Fostering research in a collaborative environment
One of the top research universities in the state, the VCU College of Health Professions cultivates transformational research and innovation through collaborative partnerships, the university and with external stakeholders. Our efforts promote teaching and community engagement that impact health care delivery and health outcomes across Virginia and beyond.
- Launching Excellence in Virtual Reality (LEVR) Center
- Motor Control Lab
- The Novel Environments for Reducing Disability & Dysfunction (NERDD) Lab
- Sensorimotor Performance and Rehabilitation Engineering Lab (SPRE lab)
- Sensory Processing and Stress Evaluation Lab
- Brain Health Lab
- Ageism and Elderhood Lab
- Abuse in Later Life Lab
- Virginia Center on Aging
Explore CHP Research. View faculty publications and grants by department.
Active Awards
Home and Community-based Services Capacity Building (1/1/24 - 9/30/24)
Principal Investigator: Gigi Amateau, MS, PhD
Funding Agency: Senior Connections
This project will develop curriculum, support programs, and trainings for family caregivers and long-term services and support providers for older adults.
Development of a Trauma-informed Care: Resilience and Well-Being Toolkit for Nursing Facilities (10/29/21 - 06/30/24)
Principal Investigator: Tracey Gendron, PhD
Funding Agency: Virginia Department for Medical Assistance
Through this project we plan to develop the content for a stakeholder designed Trauma-informed Care: Resilience and Well-being Toolkit created with nursing facility provider input using the community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) approach. We plan to design and build the final toolkit as an accessible, user-friendly digital product that will contain various best-practice resources and tools that users can download and apply to their communities.
Developing a palliative care pathway: An Innovative standard of care for people living with dementia and their care team (7/1/2023 - 6/30/2026)
Principal Investigator: Jenny Inker, MBA, MS, PhD, LALFA
Funding Agency: Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging and Lifelong Health
VCU will provide data evaluation to support the work of the Project, including analysis, and dissemination of research data related to the Project.
Statewide Gerontology, Individual Service and other Adult provider trainings LIC-22-007 Mod 3 (09/09/21 - 06/30/24)
Principal Investigator: E. Ayn Welleford MS, PhD
Funding Agency: Virginia Department of Social Services
The primary goals of this study are:
- Centralize and maintain a database for medication management trainees and instructors, to provide certificates to those who successfully complete the medication management training program.
- Create, maintain and facilitate medication-related management training curricula.
- Monitor and maintain a database for ISP trainees and instructors, to provide certificates to those who successfully complete the ISP training program.
- Provide maintenance and distribute medication management training curricula.
- Develop curricula and plan, coordinate, and oversee training to licensed adult care providers.
VCU Richmond Brain Health Collaborative (09/01/21 - 08/31/24)
Principal Investigator: Faika Zanjani, PhD
Funding Agency: Administration for Community Living/DHHS
This study proposes to improve ADRD care access to low income, majority African American/Black older adults, through working in the Richmond, VA area (RVA), where integrated ADRD care system enhancements are needed. To address RVA ADRD health equity, at the Virginia Commonwealth University Health (VCUH) we aim to improve ADRD care and prevention through implementing an ADRD: navigator, prevention lifestyle coaching, and caregiver support services.
Measuring the Impact of the Value Flower and Unobserved Heterogeneity on the Cost Effectiveness and Use of Novel Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (6/15/23 - 5/31/28)
Principal Investigator: Adam Atherly, PhD
Funding Agency: National Institute on Aging/NIH DHHS
This project will use a combination of Markov models, stated preference data and econometric models of treatment take-up to calculate the costs, benefits, societal value and health equity impacts of novel treatments or Alzheimer disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias.
Central Virginia VA health Care System (CVHCS) McGuire VA Medical (11/01/23 - 12/31/24)
Principal Investigator: Laura McClelland, PhD
Funding Agency: McGuire VA Medical Center
The purpose of this contract is to improve employee engagement and instilling the values of kindness and compassion at Central Virginia VA Health Care (CVHCS) System, and support any resulting research projects. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Department of Health Administration will benefit from this assignment by gaining a better understanding of how to support health care employees in the current health care environment.
