CTSI awards 12 new Translational Pilot Studies grants for 2025

Principal Investigator: Stephanie Anzman-Frasca, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Co-Investigators: Leonard H. Epstein, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Bridget K. Hughes, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Sarah J. Ventre, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Kameron J. Moding, PhD, Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Science, Purdue University

U.S. children’s diets are poor quality, with implications for the development of diet-related diseases, which have disproportionate impacts on racial and ethnic minority families and those living with low incomes. Experimental research highlights evidence-based approaches to encourage healthier food preferences and intake among young children, but there is some evidence that “gold standard” approaches, such as providing small, repeated taste exposures, do not work for all populations. The goal of this study is to identify food preference learning approaches for families with young children who are likely to need strategies beyond simple repeated exposure. This information will be used to select programs for a subsequent adaptive intervention study and develop tailored, user-friendly tools that clinicians can use to promote healthy food preferences for all children.

Translational science element: Developing generalizable solutions, e.g., accelerating the process through which food preference learning research is translated to improve health outcomes for all children.

Principal Investigator: Leslie J. Bisson, MD, June A. and Eugene R. Mindell, MD, Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Co-Investigators: Heidi N. Suffoletto, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Nomi S. Weiss-Laxer, PhD, MPH, MA, Research Assistant Professor, Departments of Orthopaedics and Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Gregory Wilding, PhD, Professor, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Health Professions; Laurene M. Tumiel-Berhalter, PhD, Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

There is a racial/ethnic gap in the U.S. in bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)/automated external defibrillator (AED) use. The goal of this project is to assemble a team and gather data to inform a large external grant to determine the optimal method(s) to deliver CPR/AED training in historically underserved communities. After forming a team and standardizing materials, investigators will pilot a CPR program and data collection at six events — three structured (e.g., school-based course) and three fluid (e.g., fair or festival) — to gather preliminary data on reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, time, and cost to use for future grant proposals.

Translational science element: Understanding how the reach and effectiveness of CPR/AED training differ according to delivery format and context would help inform treatment of out of hospital cardiac arrest as well as how to best deliver other healthcare interventions to community members.

Principal Investigator: Lora Cavuoto, PhD, Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Co-investigators: Huei-Yen (Winnie) Chen, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Xiaoyu Chen, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Peter C. Kim, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Surgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Steven D. Schwaitzberg, MD, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Surgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Jinjun Xiong, PhD, SUNY Empire Innovation Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Despite the increasing digitalization of surgery, the surgeon is still responsible for visual perception, interpretation, and decision-making, and errors can occur when the surgeon misses or misinterprets critical information in the surgical view. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems can be used to support surgeon decision-making. The objective of this study is to evaluate surgeons’ visual scanning behaviors during minimally invasive surgery; to quantify the impact of overlaid AI-generated information on surgeon performance and workload; and to support future investigation into the design of AI guidance systems and evaluation of the use of and reliance on AI guidance during the training of novice surgeons.

Translational science element: Addresses a translational gap between basic research (understanding visual perception and decision-making in surgery) and clinical application (designing AI systems to support surgeons), with the potential to impact patient care through training and improved surgical outcomes.

Principal Investigator: Thomas J. Covey, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Co-principal Investigator: Huei-Yen (Winnie) Chen, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Co-investigator: David W. Shucard, PhD, Professor, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Cognitive decline in older adults can impact the ability to drive safely. The cessation of driving in older adults can have a significant impact on autonomy of functioning and equitable access to healthcare in at-risk individuals, and is a major public health issue. It is important to identify the neurocognitive processes that are impacted by aging and investigate how these processes relate to declining driving performance in aging adults. This study will identify neural indices of cognitive functioning that are associated with declining driving performance, which can lead to better strategies for helping aging drivers maintain safe driving and functional autonomy. 

Translational science element: Addresses a unique, unmet need in the aging adult population, with potential to impact policy as well as develop solutions to overcome or mitigate barriers in maintaining safe driving and autonomy of functioning in aging adults experiencing cognitive decline.

