Topic: research
ZOONOTIC DISEASE
Hannah Frank, an assistant professor in ecology and evolutionary biology and bat expert, is sharing in a $1.25 million award with scientists from other universities to study how to mitigate zoonotic threats. Zoonotic disease — diseases from non-humans that can infect humans — are an increasing problem and threat to human health and well-being. Bats are a particularly important group to understand because they can spread and shed infections including SARS-CoV-2, which do not cause disease in bats but are highly lethal to humans and other animals.https://tulane.it/zoonotic-disease
MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
More than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, behavioral health concerns continue to disrupt the lives of Americans, and addressing those concerns should be a priority, according to a study by the School of Social Work. Published in the journal Scientific Reports, research from Patrick Bordnick, dean of the school, and Tonya Hansel, a disaster mental health expert who oversees the school’s doctorate program, says that despite vaccinations and lifted restrictions, mental health issues continue to be a crucial concern as the pandemic enters a recovery phase.https://tulane.it/covid-mental-health
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
The Provost’s Award for Excellence in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion recognizes research that addresses societal inequities and promotes social change.
Research, Scholarship & Artistic Achievement
The Tulane University Research, Scholarship, and Artistic Achievement Awards were presented for the first time in November at a gala at the Higgins Hotel near The World War II Museum in New Orleans.
Hall of Fame
For the first time, Research, Scholarship and Artistic Achievement Awards were bestowed on Tulane’s stellar researchers and scholars. We devote several stories to them in this issue of the Tulanian.
VIRAL LOAD
A study co-led by Dr. Xiao-Ming Yin, chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the Dr. Donald R. and Donna G. Pulitzer Professor, found that cycle thresholds from PCR tests — an indicator of the amount of virus an infected person carries — aren’t a reliable gauge for identifying those most likely to transmit COVID-19. https://tulane.it/viral-load
INHALED VACCINE
Researchers at the Tulane National Primate Research Center found that an inhaled vaccine currently being developed induces a robust and long-lasting immune response against SARS-CoV-2 in nonhuman primates, similar to the protection provided by the Moderna vaccine. https://tulane.it/inhaled-vaccine
WASTEWATER DETECTION
Tiong Aw, assistant professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, is developing more efficient ways to test and measure viruses in wastewater so engineers can evaluate how to best eradicate them.https://tulane.it/wastewater-detection
Tick Group
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has selected Monica Embers, associate professor of microbiology and immunology and director of vector-borne disease research at the Tulane National Primate Research Center, to serve as one of 14 members of the 2021 Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. The primary function of the Working Group is to develop a report of findings and recommendations regarding the federal response to tick-borne disease prevention, treatment and research. https://tulane.it/tick-group