NC Medicaid 1115 Waiver Evaluation Implementation (07/01/21 - 12/31/26)
Principal Investigator: Paula Song, PhD
Funding Agency: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill / NC Department of Health and Human Services
Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation 2023 Scholarship Grant (10/1/23 - 09/30/24)
Principal Investigator: Melissa Jamerson, PhD, MLS(ASCP)
Funding Agency: Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation
The 2023 CTF Scholarship Grant is being awarded to accredited institutions of post-secondary higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia to help finance tuition and other program related costs for students enrolled in medical laboratory science.
Immunohematology Student laboratory Session Funding (03/1/23 - 04/01/24)
Principal Investigator: Melissa Jamerson, PhD, MLS(ASCP)
Funding Agency: Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation
The purpose of this funding is to assist the MLS department with weekly blood banking laboratory sessions which are instrumental in training our students. Providing adequate training will result in students being better prepared to work in blood banking laboratories throughout Virginia. This will allow laboratories to spend less time training new hires and the sufficient training ensure MLS graduates are proficient in performing tests and interpreting results. This would lead to accurate testing and reporting of patient results throughout Virginia.
Association of Public Health Laboratories Contractual Agreement with Virginia Commonwealth - APHL 56300-250-911-24-18: Scholarships for Medical Laboratory Science Students (12/1/23 - 6/30/24)
Principal Investigator: Melissa Jamerson, PhD, MLS(ASCP)
Funding Agency: Association of Public Health Laboratories
The purpose of this contract is to distribute scholarship funds to selected students in the Medical Laboratory Science Graduate program. Development of scholarship programs for MLS graduate students enrolled in PHLS (Public Health Laboratory Sciences) concentration. Priority targets are the students in the under-served populations. Student selection criteria will include requirements to be employed at a public health laboratory or a participant in APHL Fellowship program after completing a degree.
Nurse Anesthesia Traineeship (07/1/23 - 06/30/24)
Principal Investigator: Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA
Funding Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration/DHHS
The proposed project and related activities will promote the achievement of all four goals of the NAT program:
- increase the supply of qualified working CRNAs by providing traineeship support;
- promote the achievement of diversifying the CRNA workforce;
- provide opportunities to students the opportunity to participate in the anesthetic care of a diverse patient population;
- expand distribution and access of CRNAs in underserved communities.
Creating an Open Education Resource regarding Crisis Resource Management for Nurse Anesthesia Students and Medical Students (07/01/21 06/30/24)
Principal Investigator: Jiale (Gary) Hu, PhD, RN, FAAN
Funding Agency: Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA)
The purpose of this contract is to create an open education resource regarding crisis resource management for nurse anesthesia students and medical students. Given that there is no OER regarding CRM in the settings of anesthesia or other clinical care, there is a need for a comprehensive and high-quality OER. The OER will replace the textbooks used in the departments of nurse anesthesia and anesthesiology at the VCU, ODU, and WVU.
Predictive ability of early somatosensory processing in preterm children on later motor development (05/01/23 - 4/30/28)
Principal Investigator: Virginia W. Chu, PhD, OTR/L
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development/NIH/DHSS
This study aims to investigate the predictive relationship between somatosensory processing deficits during early childhood in preterm children, and later motor development. Better understanding of the relationship between somatosensory deficits and motor development will allow us to identify children who experience these difficulties before they show significant motor delays and to develop tailored interventions for them.
A novel method of quantifying lateralized fine motor impairment in Parkinson's Disease (11/1/23 - 4/30/24)
Principal Investigator: Brooke Dexheimer, PhD, OTD, OTR/L
Funding Agency: Shirley Ryan Ability Lab/ National Institutes of Health
This pilot study will result in an established paradigm to quantify lateralized fine motor deficits in early-stage PD. Preliminary data will be used for a larger external grant application to quantify PD motor symptom severity, disease progression, and subsequent functional impairments. Our long-term goal is to inform targeted, evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for PD that are tailored to lateralized aspects of motor deficits.
