Faculty Grant Activity

Here is a list of the grants that fund research projects on which our faculty are currently working.

Lara A. Boyd (PI)
Recovery from Stroke: What is the role of the undamaged, contralesional cortex?
Purpose: To compare two clinical interventions in shifting the patterns of cortical activity in sub-acute stroke.
American Heart Association, Scientist Development Grant
Funded 01/2005-12/2008

Lara A. Boyd (Co-I)
The effect of aerobic exercise on executive function for cognitive and motor tasks in individuals with chronic stroke
Purpose: To determine the effect of cardiovascular exercise on cognitive and motor tasks in individuals with stroke.
American Heart Association, Scientist Development Grant
Funded 01/2005-12/2008

Lisa Stehno-Bittel (Co-I)
Impact of Exercise on Parkinson’s Disease Therapy
The purpose of the grant is to determine the impact of endurance aerobic exercise on the drug efficacy on a chronic mouse model of Parkinsons Disease. Neurological changes in response to exercise are being monitored as well as behavioral and functional improvements. We are completing EMG studies characterizing the tone in the PD model, as well as microscopy analysis of changes in the brain.
NIH/NICHHD
Funded 05/2003-04/2008

Lisa Stehno-Bittel (Mentor)
Diabetes SMC changes reversed by islet transplants
This grant explores the ability of islet transplants to reverse the smooth muscle cell pathology associated with type 1 diabetes. Specifically, we are examining the change in calcium regulatory protein and in proteins responsible for proliferation of smooth muscle cells.
NIH/NHLBI
Funded 04/2004-03/2008

Irina V. Smirnova (PI)
Can a drug replace exercise to improve the diabetic heart?
Purpose: The major goal of this project is to examine the effects of a protein kinase C inhibitor on diabetic heart and compare to those influenced by exercise.
American Heart Association, Scientist Development Grant
Funded 01/2004-12/2007

Lisa Stehno-Bittel (Co-I)
Mechanism and Therapy of SHIV Encephalitis in Macaques
This grant will explore the role of PDGF in virus replication in macaque macrophage cultures and will also assess the role of IP-10 in neuronal dysfunction/death associated with SHIV-encephalitis. Delivery of liposomes carrying antisense DNA plasmids will be first optimized in macaque macrophage cell cultures followed by delivery and biodistribution in small animals such as rats. These studies will then form the basis for antisense delivery in infected macaques to interdict the disease process.
NIH/NIMH
Funded 07/2003-06/2007

Irina V. Smirnova (PI)
Proteomic approach to study diabetic heart protein posttranslational modification
Purpose: The major goal of this proposal is to identify cardiac muscle proteins undergoing enhanced acetylation in type I animal model of diabetes.
NIH COBRE in Protein Structure and Function
Funded 05/2005-06/2007

Patricia S. Pohl (PI)
Cost of Conversation After Stroke
Purpose: To determine the relationship between site of brain damage after stroke and dual task performance.
American Heart Association - Heartland Affiliate
Funded 07/2005-06/2007

Lisa Stehno-Bittel (PI)
Subcutaneous Islet Transplants for Type 1 Diabetes
This project is based on previous observations that smaller islets are superior to large ones for transplantation into the liver and kidney capsule. The goals of the project are to utilize small islets (< 125 mm) to attempt subcutaneous transplants in rats with type 1 diabetes.
Rosebud Diabetes Research Foundation
Funded 07/2005-06/2007

Irina V. Smirnova (Co-I)
ICAM-1 Targeted Nanoparticles for In Vivo, VEGF-Induced Angiogenesis
Purpose: To investigate strategies using nanoparticles and magnetic resoinance imaging for targeted delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to wound sites and sites experiencing reduced blood flow in animal model of type I diabetes.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Funded 01/2006-12/2006

Patricia Kluding (PI)
The Effect of Diabetes on the Benefits of Exercise after Stroke This clinical research project will examine whether the presence of Type II diabetes mellitus attenuates the benefits of aerobic and strengthening exercise for people with chronic stroke. US Department of Education, NIDRR Research Fellowship
Funded: 1/2006-12/2006

Lisa Stehno-Bittel (Co-I)
Islet Transplantation for Type 1 Diabetes
This collaborative initiative investigates the different mechanisms for islet isolation in producing successful islet transplants and in looking for the long-term effects of the islet transplants. Our role in this project is to identify genetic and functional markers in islet cells that correlate with successful transplants.
Hall Foundation
Funded 01/2003-12/2006

Yvonne Searls (PI)
The Therapeutic Effects of Yoga in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease
Purpose: To determine the impact of yoga on physical function, physiological parameters and psychological effects in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
School of Allied Health Grant
Funded 09/2005-08/2006

Wen Liu (PI)
Development of a robot-aided motor training with enhanced sensory inputs for stroke rehabilitation.
National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Bioengineering & Environ Systems (BES-0302466),
Funded 07/2003-07/2006

Patricia Kluding (PI)
Foot Posture in People with Hemiplegia after Stroke.
This project will attempt to quantify pathological foot postures and explore the relationships between foot posture and function in people with hemiplegia following a stroke. School of Allied Health Research Committee, University of Kansas Medical Center
Funded: 8/2005 – 7/2006

Lara A. Boyd (PI)
Shared Equipment Grant for a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator
Purpose: To purchase a transcranial magnetic stimulator for shared use among investigators.
Research Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center
Funded 01/2005-12/2005

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