Research Grants

Nutrition Bench-to-Community Engaged Scholars in Texas (Nutrition BEST) REEU Program

Funding Amount: $1,162,500.00 

Funding Institute: NIH

Year(s): 2024-2027

Role: Faculty

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Research supported by TTUHSC/GSBS

Funding Amount: $9,000.00 

Funding Institute: TTUHSC/Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: - 

Nutrition Bench-to-Community Engaged Scholars in Texas (Nutrition BEST) REEU Program

Funding Amount: $500,000.00 

Funding Institute: NIFA, USDA

Year(s): 2021-2026

Role: Principal Investigator

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Promotion of basic and clinical research

Funding Amount: $120,000/year

Funding Institute: -

Year(s): 2023-no end date

Role: Principal Investigator

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Novel Mechanisms of Wnt Pathway Modulation

Funding Amount: $54,689.00 

Funding Institute: University of North Carolina

Year(s): 2024

Role: Principal Investigator

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Diabetes Research

Funding Amount: $15,000.00 

Funding Institute: RH Pickering Foundation

Year(s): 2024-no end date

Role: Principal Investigator

Growing Wellness: A Holistic Approach to Health and Empowerment with Culinary Medicine and Home-Grown Tomatoes

Funding Amount: $20,000.00

Funding Institute: TTU College of Health and Human Sciences

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: Principal Investigator

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Tirzaepatide Impact Assessment: Exploring Health and Wellness Outcomes

Funding Amount: $10,000.00

Funding Institute: Texas Tech University: College of Human Sciences Health and Wellness Research Seed Grant.

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: Principal Investigator

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The Feasibility of a Smartphone App Utilizing Culinary Medicine to Promote the Self-Management of Chronic Disease

Funding Amount: $5,000.00

Funding Institute: College of Human Sciences General Funding Grant

Year(s): 2023-2025

Role: Principal Investigator

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The role of synbiotics in age-related biomarkers and cognitive function in older adults

Funding Amount: $14,195.00 

Funding Institute: College of Human Sciences General Funding Grant

Year(s): 2023-2025

Role: Principal Investigator

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The Effect of Culinary Medicine to Enhance Protein Intake on Muscle Quality in Older Adults

Funding Amount: $53,731.00 

Funding Institute: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Year(s): 2023-2025

Role: Principal Investigator

 

The Future of Rural Health: Accelerating Biomedical Excellence at TTUHSC

Funding Amount: $1,163,500.00 

Funding Institute: NIH

Year(s): 2024-2027

Role: Co-I

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CenteringPregnancy®

Funding Amount: $24,995.00 

Funding Institute: Centering Healthcare Institute HCSC Grant

Year(s): 2024-2026

Role: Principal Investigator

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Validation of a novel lactation-specific medical claims- phenotype

Funding Amount: $20,000.00

Funding Institute: TTUHSC School of Medicine Collaborative Seed Grant

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: Co-I

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VIBRANT MOMS

Funding Amount: $1,385,989.00 

Funding Institute: NIH – National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Year(s): 2023-2025

Role: Principal Investigator

Innovating and advancing in STEM education

Funding Amount: $4,783,323.00 

Funding Institute: -

Year(s): 2021-2026

Role: -

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Developing Early Alert Dashboard Using Power BI and Machine Learning Techniques

Funding Amount: $10,000.00 

Funding Institute: Competitive Edge Seed Grant (TTU)

Year(s): 2023-2024

Role: -

Adaptive Auditory Binaural Beats Guided by Electroencephalographic Bio-feedback system

Funding Amount: $50,000.00 

Funding Institute: NSF I-Corps

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: Co-I

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Combining L-theanine and Paraxanthine for Transient Improvement of Cognitive Deficits among Patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Series of Translational Pilot Neuroimaging Studies

Funding Amount: $20,000.00

Funding Institute: TTUHSC School of Medicine School of Medicine Dean’s Seed Grant Program

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: Co-I

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Ginger And The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Connection In Sciatic Pain Individuals

Funding Amount: $607,561.00 

Funding Institute: NIFA, USDA

Year(s): 2024-2026

Role: Co-I

Transcriptional Dysfunction in Dentate Gyrus Cell Types: Roles of Retinoic Acid Responsive Genes in Protection Against Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis

Funding Amount: $1,872,220.00 

Funding Institute: NIH

Year(s): 2022-2026

Role: Principal Investigator

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The hippocampal dentate gyrus in aging and Alzheimer's disease: boosting transcription of retinoic acid-sensitive genes through HDAC inhibition and vitamin A supplementation

Funding Amount: $3,158,615.00 

Funding Institute: NIH

Year(s): 2022-2027

Role: Principal Investigator

Localized mHealth approach to boosting COVID-19 testing and vaccine literacy, access, and uptake among women with criminal legal system involvement

Funding Amount: $2,458.00 

Funding Institute: -

Year(s): 2022-2026

Role: Co-I

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Innovating and advancing in STEM education

Funding Amount: $4,783,323.00 

Funding Institute: -

Year(s): 2021-2026

Role: Co-I

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Curcumin and retinal amyloid-beta pilot study

Funding Amount: $94,991.00 

Funding Institute: Sabinsa Corporation

Year(s): 2022

Role: Co-I

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Effect of annatto-derived geranylgeraniol (GG) on statin-associated myopathy

Funding Amount: $266,294.00 

Funding Institute: American River Nutrition

Year(s): 2022-2023

Role: Co-I

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Oral diadochokinesis among Malaysian-Malay speakers: A comparative study of neurotypical adults and individuals with Parkinson’s disease

Funding Amount: $22,000.00 

Funding Institute: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Year(s): 2022-2023

Role: Co-I

 