Improving Access to Community-Based Occupations via a Rideshare Training Program (3/1/24 - 2/28/25)
Principal Investigator: Stacey Reynolds, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Funding Agency: Organization for Autism Research
This project will evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative training program which teaches and supports adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities how to access their communities safely using Rideshare services (e.g., Uber, Lyft). Our aims are to
- conduct an effectiveness-implementation waitlist-controlled trial using our Safe Rideshare Program (SRP) and
- evaluate the impact of the SRP on community engagement, social participation, and employment over a 3-month period.
Our long-term goal is for this training program to be implemented nationwide as a means of solving transportation barriers for the autistic population.
Spiritual Care Services in Pediatric Hospitals and Cancer Centers (06/01/23 - 05/31/25)
Principal Investigator: Kelsey B. White, PhD, BCC
Funding Agency: Rush University
The study aims to describe how spiritual care services are structured in these hospitals and centers – such as department size, scope of services, clinical responsibilities, strategies for staff support, and how departments utilize standardized protocols.
Spiritual Care Services in Acute Care Hospitals (05/01/23 - 04/30/25)
Principal Investigator: Kelsey B. White, PhD, BCC
Funding Agency: Rush University
The study aims to describe how spiritual care services are structured in these hospitals and centers – such as department size, scope of services, clinical responsibilities, strategies for staff support, and how departments utilize standardized protocols. The study will begin with the development of a meaningful and purposeful sample of the most common type of hospitals: adult acute care hospitals.
Optimizing gait rehabilitation for Veterans with non-traumatic lower limb amputation (5/1/2023 - 4/30/2025)
Principal Investigator: Tanu Bhargava, PhD Student
Funding Agency: McGuire VA Medical Center
The primary aim of this study is to assess the efficacy for two forms of error manipulation intervention (error-augmentation or error-correction) targeting improved gait pattern symmetry for Veterans with non-traumatic lower limb amputation (LLA). The secondary aim is to assess if the error-manipulation gait interventions have a signal of efficacy for improved secondary measures of physical function and disability for Veterans with non-traumatic LLA.
General Movement Optimality Score as a Biomarker in Early Detection of Neurodevelopmental Disability in Extremely Preterm Infants (9/1/23 - 8/31/24)
Principal Investigator: Shaaron Brown, PT, DPT
Funding Agency: American Physical Therapy Association
This purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between term age optimality score and neurodevelopmental outcomes at three and 12 months of adjusted age by performing a secondary data analysis using videos and data from the SPEEDI intervention trial.
Exploring the impact of microprocessor-controlled knees on prosthesis awareness and overall health (07/01/22 - 06/30/25)
Principal Investigator: Benjamin J. Darter, PT, PhD
Funding Agency: Department of Defense
Prosthesis awareness represents the degree to which a person thinks about or pays attention to their prosthesis during activity. As no measure currently assesses this functional ability, our goal is to develop a measure of prosthesis awareness so clinicians can understand the walking ability of service members and Veterans with limb loss more completely. This measure of prosthesis awareness will consist of a brief set of questions appropriate for use as a survey in clinical care or in research studies.
Comparing the attentional demands and functional outcomes of pattern recognition and direct myoelectric control in people with transradial amputation (09/25/23 - 09/24/27)
Principal Investigator: Benjamin J. Darter, PT, PhD
Funding Agency: Department of Defense
The specific aims of this study are
- SA1: Evaluate the attentional demands and function associated with using an upper limb prosthesis operated by multi-site PRC relative to using the prosthesis operated by two-site DC;
- SA2: Identify demographic or health factors that predict response to PRC in order to determine which patients will be appropriate for and/or benefit most from the control strategy;
- SA3: Finalize development of a condition-specific, patient-report measure of upper limb prosthetic attention to supplement existing generic ratings of perceived attention that require co-administration of a performance-based functional test.