Principal Investigator: Leonard H. Epstein, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Co-investigators: Jennifer L. Temple, PhD, Professor, Departments of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions; Dave Hostler, PhD, Professor, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Professions; Nicholas Neuwald, PhD, Post-doctoral Trainee, Departments of Pediatrics and Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Rocco A. Paluch, MA, Biostatistician, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Women with food insecurity are at 50% greater risk for becoming obese, even though they do not consume more calories, due to metabolic and behavioral factors resulting from unpredictable access to food, which may make weight loss more challenging. The goal of this study is to examine the effects of providing a personalized, stable, predictable, low carbohydrate, low glycemic index, high protein, low energy dense diet on changes in metabolic and behavioral factors that characterize low-income women with food insecurity who have obesity, using a novel stepped wedge design.

Translational science element: The work will not only provide pilot data for a future randomized, controlled trial but could also inform weight loss programs, associated clinical guidelines, and broader public health practices.

Principal Investigator: Michael Feigin, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center 

Co-investigators: Scott Abrams, PhD, Distinguished Professor, Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; Jianmin Wang, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Cancer impacts not just the tissue of origin, but the greater body and mind. Cancer therapies produce numerous side effects, inducing nausea, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy and insomnia. To combat these wide-ranging effects, cancer patients are prescribed a plethora of medications, including benzodiazepines (to address anxiety). There is strong epidemiological evidence that commonly prescribed drugs can impact cancer risk, tumor progression, and response to therapy. However, there are few experimental studies mechanistically linking these drugs to alterations in the tumor phenotype in physiologically relevant preclinical models. This study will examine how commonly prescribed anti-anxiety drugs alter the response to therapy in pancreatic cancer.

Translational science element: Study findings could reveal how anti-anxiety medication boosts tumor response to immunotherapy in cancer patients, potentially influencing clinical practice and cancer treatment strategies.

Principal Investigator: John C. Hu, MD, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and Staff Physician, VA WNY Healthcare System

Co-principal Investigators: Elsa Bou Ghanem, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Arthur Chan, PharmD, Research Pharmacy Program Manager, VA WNY Healthcare System; Kari A. Mergenhagen, PharmD, Associate Chief of Clinical Pharmacy, Infectious Diseases Program Manager, VA WNY Healthcare System

Efficient patient enrollment is a major barrier in clinical and translational research, particularly for time-sensitive conditions like pneumonia, a leading cause of death in older adults. To address this, investigators aim to develop a machine learning based tool that leverages clinical, environmental, and meteorological data to facilitate nuanced and real-time screening of outpatients diagnosed with pneumonia. This tool will notify clinical research coordinators through an automated system integrated into the electronic health record and quantify the confidence of a match to the current study, thereby directing recruitment efforts to high yield potential subjects in a rapid process.

Translational science element: The proposed enrollment tool could be generalized to other conditions and populations to address timely recruitment, as a common roadblock in clinical and translation research.

Principal Investigator: Liise K. Kayler, MD, MS, Department of Surgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Co-investigators: Thomas Feeley, PhD, Professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences; Ekaterina (Katia) Noyes, PhD, MPH, Department of Surgery and Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions; Renee Cadzow, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions; Laurene M. Tumiel-Berhalter, PhD, Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Live donor kidney transplantation is the best treatment for kidney failure, yet few candidates receive one, mostly because of reluctance to ask for kidney donation. Several evidence-based interventions have demonstrated ability to double live donor kidney transplantation by activating supportive others in donor outreach. However, intervention impact is low in low-income communities due to transportation and attendance issues. This project tests the feasibility and acceptability of KidneyTIME-2, a mobile live donor kidney transplantation access intervention for candidates and supportive others to activate widespread donor outreach. The goal is to expand access to kidney transplantation through high usage of an intervention that can be deployed in low-resource settings.

