Investigator’s External Funding Awards
Please submit your external funding awards to RI-INBRE
2023
A record year! As of August 2023, six of our current and former investigators have earned five NIH awards!
- Dr. Matthew Bertin, University of Rhode Island
– Hands-on Education and Research for Biomedical and Analytical Learning (Herbal). URI Faculty Senate Committee for Research and Creative Activities, $10,000. 2023 - Dr. Deyu Li, University of Rhode Island, and Dr. Sarah Delaney, Brown University
– Etheno adductome and repair pathways. NIH NIGMS R01, $1,511,579. 2023-2027. - Dr. Samantha Meenach, University of Rhode Island
– ESTEEMED Scholars Program at the University Rhode Island. NIH R25, $1,142,104. 2023-2028. - Dr. Jyothi Menon, University of Rhode Island
– Multifunctional Nanoparticle Platform to Prevent Alcohol-Associated HCC Development. NIH NCI R37, $189,996. 2023-2028. Menon has the prestigious honor of being an inaugural cohort of the Biden Cancer Moonshot Scholars. - Dr. Seann Mulcahy, Providence College
– Harnessing Atropisomerism in beta-Carbolines for the Discovery of New Reactions and Small Molecule Probes. NIH R15, $407,325. 2023-2026. This is the first NIH R15 award within Providence College’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. - Dr. Kathryn Ramsey, University of Rhode Island
– Bacterial ribosome heterogeneity and gene expression. NIH NIGMS R35, $1,860,970. 2023-2028. This is the first R35 or “MIRA” (Maximizing Researchers’ Research Award) awarded at URI. - Dr. David Rowley, University of Rhode Island
– Hands-on Education and Research for Biomedical and Analytical Learning (HERBAL). NIH NCCIH R25, $1,337,865. 2023-2028
HERBAL is designed to enrich high school students (grades 9-12) science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and facilitates workshops to train teachers. An academic year laboratory accompanies utilizes game-based learning modules centered on molecules from medicinal plants and incorporates, followed by hands-on summer research at URI where student-generate data. As a partner, RI-INBRE’s Training Core Director Dr. Samantha Meenach is the Co-investigator and Dr. Christopher Hemme, Bioinformatics Core Director is working with Roy Bergstrom at URI ITL to develop Virtual Reality apps to train teachers in natural products and chemistry. Dr. Matthew Bertin, URI, created a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) app to separate compounds in a chemical mixture. - Dr. Ryan Poling-Skutvik, University of Rhode Island
– Self-Oscillating Nanoparticle Assemblies: A Novel Class of Active Materials. URI Faculty Senate Committee for Research and Creative Activities, $19,854. 2023 - Dr. Fang Wang, University of Rhode Island
– Novel Metal-Containing Drugs for Treating Resistant Cancers. URI Faculty Senate Committee for Research and Creative Activities, $19,989. 2023
2022
- Dr. Rezi Abiri, University of Rhode Island
– The adaptive rehabilitation for motor recovery in the upper limbs of stroke patients. RI Foundation Medical Research, $24,780. 2022 - Dr. Amit Basu, Brown University
– Model Systems for Studying Carbohydrate-Carbohydrate Interactions. NSF CHE, $450,000. 2022-2025 - Dr. Peter Belenky, Brown University
– Metagenomics and Metatranscriptomics to Profile Microbial Activity as a Determinant of Methane Production in Narragansett Bay Sediment. RI Science and Technology Advisory Council, Collaborative Research. $80,000. 2022 - Dr. Matthew Bertin, University of Rhode Island