Optimizing gait rehabilitation for Veterans with non-traumatic lower limb amputation (05/01/23 - 04/30/25)
Principal Investigator: Benjamin J. Darter, PT, PhD
Funding Agency: McGuire VA Medical Center
The primary aim of this study is to assess the efficacy for two forms of error manipulation intervention (error-augmentation or error-correction) targeting improved gait pattern symmetry for Veterans with non-traumatic lower limb amputation (LLA). The secondary aim is to assess if the error-manipulation gait interventions have a signal of efficacy for improved secondary measures of physical function and disability for Veterans with non-traumatic LLA.
iTREAT - Improved Treatment using Advanced Technologies (07/1/23 - 06/30/25)
Principal Investigator: Peter Pidcoe, PT, DPT, PhD
Funding Agency: Commonwealth Health Research Board
The purpose of this proposal is to implement a non-intrusive, easily deployed, scalable system that uses wireless sensing to produce an accurate measure of therapeutic rehabilitation dose for patients who have suffered a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA or stroke). Since structured intensity plays a key role in recovery, the accurate assessment of rehabilitation dose is needed to infer its relationship to outcome and drive future practice patterns. This system will be deployed in three Richmond clinical sites to assess efficacy and validity.
Social Determinants and Timelines of Total Knee Replacement: A National Perspective (3/19/21 - 10/31/25)
Principal Investigator: Daniel Riddle, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Funding Agency: Subaward w/ Northeastern University/ National Institutes of Health
This project efficiently uses a large national registry of total knee replacement (TKR) patients to estimate prevalence of premature use and appropriate use of TKR, and understand the social determinants affecting its utilization. In doing so, we aim to provide new insights that will be useful for ACOs and large health systems aiming to optimize timing of healthcare utilization for their members.
The SCEPTER Trial (6/1/19 - 6/30/24)
Principal Investigator: Daniel Riddle, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Funding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
The purpose of this contract is to develop the "Enhanced Physical Therapy" treatment manual and the fidelity checklist. Specific tasks include identify or making videos/photos needed to train physical therapists at participating sites; incorporate the exercise and activity components of PainEASE into an exercise program; complete the Enhanced Physical Therapy treatment manual; work with the study team to create a fidelity checklist based on the manual and develop study procedures related to Enhanced Physical Therapy.
Optimizing gait rehabilitation for Veterans with non-traumatic lower limb amputation (5/1/23 - 4/30/25)
Principal Investigator: Edward Syrett, PhD Student
Funding Agency: McGuire VA Medical Center
The primary aim of this study is to assess the efficacy for two forms of error manipulation intervention (error-augmentation or error-correction) targeting improved gait pattern symmetry for Veterans with non-traumatic lower limb amputation (LLA). The secondary aim is to assess if the error-manipulation gait interventions have a signal of efficacy for improved secondary measures of physical function and disability for Veterans with non-traumatic LLA.
Virtual Immersive Gaming to Optimize Recovery in Low Back Pain (11/01/18 - 11/30/24)
Principal Investigator: James Thomas, PT, PhD
Funding Agency: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/NIH/DHHS
Low back pain is the second most common reason for a visit to a physician, with direct medical costs exceeding $90 billion per year. A fundamental clinical problem in individuals with low back pain is the significant alteration in movement patterns that restrict lumbar spine motion. This is particularly true for patients with fear of re-injury with movement (i.e., kinesiophobia). Accordingly, we propose a novel approach that uses a whole body video game environment to improve spinal motion and decrease expectation of pain and harm. The use of a gaming environment is an innovative approach to address low back pain that can have a significant impact on public health by developing technology to improve treatment access and reduce long-term disability.
Pathways for Authentic Teaching of Health Sciences (PATHS) (07/01/22 - 06/30/27)
Principal Investigator: Yonella Demars, PhD, RDMS (Ab, OB/Gyn, PS), RVT
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health
Providing the education community and students with knowledge of the various health professions and multiple ways to reach these professions is a critical need of public health. In addition, an understanding of the various social impacts on health (Social Determinants of Health) and use of data science tools modeled after Precision Health’s use of large data will inform teachers and students of how these tools may inform healthcare. PATHS will use a culturally relevant lens to develop curriculum materials and deliver professional development designed to support teachers and their students and will provide an array of supports for community-engaged projects such as health fairs.