Translational science element: If successful, the mobile intervention could be generalized to other conditions and populations and help eliminate critical obstacles in both research and clinical practice.

Principal Investigator: Nandor Pinter, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, and Research Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences 

Co-investigators: Kinga Szigeti, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Leslie (Lei) Ying, PhD, Clifford C. Furnas Professor, Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Vincent M. Tutino, PhD, Assistant Professor, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in people over the age of 65. This project will use Magnetic Resonance Imaging to develop an imaging biomarker for amyloid-beta protein, which has central role in Alzheimer's. Recent phase III clinical trials demonstrated success in slowing disease progression in early Alzheimer’s disease by targeting and reducing amyloid burden of the brain, using monoclonal antibodies. The proposed technique could detect and measure the amount of amyloid in the brain, which would allow faster diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and could be used as real time therapy monitoring tool.

Translational science element: The ultimate aim of this work is to adapt the proposed imaging technique as an amyloid biomarker for use in both clinical trials and in clinical practice.

Principal Investigator: Xiaozhong Wen, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Co-investigators: Maciej Goniewicz, PhD, PharmD, Professor, Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; Sara Berkelhamer, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington; Nicholas Felicione, PhD, Assistant Professor, Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions; Faye E. Justicia-Linde, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Zhongzheng (Jason) Niu, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions; Rocco A. Paluch, MA, Biostatistician, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

The rapid rise in the use of nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, has occurred in the past decade, including increased use among pregnant individuals. Of U.S. pregnant mothers who use e-cigarettes, about two-thirds combine (or dual use) these products along with combustible cigarettes. There is a lack of evidence-based interventions to address the dual use of these tobacco products during pregnancy. This trial will recruit 45 mothers to develop and pilot test a cessation program for the dual use of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes during pregnancy. It will also examine the short-term effects of this cessation program on maternal and infant health.

Translational science element: Innovative approach used in the study has translational potential to advance scientific knowledge, inform public health policies, and influence practices in clinical and community settings.

Principal Investigator: Anna Woloszynska, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Co-investigators: Barbara Foster, PhD, Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; Spencer Rosario, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; Bo Xu, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

The molecular mechanisms underlying prostate cancer in African American men are not fully understood. Despite socioeconomic factors being accounted for, inherent biological differences contribute to poorer survival outcomes compared to European American men. This study aims to elucidate the role of androgen receptor-regulated DNA damage repair pathways and evaluate the potential of combining DNA repair inhibitors with hormone therapy for African American men whose prostate cancer recurs post-radiation therapy. In addition, the study will develop predictive molecular markers for clinical outcomes and will explore novel drug combinations involving PARP inhibitors and enzalutamide to inhibit prostate cancer growth in both cell cultures and live tissues.

Translational science element: Potential for preclinical rationales for using DNA repair inhibitors for African American prostate cancer patients could develop and refine treatment strategies to address the significant health disparity of higher prostate cancer recurrence rates in African American men.

Principal Investigator: Jungeun (Jenny) Won, PhD, Assistant Professor of Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Co-investigators: Chelsie E. Armbruster, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Michele M. Carr, MD, PhD, Clinical Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Otitis media is a prevalent infection in the middle ear and affects 80% of young children worldwide. While antibiotics are moderately effective, chronic and recurrent otitis media can cause temporary hearing loss, speech and language delays, and rare but potential life-threatening complications. This study aims to develop a new optical imaging device and methods for this middle ear infection. The advanced imaging tool will non-invasively reveal the tomography of the middle ear cavity located behind the eardrum, enabling rapid quantitative assessment of middle ear conditions in terms of middle ear fluid and bacterial biofilm, responsible for chronic and recurrent ear infections.

Translational science element: While the goal of the project is to develop a device specifically targeted for pediatric patients, testing its feasibility in adult healthy volunteers has the potential for its optimization and expand its use to other clinical populations and settings.