FDA turns to scientists at UNC to fill knowledge gaps in the opioid crisis
October 5, 2018
The FDA has commissioned a set of visionary studies to answer critical questions about the opioid crisis in the U.S. A four-year award of up to $6.6 million to UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Kentucky will ensure FDA’s readiness to evaluate innovative emerging technologies in pharmacology. Photo by Virginia Commonwealth University.
CDC awards $2M opioid research grant to UNC Injury Prevention Research Center
October 2, 2018
The CDC has awarded a three-year, $2 million research grant to UNC-Chapel Hill's Injury Prevention Research Center to support research on the prevention of opioid overdose. Dr. Shabbar Ranapurwala will lead the research. Photo by rawpixel.
New study finds gene variant predisposes people to Type 2 diabetes and also low body weight
October 2, 2018 A new study finds that a well-known gene variant linked to Type 2 diabetes also may predispose a person to being leaner or having a lower body weight. The findings are striking, as many individuals with Type 2 diabetes are obese. The work is one of the first examinations of the gene in a very large, representative sample of diverse Hispanics and Latinos. Photo courtesy of Rutgers School of Nursing.
MEASURE Evaluation awarded $35M+ to improve data and impact in fight against TB
September 30, 2018 USAID has awarded MEASURE Evaluation more than $35 million to strengthen tuberculosis data and knowledge sharing worldwide. Dr. Jim Thomas is principal investigator for the work. Photo by the Advocacy Project (Zimbabwe).
Schoenbach honored for contributions to epidemiology
September 26, 2018 On Sept. 25, Dr. Vic Schoenbach was awarded the American College of Epidemiology’s Abraham Lilienfeld Award for career-long achievement.
Gillings School researchers contribute to special issue of Journal of Interpersonal Violence
September 23, 2018 This fall, the Journal of Interpersonal Violence will publish a special issue, "Preventing violence: The role of public policies in preventing intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, and sexual violence." The issue features several articles by Gillings School researchers, including the commentary, "Leveraging Data to Strengthen Campus Sexual Assault Policies," published online Sept. 5. Photo by Ed Yourdon.
Lund leads PCORI-funded project to improve hybrid study designs
September 23, 2018 Dr. Jennifer Lund recently was awarded a $732,000 grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Lund serves as principal investigator for the project, "Enhancing hybrid study designs for comparative effectiveness research.” Photo by U.S. Army Africa.
Keil and Fry awarded NIH grant to study relationship of toxic metals in private wells with birth defects
September 13, 2018 Drs. Alexander Keil and Rebecca Fry are co-principal and principal investigators, respectively, for a new $1.4 million award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The researchers will examine the impact of environmental exposure to metals found in well water upon birth defects and will identify priorities for reducing well water exposures. Photo by Matthew Reid.
Aiello awarded NIH grant to study psychosocial exposures, epigenetic impacts on health
September 8, 2018 Dr. Allison Aiello has been awarded a five-year, $3.5 million National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities grant to investigate the influence of psychosocial experiences upon markers of health and disease for people in the U.S. Specifically, she and colleagues will examine the impact of psychosocial exposures upon people’s cardiometabolic and mental health.
Study demonstrates benefits among people living with HIV who inject drugs
September 5, 2018 Gillings School researchers are part of an international team reporting promising findings related to the prevention of HIV transmission among people who are HIV-positive and use injectable drugs and their partners. The key findings of HPTN 074, part of the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN), were published Aug. 30 in The Lancet.
