Our Projects
The long-term goal of the LA CaTS Pilot Grants Program is to develop a critical mass of senior scientists and promising young investigators trained in translational research. Below are the projects and investigators supported through the LA CaTS Center Pilot Grants Program and other LA CaTS Center Cores or Resources.
Annual Pilot Grant Awards |
Special or Theme Focused Pilot Grant Awards |
|
2014 Multi-Institutional Projects |
| Cycle | Round | PI First Name | PI Last Name | Institution | Project Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 2 | Round 10 (2021-2022) | Yilin | Yoshida | Tulane | Role of comorbidities, sex hormones, inflammatory biomarkers, and socio-demographic factors in sex differences of COVID-19 outcomes |
| Cycle 2 | Round 10 (2021-2022) | Vance | Albaugh | PBRC | Intestinal Glucose Utilization Drives the Weight Loss Benefits of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass |
| Cycle 2 | Round 10 (2021-2022) | Ibolya | Rutkai | Tulane | Role of mitochondrial quality control in vascular aging |
| Cycle 2 | Round 10 (2021-2022) | Maria | Sanchez-Pino | LSUH-NO | Epigenetic signature of obese-induced MDSC: decoding the link with increased risk for Cancer |
| Cycle 2 | Round 10 (2021-2022) | Larissa | Sweeny | LSUH-NO | Understanding the Impact of Human Papillomavirus on Immune Response in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Tumors |
| Cycle 2 | Round 10 (2021-2022) | Timothy | Allerton | PBRC | The Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in Adipose Tissue Microvascular Function in Obesity-Associated Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction |
| Cycle 2 | Round 10 (2021-2022) | Prachi | Singh | PBRC | Addressing health disparities in African Americans – exploring sleep and developing interventions |
| Cycle 2 | Round 10 (2021-2022) | Yinghua | Jiang | Tulane | Preclinical Screening of Therapeutic Compounds for Treating Ischemic Stroke Complication in A Mouse Model Mimicking Chronic HIV-cART state |
| Cycle 2 | Round 9 (2020-2021) | Janet | McCombs | Tulane | Engineering T cells to target Klebsiella pneumoniae infections |
| Cycle 2 | Round 9 (2020-2021) | Amy | Feehan | Ochsner | Developing a bile acid biomarker to predict the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation in overt hepatic encephalopathy |
| Cycle 2 | Round 9 (2020-2021) | Ana-Maria | Dragoi | LSUHSC-S | The role of macrophages colonization by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N.g) during gonorrhea development |
| Cycle 2 | Round 9 (2020-2021) | Sruti | Chandra | Tulane | Epigenetic analysis of regulation of the inflammosome-activating NLRP3 gene in monocytes from atrial fibrillation patients and controls |
| Cycle 2 | Round 9 (2020-2021) | Louis | Krane | Tulane | Assessing the Role of Transferable Exosomal PD-L1 in Renal Cell Carcinoma |
| Cycle 2 | Round 9 (2020-2021) | Shengmin | Yan | Tulane | The role of BID in NAFLD-related metabolic changes of hepatic macrophages |
| Cycle 2 | Round 9 (2020-2021) | Kristin | Hoddy | PBRC | Community opinion of technology supported dietary pattern interventions (CoopTech) |
| Cycle 2 | Round 8/Special Round: Diabetes Focused (2019-2020) | David Vivian |
McDougal (Lead PI)Fonseca (Co-PI | PBRC Tulane |
Evaluating glial acetate metabolism as a biomarker of hypoglycemic complications in patients with type 1 diabetes: A proof of concept study. |
| Cycle 2 | Round 8/Multi-Institutional Projects (2019-2020) | Peter Jovanny |
Katzmarzyk (Lead PI) Zabeleta (Co-PI) |
PBRC LSUHSC-NO |
Obesity, Health Disparities and Cancer Risk in Louisiana |
| Cycle 2 | Round 8/Multi-Institutional Projects (2019-2020) | David Lauren John John |
Welsh (Lead PI) Richey (Co-PI) Apolzan (Co-PI) Vanchiere (Co-PI) |
