The Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health (CIRWH), the Center for Health Promotion, Performance, and Rehabilitation Research (CHPPRR), and the Sealy Center on Aging (SCOA) are encouraging UTMB investigators to submit pilot research proposals on Women’s Health. Two pilot projects will be co-funded: one by CIRWH and CHPPRR, focusing on women’s health in adolescence, reproductive, or mid-life stages, and the other by CIRWH and SCOA, targeting older women’s health, including post-menopausal stages. Proposals that emphasize Team Science, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and translational research (T1-T4) are prioritized, with a special focus on new investigators. The funding aims to help early-career faculty gather preliminary data for future external funding. Projects will be funded for 10 months, with up to $20,000 in annual direct costs, and must have the necessary IACUC or IRB approvals if applicable.

On Thursday July 25, 2024, 70+ faculty and staff attended the CHPPRR Lecture Series co-sponsored by The CRO (Chief Research Officer) Office to hear Dr. Lisa Brenner discuss connections between mental health and the brain, gut and microbiome. During the lecture, Dr. Brenner explored the relationship between the brain, gut, and microbiome, specifically focusing on individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and co-occurring mental health conditions. She discussed the role of inflammation as a potential mechanism driving both psychiatric symptoms and post-TBI sequelae, the connection between inflammation and the microbiome, and current research efforts investigating probiotics as a potential intervention.

On April 18, 2024, 40 faculty, administrators and staff attended the CHPPRR Lecture series to hear Dr. Michael Davis from Indiana University discuss airway pH homeostasis and the relevance of airway pH and airway pH modulation in asthma. Dr. Davis also discussed how airway pH modulation has been implicated as a potential mechanistic target for antiviral therapy. This may also benefit asthma management since viral respiratory infections are a leading cause of asthma exacerbation. New data was presented on the potential for airway ph modulation as a treatment for viral respiratory infections as well as asthma exacerbations. Information shared on his work during the pandemic and treatment of viral respiratory infections was inspiring.