– Shifting paradigms to emerging toxins in freshwater cyanobacterial blooms. NIH R21, $395,356. 2022-2024
– High-resolution time series for deciphering the Pseudo-nitzschia species and environmental drivers that produce domoic acid in Narragansett Bay. NOAA/RI Sea Grant, $249,998. 2022-2024 - Dr. Alexandra Deaconescu, Brown University
– Mechanisms and Macromolecular Interactions Underlying Cellular Responses to Stress Signals. NIH R35, $398,438. 2022-2027 - Dr. Brenton DeBoef, University of Rhode Island
– Graduate Research Fellowship Program. NSF GRFP, $539,979. 2022-2026 - Dr. Nicolas Lux Fawzi, Brown University
– Residue-by-residue details of FUS protein phase separation and aggregation. NIH NIGMS R01, $1,567,594. 2022-2026
– Helium Recovery Equipment: Securing Rhode Island and Southern New England NMR structural biology infrastructure. NSF Equipment, $322,300. 2022-2025 - Dr. Nisanne Ghonem, University of Rhode Island
– Treatment with treprostinil to regulate hemodynamics during renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. United Therapeutics Corporation, $175,523. 2022 - Dr. Lindsay Green-Gavrielidis, Salve Regina University
– Streamlining marine sensors development by improving testing infrastructure. Lead PI: V Craver, Co-PIs C Thornber, and L Maranda, URI. RI Science and Technology Advisory Council, $27,620. 2022 - Dr. Christopher Hemme, University of Rhode Island
– Cloud-Based Learning Module for Biomarker Discovery. NIH NIGMS, $52,194. 2022-2023 - Dr. Jyothi U. Menon, University of Rhode Island
– Nanoparticle-mediated targeting of hepatic macrophages to mitigate inflammation in alcoholic liver disease. NIH R21, $413,437. 2022-2024
– Targeting CHI3L1 and its Receptors in Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome-Associated Lung Disease. Brown University, $33,285. 2022 - Dr. Kathryn Ramsey, University of Rhode Island
– Investigating the role of ribosome heterogeneity in a bacterial pathogen. COBRE Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Therapeutic Discovery Pilot, $166,577. 2022-2023 - Dr. Daniel Roxbury, University of Rhode Island
– Multiplexed Wound Biomarker Detection with a Nanosensor Embedded Microfibrous Biomaterial. NSF EAGER, $200,000. 2022-2024 - Dr. David Rowley, University of Rhode Island
– Microbial solutions to improving larval resilience in shellfish hatcheries. National Institutes of Food and Agriculture/Department of Agriculture, $32,136. 2022 - Dr. Jie Shen, University of Rhode Island
– In Vitro Based Approaches to Evaluate the Bioequivalence of Locally-Acting Rectal and Vaginal Semi-Solid Drug Products. NIH U01, $1M. 2022-2026
– SUNOVION IVIVC Work. Sunovion, $11,403. 2022 - Dr. Angela Slitt, University of Rhode Island
– Shifting paradigms to emerging toxins in freshwater cyanobacterial blooms. NIH/DHHS, $21,800. 2022 - Dr. Tyler Stack, Providence College
– Characterization of Azoreductase Enzymes in the Human Gut Microbiome. RI Foundation Medical Research, $20,500. 2022 - Dr. Ami Vyas, University of Rhode Island
– Use of Rhode Island All-Payer Claims Database to Evaluate Rhode Island Women’s Breast Cancer Screening Compliance and Impact on Breast Cancer Diagnosis. RI DoH, $40,000. 2022 - Dr. Ashley Webb, Brown University
– Investigation of impaired neural stem cell activation in Alzheimer’s Disease. NIH NIAA R01, $401,100. 2022-2027 - Dr. Ying Zhang, University of Rhode Island