LSUHSC-NO LSUHSC-NO PBRC LSUHSC-S |
Confluent Disparities in Modifiable Health Behaviors in People Living with HIV throughout Louisiana |
| Cycle 2 | Round 7 (2018-2019) | Catherine | Burnette (McKinley) | Tulane | The Development of a Culturally Grounded Evidenced-Based Intervention for Native Americans of the Southeast: Promoting Cardiovascular Health and Well-Being While Addressing Health Disparities |
| Cycle 2 | Round 7 (2018-2019) | Robert | Siggins, R. | LSUHSC-NO | Alcohol Use in People Living with HIV: Impact on Mitochondrial DNA Damage and T-cell Immunosenescence |
| Cycle 2 | Round 7 (2018-2019) | Claudia | Leonardi, C. | LSUHSC-NO | Feasibility of Electronic Health Records to Study Social Determinants of Health Disparities in Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Louisiana. |
| Cycle 2 | Round 7 (2018-2019) | Kara | Marlatt | PBRC | The Role of Estrogen in Adipocyte Remodeling Following Surgical Menopause |
| Cycle 2 | Round 7 (2018-2019) | Aaron | Klinger | Ochsner | The role of extracellular vesicle carried miRNA on colorectal cancer metastasis |
| Cycle 2 | Round 7 (2018-2019) | John | Seal | Ochsner | Real-time Mass Spectrometry and Lipidomic Analysis in Liver Transplantation |
| Cycle 2 | Round 7 (2018-2019) | Muralidharan | Anbalagan | Tulane | Disruption of the circadian melatonin signal by dim light at night promotes bone lytic breast cancer metastases |
| Cycle 2 | Round 7 (2018-2019) | Tewodros | Godebo | Tulane | Arsenic and Other Toxicants in Private Wells and Human Health in Southern Louisiana |
| Cycle 2 | Round 6 (2017-2018) | Christopher | Marrero | LSUHSC-NO | Biological Predictors of Poor Surgical Outcomes Associated with Total Knee Arthroplasty |
| Cycle 2 | Round 6 (2017-2018) | Koji | Tsumagari | Tulane | Molecular signature in whole blood RNA: Novel biomarker for treatment decision of castration resistant prostate cancer |
| Cycle 2 | Round 6 (2017-2018) | Elizabeth | Martin | LSU | Evaluation of Obese Derived Adipose Stem Cell Matrix in the Induction of Luminal B Breast Cancer Endocrine Resistance |
| Cycle 2 | Round 6 (2017-2018) | Fohkrul | Hossain | LSUHSC-NO | Obesity and Triple Negative Breast Cancer in Louisiana: Linking Health Disparities and Cancer Biology |
| Cycle 2 | Round 6 (2017-2018) | Sanbao | Ruan | LSUHSC-NO | Human Validation of Novel Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies to Prevent or Treat Pneumocystis Pneumonia |
| Cycle 2 | Round 6 (2017-2018) | John/Ursula | Apolzan/White | PBRC | The effects of alcohol consumption on central adiposity and testosterone following weight loss in humans |
| Cycle 2 | Round 6 (2017-2018) | Candida | Rebello | PBRC | Effect of Naringenin on Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity: Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial |
| Cycle 2 | Round 6 (2017-2018) | Qiuyang | Zhang | Tulane | Targeting Inflamm-aging in Preventing Prostate Carcinogenesis |
| Cycle 2 | Round 6 (2017-2018) | Dragana | Lovre | Tulane | Molecular Mechanisms of a Tissue Selective Estrogen Complex (TSEC) on Muscle and Adipose Tissue in Postmenopausal Women. |
| Cycle 1 | Round 5 (2016-2017) | Bruce | Bunnell | Tulane | Adipose stromal cells from obese donors promote tumorigenesis and metastasis of breast cancer |
| Cycle 1 | Round 5 (2016-2017) | Lydia | Bazzano (Co-PI O. Carmichael, PBRC) | Tulane & PBRC | Lifespan cardiovascular exposures and risk of brain injury in the Bogalusa Heart Study |
| Cycle 1 | Round 5 (2016-2017) | Emily | Harville | Tulane | Cross-generational cardiovascular risk factors: Bogalusa Daughters |
| Cycle 1 | Round 5 (2016-2017) | Stephanie | Brolyes (Co-PI Newton, Robert) | PBRC | Using a Community-Favored Alternative Research Design to Study How Neighborhoods May Be Promoting Health Disparities |
