Marquette faculty and staff grants from January/February 2022

Marquette University’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs has announced the following grants awarded to university faculty and staff in January/February 2022.

• Marquette University professor receives NSF CAREER grant for efficient spatial data analytics and mining (Dr. Satish Puri)
• Marquette School of Dentistry professor partners on multi-million-dollar NIH grant for no-show prevention in underserved populations (Dr. Christopher Okunseri)
• Marquette University receives $1.2 million NSF grant to expand mathematics, science and computer science education in K-12 schools (Dr. Jill Birren)
• Marquette engineering professor receives NSF CAREER grant with climate change and public health implications (Dr. Somesh Roy)
• Marquette University physics professor receives NSF CAREER Award (Dr. Karen Andeen)

The influence of non-breeding carry-over effects on elevational breeding distributions

$750 – Sigma Xi

• Madison Sutton (PI), graduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences, and Joseph LaManna (Advisor), assistant professor of community and population ecology in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences.
• Abstract: The goal of this research is to elucidate how non-breeding season carry-over effects influence breeding distributions along an elevational gradient. The hypothesis is that carry-over effects increase the likelihood of establishing territories in more productive environments at lower elevations.

Authentic research experiences for teachers at Long-Term Ecological Research sites: climate change and biodiversity across ecosystems

$ 222,051 – National Science Foundation

• Joseph LaManna, assistant professor of community and population ecology in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences.
• Abstract: The overarching goal of this project is to use the unique resources and research community of NSF’s Long Term Ecological Research sites as a platform to provide authentic research experiences for teachers. The conceptual theme of the science is an intersection of climate change and biodiversity. The researcher proposes to link three LTER sites that span critical habitat types on Earth, each of which are uniquely positioned to support RET authentic research experiences and are already knit together in the LTER Network with shared practices and experience with teacher training and public outreach.

Feasibility of Yoga as Exercise for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans

$27,015 – Medical College of Wisconsin

• Rachel Bollaert (co-PI), clinical assistant professor of exercise science in the College of Health Sciences, and Dr. Jacklynn Fitzgerald (co-PI), assistant professor of psychology in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences.
• Abstract: This project is a two-tiered approach: First, investigators will recruit of a study team to design a yoga feasibility study for veterans while conducting an online descriptive study of Milwaukee veterans with PTSD for assessing preparedness, motivation, and barriers to the completion of yoga as exercise. A small feasibility study will be conducted to study the effects of yoga on physiological and psychological health and its neurobiological mechanisms.

Persistent Effects of COVID-19 on Physical Function

$35,000 – Medical College of Wisconsin

• Sandra Hunter (PI), professor, and Toni Uhrich, Dr. Rachel Bollaert, Michael Danduran, clinical assistant professors, of exercise science; and Dr. Marie Bement and Dr. Paula Papanek, professors of physical therapy, in the College of Health Sciences; and Dr. Linda Piacentine, associate professor of nursing in the College of Nursing.
• Abstract: To understand the unmet needs of COVID-19 survivors in our community, and provide strategies for future rehabilitation, this team aims to create an ensemble of experts and community members to inform and address the long-term effects of COVID-19 on physical function across different population demographics including sex, age, race, and ethnicity.

Integrating advocates within a healthcare setting to strengthen intimate partner violence screening

$24,698 – Sojourner Family Peace Center

• Linda Piacentine (PI), associate professor, and Dr. Teresa Jerofke-Owen, assistant professor, of nursing in the College of Nursing; and Dr. Nilanjan Lodh, assistant professor of medical laboratory science in the College of Health Sciences.
• Abstract: Through this award, project partners aim to implement universal screening and improve the referral process for those experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) in order to reduce IPV and aid potential victims in accessing assistance and care. This will be accomplished by integrating specially trained IPV advocates into Milwaukee OB/GYN clinics with the goal to educate clinics on IPV, establish universal screenings and referral protocols, create a bridge between clinics and IPV resource centers, and train clinic staff to sustain the newly implemented practices. Ultimately, the project will reduce IPV by helping potential victims receive assistance.

ERI: Segmented Braces for Improved Seismic Performance and Repairability of Concentrically Braced Frames

$200,000 – National Science Foundation

• Andrew Sen, assistant professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering in the Opus College of Engineering.
• Abstract: This research investigates repair and residual capacity of concentrically braced frames (CBF) using a new segmented bracing scheme. These segmented braces will be suitable for repair of existing, conventional CBFs with continuous braces and design of new CBFs with enhanced repairability. Complementary experimental and computational methods will be utilized to realize the proposed research objectives. The experimental research will advance the fundamental understanding of repair of CBFs, including how components can be retained or selectively replaced to facilitate functional recovery following earthquakes. A subsequent computational study will be performed to develop and validate modeling approaches for repaired concentrically braced frames with segmented braces that are suitable for design practice.

Living in the Tension: What the Conservative Protestant LGBT+ Movement Teaches Us About Toxic Shame, Love, and Justice

$40,000 – Louisville Institute

• Dawne Moon, professor of social and cultural sciences in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences.
• Abstract: Starting from the premise that human beings are relational creatures, this project draws from a qualitative study of the conservative Protestant lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and similarly “queer” (LGBTQ+) movement to explore the effects of their churches’ conventional teachings about gender and sexuality. In a popular press book coming from this seven-year study, we will draw from previous scholarship to identify the deeply racialized source of complementarian teachings about gender and sexuality. We will then draw from participants’ stories to highlight the harmful dynamic these teachings promote for LGBTQ+ people, which we call sacramental shame, centering the experiences of LGBTQ+ people of color in order to show how this dynamic heterosexuality cisgenderness (i.e. not being transgender), and at the same time whiteness and maleness as seemingly unmarked and closer to God. We will draw from participants’ testimony to show why this dynamic is so harmful, and the dynamics of humility involved in overcoming those harms. We will explore how heterosexual/cisgender people come to prioritize relationship and become allies, and how participants in the movement navigate productive tensions around what it means to be LGBTQ+ and conservative Christian. Ultimately, this study explores the material effects of love—and its withdrawal—in human, and Christian, life.