– Multi-scale modeling of bacterial plankton-mediated nutrient cycling in the Narragansett Bay. PI Dr. K Inomura, GSO. Co-PI Dr. K Zolotovsky, RI School of Design. RI Science and Technology Advisory Council, $79,995. 2022
2019 to 2021
- Dr. Amit Basu, Brown University and Dr. Bernard Munge, Salve Regina University
– Engineering Reliable and Affordable Tools for Environmentally- and Economically- Driven Aquatic Monitoring. Co-PIs: Rebecca Robinson and Jason Dwyer, University of Rhode Island. RI Science and Technology Advisory Council, $80,000. 2019) - Dr. Peter Belenky, Brown University
– Relating impacts of antibiotics on the gut metabolome and microbiome to host physiology and weight. NIH NIDDK R01, $1,533,828. 2020-2023
– Dietary Fiber to Mitigate Antibiotic-Induced Microbiome Dysbiosis: A Multi-Omics Approach. NIH R21, $446,875. 2019-2021 - Dr. Matthew Bertin, University of Rhode Island
– Development of unnarmicin D as a dual function mu-delta opioid agonist. RI Foundation, $24,633. 2021
– Evaluating Abundance and Persistence of the Neurotoxin Domoic Acid in Shellfish Following Pseudo-Nitzschia Bloom Events in Narragansett Bay, RI. RI Science and Technology Advisory Council, $79,415. 2021
– Toward the Smart Interconnected Bay – Artificially Intelligent Detection of Harmful Algal Blooms in Narragansett Bay, RI. Lead PI: Andrew Davies, University of Rhode Island. Co-PIs: K Bergen and B Fox-Kemper, Brown University, K Gomes, University of Rhode Island. RI Science and Technology Advisory Council, $39,971. 2021
– Determining biotic and abiotic drivers of domoic acid production by Pseudo-nitzschia strains in Narragansett Bay. RI Sea Grant, $249,990. 2020-2022
– How Bacteria Influences the Production of Domoic Acid. RI Sea Grant, $80,000. 2018-2020 - Dr. Christopher Burtner, Roger Williams University
– Aquaculture Biotechnology for the Enhancement of Live Feed Production. Food & Drug Administration NIFA Award $16,179. 2020-2021
– AI-coupled robotic life span analysis of aquatic rotifers. Impetus Grants, $220,021. 2021 - Dr. Jodi Camberg, University of Rhode Island
– Mechanism of toxin activation and function in bacteria. NSF EAGER, $288,550. 2021-2023
– Antibiotic tolerance by multidrug resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli during quiescence. NIH NIAID R21, $196,875. 2021-2023
– MRI: Acquisition of a Scanning/Transmission Electron Microscope for Materials Research and Education. Lead: A Bose; Co-PIs: B Lucht, J Menon, URI. NSF-MRI, $322,000. 2019-2022 - Dr. Maria Carroll, Providence College
– Influence of Redox Active Ligands on Substrate Selectivity of Iron Carbonyl Complexes in Electrocatalytic Reactions. American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund, $55,000. 2019-2021 - Dr. Brenton DeBoef, University of Rhode Island
– Graduate Research Fellowship Program. NSF DGE, $539,979. 2021-2026 - Dr. Joseph DeGiorgis, Providence College
– Study Nature, Not Books: Diving the Shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon: Exploring the Marine Life of an Unusual Artificial Reef. Marion & Jasper Whiting Foundation, $7,398. 2019-2020 - Dr. Sarah Delaney, Brown University
– DNA Base Excision Repair in Chromatin. NSF MCB, $1,231,440. 2021-2025 - Dr. Claudia Fallini, University of Rhode Island
– Defining the mechanisms and consequences of nuclear defects in ALS/FTD. NIH NINDS R01, $380,772. 2021-2026
– Investigating Cellular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in ALS. Roddy Foundation, $96,482. 2020-2021 - Dr. Nicolas Lux Fawzi, Brown University