| Cycle 1 | Round 5 (2016-2017) | Tekeda | Ferguson | LSUHSC-NO | A Pilot Study to Improve Patient Outcomes Among Breast Cancer Patients by Increasing Early Detection and Intervention of Cardiotoxicity |
| Cycle 1 | Round 5 (2016-2017) | Zhiqiang | Qin | LSUHSC-NO | Developing new ceramide analogs as therapeutic agents against AIDS-related lymphomas |
| Cycle 1 | Round 5 (2016-2017) | David | Krzywanski | LSUHSC-S | Clinical Impact of Ethnic Variation in Mitochondrial Function on Hypertension |
| Cycle 1 | Round 5 (2016-2017) | Randall | Mynatt (Co-PI E. Ravussin) | PBRC | Can carnitine supplementation suppress fructose-induced de novo lipogenesis? |
| Cycle 1 | Round 5 (2016-2017) | Daniel | Hsia | PBRC & UAB | Assessment of Unmethylated Insulin DNA with Droplet Digital PCR in Adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes Compared to Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes and without Diabetes |
| Cycle 1 | Round 4 (2015-2016) | Marie ("Tonette") | Krousel-Wood | Tulane | Overcoming Immunity to Change: A feasibility study of a new method to promote medication adherence among older adults with hypertension |
| Cycle 1 | Round 4 (2015-2016) | Jing | Chen | Tulane | Effect of Combination Therapy with Sodium Nitrite and Isoquercetin on Endothelial Function and Inflammation among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease |
| Cycle 1 | Round 4 (2015-2016) | Anne/Leanne | Gilmore/Redman | PBRC | Unintentional overfeeding of formula fed infants |
| Cycle 1 | Round 3 (2014-2015) | Mark | Sarzynski | PBRC | Predicting the Response of Lipoproteins to Exercise using Clinical and Genetic Data |
| Cycle 1 | Round 3 (2014-2015) | Jennifer | Lentz | LSUHSC-NO | Molecular Epidemiology and Natural History of Acadian Usher Syndrome |
| Cycle 1 | Round 3 (2014-2015) | Elizabeth | Norton | Tulane | Vaccine Efficacy in Diabetic and Elderly Patients |
| Cycle 1 | Round 3 (2014-2015) | Matthew | Woolard | LSUHSC-S | Lipin-1 Lipid Synthesis Regulates CVD Inflammation |
| Cycle 1 | Round 3 (2014-2015) | Matthew | Lammi | LSUHSC-NO | Endothelial microparticles in COPD: Effect of vascular-targeted therapy |
| Cycle 1 | Round 3 (2014-2015) | Paulo | Rodriguez | LSUHSC-NO | Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells (MDSC) are major modulators of chronic inflammation and insulin resistance in obese patients |
| Cycle 1 | Round 3 (2014-2015) | David | McDougal | PBRC | Testing glial pathways to HAAF in human subjects using 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy. |
| Cycle 1 | Round 3 (2014-2015) | Jordan | Karlitz | Tulane | Detection of Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Mutations in Cajuns |
| Cycle 1 | Round 3 (2014-2015) | T.Cooper | Woods | Tulane | Plaque destabilization via shear stress and vascular strain induced changes in non-coding RNA |
| Cycle 1 | Round 2 (2013-2014) | Timothy | Foster | LSUHSC - NO | Evaluation of peg-Arginase I as a Therapeutic for Virus-Mediated Ocular Diseases |
| Cycle 1 | Round 2 (2013-2014) | Eva | Morava-Kozicz | Tulane | Screening for glycosylation disorders and study galactose intake in PGM1-CDG |
| Cycle 1 | Round 2 (2013-2014) | Guangdi | Wang | Xavier | Boron-based 4-hydroxytamoxifen and endoxifen prodrugs for treatment of breast cancer |
| Cycle 1 | Round 2 (2013-2014) | Erich | Conrad | LSUHSC - NO | Assessing and Reducing Risk of Violent Re-injury among Victims of Urban Violence |
| Cycle 1 | Round 2 (2013-2014) | Jesus | Lovera (Deidre Devier, Co-PI) | LSUHSC - NO | Targeted microRNA analysis in Multiple Sclerosis associated cognitive decline |
| Cycle 1 | Round 2 (2013-2014) | Rebecca | Fisher | LSUHSC - NO | HPV and EBV Serum Antibodies as Prognostic Markers for Cervical Cancer |