Memorandum of Understanding between VCU and Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (11/1/23 - 10/31/24)
Principal Investigator: Mark Crosthwaite, MEd, CNMT, PET, RS, FSNMMI-TS
Funding Agency: Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
The purpose of this contract is to establish assessment criteria, create structured educational hierarchy, develop curriculum maps, build instructional materials, and provide instructional education for the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).
DBHDS Peer Recovery Project 2021-2024 (10/25/21 - 01/31/24)
Principal Investigator: Denise R Hall, MS, LPC, NCC, CRC
Funding Agency: Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
The purpose of this contract is to provide trainings in a virtual setting, via Zoom, to Virginia's peer workforce assigned as participants within the Recovery Leadership Academy (RLA).
Virginia Partnership for Gaming & Gambling Services (03/03/22 - 03/02/24)
Principal Investigator: Carolyn E. Hawley, PhD, CRC
Funding Agency: Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
VCU in partnership with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services partner to support accessible and inclusive evidence-based patient-centered care for Virginians for the treatment of those experiencing problem gaming and gambling.
Rehabilitation Counseling Long-Term Training through Distance Learning or On-Campus Options, Including Telerehabilitation Expertise (10/01/20 - 09/30/25)
Principal Investigator: Christine A. Reid, PhD, CRC
Funding Agency: Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services/Department of Education
The primary goal of this proposed long-term training project is to recruit and provide high quality training to people who have great potential and who seek careers as vocational rehabilitation counselors working for state VR agencies. The distance learning, asynchronous format is designed to maximize the potential for students who are geographically dispersed to gain the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to work in the state vocational rehabilitation agencies.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Long-Term Training (10/01/19 - 09/30/24)
Principal Investigator: Christine A. Reid, PhD, CRC
Funding Agency: Department of Education
The primary goal of this project is to recruit and train people seeking to become qualified rehabilitation counselors ready to work in state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Recruitment will focus on underserved areas of the country where local programs are not available; training will be available either on-campus or through distance learning, using a combination of online and intensive on-campus coursework.
Long-Term Training - Mental Illness (10/01/19 - 09/30/24)
Principal Investigator: Christopher C. Wagner, PhD, LCP, CRC
Funding Agency: Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services/Department of Education
The primary goal of the project is to provide high-quality graduate training to students committed to working as state VR agency counselors specializing in mental illness.
HEAR: Helping Elders Access Resources (09/01/22 - 08/31/24)
Principal Investigator: Sarah Marrs, PhD
Funding Agency: Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Goal 1 of this project is to mitigate challenges and barriers to reporting elder abuse. Goal 2 of the project is to develop, market, and disseminate an interactive resource mapping toolkit for use by practitioners, older adults, and caregivers of older adults and adults living with disabilities who seek to link themselves or others to systems of care.
Virginia Services, Training, Officers, Prosecution (VSTOP) (01/01/22 - 12/31/23)
Principal Investigator: Courtney O'Hara, MS
Funding Agency: Virginia Department of Criminal Justice
The overall purpose o the project is to work with criminal justice agencies, victim services, aging and legal services programs, and allied professionals to collaboratively address the unique needs of women aged 50 and older who are victims of family abuse. This is done by increasing awareness, promoting specialized services, providing technical assistance, disseminating information, and providing training on abuse dynamics, collaboration and developing, implementing and maintaining an effective coordinated community response.
Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) (07/01/19 - 06/30/24)
Principal Investigator: Bert Leland Waters, PhD
Funding Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration/DHHS
The purpose of this proposed Virginia Geriatric Education Center (VGEC) GWEP project is to improve health outcomes across Virginia for older adults by developing a healthcare workforce that maximizes patient and family engagement, integrating geriatrics and primary care, and demonstrating measurable impact.