– Functional and pathological interactions of TDP-43. Co-PI: J Mittal. NIH R01, $2,210,950. 2020-2025
– Structural aspects of glutamine-rich domain liquid-liquid phase separation in transcription and RNA processing. NSF CAREER, $913,703. 2019-2024 - Dr. Marta Gomez-Chiarri, University of Rhode Island
– High levels of micro-plastics in the marine environment. RI Sea Grant. 2020-2021
– Side Effects of Breeding Disease-Tolerant Oysters. RI Sea Grant. 2020-2021
– Coupling physical and ecological models to understand how climate drives disease outbreaks in Narragansett Bay. Co-PIs: T Ben-Horn and S Menden-Deuer, URI; B Fox-Kemper, Brown; R Smolowitz, RWU; E Schneider, RI DEM. RI Science & Technology Advisory Council, $80,000. 2019 - Dr. Niall Howlett, University of Rhode Island
– Chromatin State Alterations in Fanconi Anemia Hematologic Disease and Bone Marrow Failure. NIH R01, $462,666. 2020-2024
– MARC U*STAR Training Program. NIH, $1,288,597. 2019-2024 - Dr. Karla Kaun, Brown University
– Whole-Brain Mapping of Opiate-Sensitive Circuits in Drosophila. NIH R21, $434,804. 2019-2021 - Dr. Jiyeon Kim, University of Rhode Island
-Multimodal Single Entity Electrochemistry at Nanoscale Liquid/Liquid Interfaces. NSF CHE Career Award, $607,500. 2021-2026). Dr. Kim was awarded a RI-INBRE 2-year Early Career Development award on May 1, 2020, and her receipt of the NSF award exemplifies early graduation from the RI-INBRE program - Dr. Anabela Maia, Rhode Island College
– A species-specific approach to enhance ecosystem models of piscivorous fishes. Co-PI C Suckling, URI. RI Science & Technology Advisory Council, $80,000, Dr. Maia’s portion $4,570. 2020-2021 - Dr. Thomas Malloy, Rhode Island College
– Listening in Dyads: Bias, Accuracy and Meta-Accuracy. U.S. Israel Binational Science Foundation, $150,000. 2019-2023 - Dr. Kunal Mankodiya, University of Rhode Island
– Smart Gloves for Remote Clinical Assessments and Treatment Monitoring. NSF IPP Start PFI-TT, $265,977. 2019-2021 - Dr. Kunal Mankodiya and Dr. Yalda Shahriari, University of Rhode Island
– Towards a multimodal smart textile medical monitoring system for Neonatal ICUs IIS Smart and Connected Health. NSF EAGER, $299,998. 2021-2023 - Dr. Jyothi Menon, University of Rhode Island
– Targeting CHI3L1 and its Receptors in Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome-Associated Lung Disease. Brown University, $32,243. 2021
– Growing New Organs: Tissue Engineering Technologies for Hands-on Learning and Research. Champlin Foundation, $185,000. 2020-2021 - Dr. Seann Mulcahy, Providence College
– Asymmetric Synthesis of Atropisomeric beta-Carbolines. NSF, $239,000. 2020-2023
– Acquisition of a 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectrometer for a Cluster of Primarily Undergraduate Institutions in Rhode Island. Lead: S Mulcahy; Co-PIs: C Laperie, C Reid, M Carroll, C Leung. NSF MRI, $288,300. 2019-2022 - Dr. Larissa Patterson, Rhode Island College
– Genetic Basis of Zebrafish Embryonic Melanoctye Migration and Pattern Formation. RI Foundation, $23,986. 2019-2020 - Dr. Matthew Ramsey, University of Rhode Island
– Mechanisms underlying spatial interaction in the oral microbiota. NIH R01, $1,915,965. 2019-2024 - Dr. Christopher Reid, Bryant University
– Chemical probes for studying peptidoglycan metabolism. NSF RUI, $296,275. 2020-2023
This is Bryant University’s first independent grant award from the NSF! - Dr. Daniel Roxbury, University of Rhode Island