| Cycle 1 | Round 2 (2013-2014) | Yan | Cui | LSUHSC - NO | Contribution of a specialized human myeloid population in mobilized peripheral blood stem cell specimens to accelerating post-transplant immune recovery and clinical outcomes |
| Cycle 1 | Round 2 (2013-2014) | Bridgette | Collins-Burow | Tulane | Selective targeting of the metastatic-invasive phenotype of triple-negative breast carcinoma |
| Cycle 1 | Round 2 (2013-2014) | Jerome | Maderdrut | Tulane | Development of a PACAP Analog as a Therapeutic for Contrast-Induced Nephropathy |
| Cycle 1 | Round 2 (2013-2014) | Malwina | Czarny-Ratajczak | Tulane | Investigation of novel genetic factors predisposing to multiple epiphyseal dysplasia and osteoarthritis |
| Cycle 1 | Round 2 (2013-2014) | Cooper | Woods | Tulane | Plaque Destabilization through Shear Stress Mediated Decreases in miR-221/222 |
| Cycle 1 | Round 2 (2013-2014) | Zhen | Lin | Tulane | Analysis of the Pathogenesis of HIV/EBV associated DLBCL |
| Cycle 1 | Round 1 (2012-2013) | Daniel | Hsia | PBRC | Metabolic Effects of Short Term Sugarcane Bagasse Supplementation |
| Cycle 1 | Round 1 (2012-2013) | Eric | Lazartigues | LSUHSC NO | Evaluation of ACE2 as a Biomarker for Neurologic Hypertension |
| Cycle 1 | Round 1 (2012-2013) | Gary | Sander | Tulane | Relationship of uAGT to Blood Pressure and Response to Antihypertensive Therapy |
| Cycle 1 | Round 1 (2012-2013) | Jovanny | Zabaleta | LSUHSC NO | Transcriptional Profiling of gastritis progression Using High Throughput Sequencing of Tissue MicroRNA |
| Cycle 1 | Round 1 (2012-2013) | Francesca | Peruzzi | LSUHSC NO | Using Serum microRNAs as Biomarkers for Cognitive Impairment in HIV Patients |
| Cycle 1 | Round 1 (2012-2013) | Suresh | Alahari | LSUHSC NO | MicroRNAs as Prognostic Markers of Breast Cancer |
| Cycle 1 | Round 1 (2012-2013) | Zakaria | Abd-Elmageed | Tulane | Discovering the Role of Putative MicroRNAs in Prostate Tumorigenesis |
| Cycle 1 | Round 1 (2012-2013) | Minolfa | Prieto | Tulane | Urinary Excretion of Renin and Soluble Prorenin Receptor in Hypertension |
| Cycle 1 | Round 1 (2012-2013) | Courtney | Peterson | PBRC | Time Restricted Feeding to Improve Insulin Sensitivity and Vascular Function |
| Cycle 1 | Round 1 (2012-2013) | Mark | Sarzynski | PBRC | Predicting the Response of Lipoproteins to Exercise using Clinical and Genetic Data |
| Cycle 1 | Multi-institutional (2014) | Michael | Hagensee | LSUHSC-NO (Co-PIs from Tulane, LSUHSC-S, PBRC & LSUHSC-NO) | Cervical Cancer Prevention in Louisiana |
| Cycle 1 | Multi-institutional (2014) | Christopher | Kevil | LSUHSC-S (Co-PIs from LSUHSC-NO & Tulane) | Hydrogen Sulfide Metabolism in Critical Limb Ischemia |
| Cycle 1 | Multi-institutional (2014) | Franck | Mauvais-Jarvis | Tulane (Co-PI from PBRC) | Novel Tissue Selective Estrogen Complex with Bazedoxifene and the Prevention of Metabolic Dysfunction in Post-Menopausal Women |
| Cycle 1 | Community Pilot Project | Peter | Katzmarzyk | PBRC | Community-Wide Health Assessment for West Carroll Parish |
| Cycle 1 | INBRE Collaborative Projects | Urska/J. Steven | Cvek/Alexander | LSU Shreveport & LSUHSC-Shreveport | Neurolymphatic Biomarker Analysis in Multiple Sclerosis |
| Cycle 1 | INBRE Collaborative Projects | Prerna | Dua | La Tech & PBRC | A predictive modeling framework for studying disparity in colorectal screening |
| Cycle 1 | Other | Jean-Pyo | Lee | Tulane | Effects of Aging in Delayed Antithrombotic tPA Treatment and Stem Cell Therapy against Ischemic Stroke |
| Cycle 1 | Other | Lisa | Morici | Tulane | Activation of Innate & Cellular Immunity by Outer Membrane Vesicles |
| Cycle 1 | Other | Cindy | Morris | Tulane | Establishing a Congenital Zika Virus Infection Model |