health and well-being. Specifically, this exploratory study will describe medication adherence after stroke through two key comparisons. First, we will quantitatively and qualitatively compare the factors affecting medication adherence in 64 stroke survivors and 64 people with hypertension without disability (specific aim 1). Second, we will compare the adequacy of two theoretical models in predicting 64 stroke survivors' medication adherence (specific aim 2).
Project Title: Community Participation through Personalized Accessibility Information: The Access Ratings NextGen App
Principal Investigator: Roger O. Smith, PhD, OT, FAOTA, RESNA Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
OT Investigator: Jaclyn Schwartz, PhD, OTR/L
Funding Source: US NIDILRR 90IFDV0006
Project Period: 9/30/21-9/30/22
Total SubAward: $3,471.00
Susy Stark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Project Title: Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences -Hub Research Capacity Component- Integrating Special Populations (ISP) (Subproject)
Principal Investigator: William Powderly, MD (WU)
OT Investigator: Susy Stark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Sub Project Co-Lead
Funding Source: US NIH/NCATS UL1TR002345
Project Period: 3/01/22-2/28/27
Project Title: Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Clinical Translational Science Award Training Core
Principal Investigator: Jay Piccirillo, MD, FACS
OT Investigator: Susy Stark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, TL1 Associate Lead
Funding Source: US NIH/NCATS TL1TR002344
Project Period: 3/01/22-2/28/27
Project Title: COMPASS: A Novel Transition Program to Reduce Disability After Stroke
Principal Investigator: Susy Stark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Funding Source: R01HD092398 National Institutes of Health’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) and The National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR)
Project Period: 8/28/17-5/31/23
Total Award: $1,354,946
Project Title: Building Capacity to Improve Community Participation for People Aging with Long-Term Disability Through Evidence-Based Strategies
Principal Investigator: Susy Stark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
OT Investigators: Kerri Morgan, PhD, OTR/L, ATP, and Jessica Dashner, OTD, OTR/L
Funding Source: US DHHS NIDILRR 90DPCP0001
Project Period: 9/30/17-9/29/23
Total Award: $2,482,013
Project Title: FALLS: A Marker of Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease
Contact Principal Investigator: Susy Stark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Other Principal Investigator: Beau M. Ances, MD, PhD, MSc
Funding Source: NIH/NIA R01AG057680
Project Period: 8/15/18-4/30/23
Total Award: $3,420,575
Project Title: Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center/ Research Education Component
Principal Investigator: John C. Morris, MD
OT Investigator: Susy Stark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Funding Source: US NIH P30AG066444
Project Period: 05/15/20-04/30/25
Project Goals: The goal of the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center Research Education Component is to provide a one-stop training center for comprehensive Alzheimer disease and related dementias research training for individuals along the training pipeline, including underrepresented minorities, and the development of a team of well-trained, highly effective mentors.
Project Title: Successful Aging in Place: PACE and Washington University
Principal Investigator(s): Susy Stark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Co-Investigator(s): Stacy West-Bruce, OTD, MSW, OTR/L
Funding Source: Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (WU ICTS) and the Institute of Public Health (IPH): Partnership Development & Sustainability Support (PDSS) Funding Program
Project Period: 6/1/22-3/31/23
OT Total Award: $10,000
This partnership development award between the new New Horizons’ Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) (Dr. Williams) and the Stark Lab at Washington University (Drs. Stark and West-Bruce) aims to identify unmet needs among PACE participants. It will seek to test and develop innovative programming focused on reducing barriers in the community to promote successful aging in place.
This page is frequently updated.