– Spectral imaging for sub-cellular nanometrology and nanotoxicology. NSF Career, $500,000. 2019-2022 - Dr. Kristin Scaplen, Bryant University
– Neural Circuitry Mechanisms Underlying Maladaptive Reward Memories in Drosophila. RI Foundation Medical Research Fund, $25,000. 2021-2023 - Dr. Yalda Shahriari, University of Rhode Island
– Understanding the Functional Neural Dynamics Underpinning Auditory Processing Dysfunctions through a Multiscale Recording-Stimulation Framework. NSF NCS-FO: SOUND Award, $499,888. 2020-2023
– A Graph-Based Data Fusion Framework Towards Guiding A Hybrid Brain-Computer Interface. NSF IIS, $309,846. 2020-2023
– A Hybrid Brain-Computer Interface for Long-Term Use by Persons with Severe Motor Deficit: Towards Development of Personalized Algorithms. NSF CBET, $249,634. 2019-2022 - Dr. Jie Shen, University of Rhode Island
– Development of Suitable “Bio-Relevant” in Vitro Release Testing Method(s) for Apomorphine Sublingual Thin Films. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, $30,034. 2021
– Development of Accelerated Dissolution/in Vitro Release Methods for Lyndra’s Long-Acting Dosage Forms. Lyndra Therapeutics, $4,680. 2022
– Bioequivalence Considerations of Topical Rectal and Vaginal Products. Food and Drug Administration, $250,000. 2019-2022
– A Continuous Manufacturing Platform for Complex Dosage Forms. University of Connecticut STORRS, $432,827 2019-2020 - Dr. Jayson Spas, Rhode Island College
– Biobehavioral regulation to extinguish smoking while treating another health risk. NIH R15, $343,188. 2019-2022 - Dr. Mary Sullivan, University of Rhode island
– Allostatic Load & Epigenetic Mechanisms in Lifecourse Trajectories of Premature Infants at Age 30. NIH NINR R01, $522,475. 2019-2024 - Dr. Anika Toorie, Rhode Island College
– Examination of Neuronal and Hepatic Sirtuin 1 in Cellular Mechanisms of Energy Dyshomeostasis. RI Foundation, $25,000. 2020-2021 - Dr. Jamie Towle-Weicksel, Rhode Island College
– Uncovering the Mechanistic Role of DNA Pol Theta in UV-Damage Repair. NIH NIGMS R15, $391,569. 2021-2024 - Dr. Ami Vyas, University of Rhode Island
– Are We ‘Choosing Wisely’ And Improving Value in Cancer Care? Advance-CTR, $57,933. 2020-2021
– Use of Rhode Island-All Payer Claims Database to Evaluate Rhode Island Women’s Breast Cancer Screening Compliance and Impact on Breast Cancer Diagnosis. RI DoH, $33,000. 2019-2020) - Dr. Ashley Webb, Brown University
– A new model system to study brain aging and neurodegeneration. NIH NIAA R21, $436,854. 2020-2023
– Pioneer transcription factors in aging and neurodegeneration. NIH NIAA R01, $905,384. 2021-2026 - Dr. Xuerong Wen, University of Rhode Island
– Neonatal Neurodevelopment and Maternal Outcomes in Pregnancy with Opioid Exposure. NIH R15, $435,491. 2019-2022 - Dr. Ying Zhang, University of Rhode Island
– Visualization of Host-Microbe Interactions using CLASI-FISH. NSF RII Track-4, $260,997. 2020-2022
– Understanding memory in neuronal networks through a brain-inspired spin-based artificial intelligence. NSF MEMONET, $399,550. 2019-2021
– Investigation of Nanoscale Radiative Heat Transfer for Enhanced Thermal Infrared Energy Conversion & Cooling. NSF CAREER, $503,293. 2019-2024 - Dr. Ying Zhang, University of Rhode Island, and Dr. Peter Belenky, Brown University
– Pathways to the Modeling of Microbial Ecology in the Narragansett Bay Through Deep Omics Sequencing. RI Science and Technology Advisory Council, Collaborative Research, $80,000. 2020