Partner Grants

(Awarded in Conjunction with CANS Partner Organizations)

Tingting Zhao
University of Connecticut School of Nursing
ENRS-CANS Dissertation Grant Awardee, 2022

Integrative omics analysis of pain/stress impact on mitochondrial function/dysfunction and neurodevelopment in preterm infants
Preterm infants experience tremendous early life pain/stress during their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization, which impacts their neurodevelopmental outcomes. Mitochondrial function/dysfunction may interface between perinatal stress events and neurodevelopment. We conducted a prospective cohort study and found that mitochondrial function-related proteomic patterns and their biological functions mediated the association between early life pain/stress and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants. We concluded that buccal proteins might be used as clinical screening biomarkers to predict infants’ neurodevelopmental outcomes. Tailored individualized care, such as timely and efficient pain alleviation, skin integrity protection, and iron supplements, are necessary to promote neurodevelopment in preterm infants.

Elham Algashgari
Indiana University School of Nursing
MNRS-CANS Dissertation Grant Awardee, 2022

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living among Patients with Heart Failure: Testing a Theoretical Model
Among patients with heart failure, about 80% of Americans experience functional impairment and need assistance in performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). IADL are central to maintaining independent living, taking care of oneself, and having a satisfactory quality of life. Several explanatory variables, such as age, gender, heart failure severity, physical dysfunction, depressive symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction may influence IADL performance in heart failure. The overall purpose of this dissertation is to test a theoretical model of IADL in heart failure using secondary data analysis to characterize IADL performance and investigate the relationship between the explanatory variables and IADL performance. A secondary data analysis of 255 patients will be used to achieve the aims by using data from the parent study (MEMOIR-HF study, R01 NR016116; NCT 03035565, PI: SJ Pressler).

Melissa Fadipe
University of Texas Health Houston Cizik School of Nursing
SNRS-CANS Dissertation Grant Awardee, 2022

Online Group Neuro-Behavioral Therapy for Veterans with Epilepsy and Major Depressive Disorder
My dissertation study will address access issues for veterans with epilepsy and major depressive disorder (MDD) and the gaps that exist regarding the use of technology to address vulnerabilities prevalent in this population. The internet and mobile technology are important for healthcare delivery as it will be utilized to deliver neuro-behavioral therapy (NBT) that is based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles effective for MDD. This proposed study will use a pre/post-test design to examine the feasibility and acceptability of online, group NBT that uses text messaging intervention. The intervention will consist of 12 nurse-guided NBT sessions delivered in a group format NBT to veterans with epilepsy and MDD. Data on sociodemographic, feasibility (e.g., rates of enrollment, retention, attendance, and homework completion), acceptability (e.g., perceived usefulness, ease of use, and satisfaction), and secondary outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms, quality of life, self-efficacy, and psychological resilience) will be explored.

Stephanie Buxhoeveden
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing
Sigma-CANS Dissertation Grant Awardee, 2022

Exploring Biomarkers of Sex-Based Disparities in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects approximately one million people in the United States and is the leading cause of disability in young adults, but little is known about its etiology and underlying pathology. Females are at least three times more susceptible to MS, and males tend to have more severe disease, but the molecular underpinnings of these sex-based disease disparities are unknown and represent a critical knowledge gap. For my dissertation study that is in part funded by the CANS/SIGMA nursing grant, I am taking blood samples from male and female MS patients and healthy controls and looking for differences in messenger and micro RNAs, which are known to be capable of changing gene expression and causing chronic diseases, like MS. The goal of my current and future research is to narrow the phenotype of this complex disease and identify biomarkers that can more accurately diagnose MS, predict prognosis, and measure treatment response.

Karl Cristie Figuracion
University of Washington School of Nursing
WIN-CANS Dissertation Grant Awardee, 2022

Environmental Enrichment and Cerebral Atrophy Among Brain Tumor Survivors
After treatment, brain tumor survivors experience long-term neurological sequela that adversely impact function, well-being, and quality of life, with 25% to 80% of patients reporting mild to severe global cognitive impairment with multiple domains affected simultaneously. Along with progressive neurological impairment, they experience high rates of unemployment, reduction in income, and loss of social relationships. Studies indicate social support, physical activity, economic stability, and employment status, comprehensively known as environmental enrichment, have associated health benefits on well-being and quality of life in the general cancer survivor population. The purpose of my dissertation study is to explore behavioral and environmental factors associated with cerebral atrophy and cognitive impairment among brain tumor survivors treated with radiation with or without chemotherapy. The study will employ a retrospective cohort design among persons who received brain radiation at approximately 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

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