Third year of NIDCR grant

Funding Amount: -

Funding Institute: -

Year(s): -

Role: -

Glycemic control and frailty risk in older people at risk for type 2 diabetes: Impact of local heat therapy

Funding Amount: $3,501,732.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NIA

Year(s): 2024-2029

Role: Co-PI

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Resveratrol-mediated changes in extracellular vesicle microRNA cargo as a novel contributor to resistance training-induced skeletal muscle adaptations in older adults

Funding Amount: $24,000.00 

Funding Institute: National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation

Year(s): 2024-2026

Role: Principal Investigator

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Neural correlates and biological markers of pre-death grief and psychosocial distress in persons with life limiting illnesses and their family caregivers

Funding Amount: $30,000.00 

Funding Institute: Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics

Year(s): 2024-2026

Role: Co-I

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Understanding the relationship among substance (mis)use (alcohol and cannabis), physical activity, and physiological and psychological stress in college students

Funding Amount: $5,000.00 

Funding Institute: TrUE Transformers Program

Year(s): 2024

Role: Principal Investigator

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Seahorse XF Pro and Cytation C10

Funding Amount: $150,172.00 

Funding Institute: Office of Research and Innovation Funding Requests

Year(s): 2023-2024

Role: Co-PI

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Metabolomic signature of EtOH-treated skeletal muscle precursor cells

Funding Amount: $2,000.00 

Funding Institute: College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience

Year(s): 2023-2024

Role: Principal Investigator

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Mitochondrial DNA signatures of poor aerobic exercise trainability in young adults born preterm

Funding Amount: $154,000.00 

Funding Institute: American Heart Association

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: Co-I

 

Glycemic control and frailty risk in older people at risk for type 2 diabetes: Impact of local heat therapy

Funding Amount: $3,501,732.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NIA

Year(s): 2024-2029

Role: Co-PI

Smartphone-based Cognitive Impairment Assessment Tool: A Pilot Study of Feasibility and Validation

Funding Amount: $20,000.00

Funding Institute: Alzheimer's Research Seed Grant,Texas Tech University College of Health and Human Sciences

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: MPI

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Ginger and the microbiota-gut-brain connection in sciatic pain individuals

Funding Amount: $607,561.00 

Funding Institute: USDA/NIFA

Year(s): 2024-2027

Role: MPI

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Innovative mental health services, recreational intervention, and imaging-based biomarker screening for AD/ADRD patients and caregivers

Funding Amount: $65,000.00 

Funding Institute: Garrison Family Foundation

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: Principal Investigator

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fMRI studies of the reward system in persons with AD/ADRD and their caregivers

Funding Amount: $30,000.00 

Funding Institute: CTNT-OR-GIA JSBDVN Seed Fund Program

Year(s): 2023-2025

Role: Co-I

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Curcumin and Retinal Amyloid-beta Pilot Study

Funding Amount: $94,991.00 

Funding Institute: Sabinsa Corporation

Year(s): 2023-2025

Role: Co-I

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Brain Circuits of Migraine Pain

Funding Amount: $3,118,625.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NINDS

Year(s): 2022-2027

Role: MPI

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Amygdala Pain Mechanisms

Funding Amount: $3,278,187.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NINDS

Year(s): 2021-2026

Role: Principal Investigator

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A prolactin-mediated neuroendocrine link between stress-induced latent sensitization and female-selective pain

Funding Amount: $2,297,350.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NINDS

Year(s): 2021-2026

Role: MPI

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Ginger root extract for neuropathic pain

Funding Amount: $500,000.00 

Funding Institute: USDA/NIFA

Year(s): 2021-2024

Role: MPI

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Trans-Synaptic Signaling Complex in Amygdala Pain Mechanisms

Funding Amount: $2,674,615.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NINDS

Year(s): 2020-2025

Role: MPI

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Pronociceptive and Antinociceptive Opioid Mechanisms in the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala

Funding Amount: $2,544,148.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NINDS

Year(s): 2019-2025

Role: Co-I

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Ginger extract in anxio-depressive disorders: gut-brain-axis

Funding Amount: $10,000.00 

Funding Institute: Davis Foundation

Year(s): 2022-2024

Role: MPI

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The Neuroimmune Model of Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Transition to Alcohol Use Disorder

Funding Amount: $2,868,750.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NIAAA

Year(s): 2019-2024

Role: Co-I

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Stress-Induced Descending Facilitation from Amygdala Kappa Opioid Receptors in Functional Pain

Funding Amount: $2,740,180.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NINDS

Year(s): 2018-2024

Role: MPI

Acute effects of static stretching on wrist flexibility and handgrip strength in older adults

Funding Amount: $500.00 

Funding Institute: Texas Society for Hand Therapy

Year(s): 2024

Role: Principal Investigator

From Bytes to Bites: Understanding How Exemplification in an Online Community Improves Healthy Diet and Family Mealtime Interactions

Funding Amount: $50,000.00 

Funding Institute: College of Human Sciences, TTU

Year(s): -

Role: Principal Investigator

MACRO TRU

Funding Amount: $10,000.00 

Funding Institute: Texas Tech University

Year(s): 2024

Role: -

Medication Development for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

Funding Amount: $7,404,680.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NIAAA

Year(s): 2020-2025

Role: MPI

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Ginger root extract for neuropathic pain

Funding Amount: $500,000.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NIAAA

Year(s): 2021-2024

Role: Principal Investigator

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Effect of annatto-derived geranylgeraniol (GG) on statin-associated myopathy

Funding Amount: $266,294.00 

Funding Institute: American River Nutrition

Year(s): 2022-2024

Role: Principal Investigator

---

Curcumin and Retinal Amyloid-beta Pilot Study

Funding Amount: $94,991.00 

Funding Institute: Sabinsa Corporation

Year(s): 2022-2024

Role: Principal Investigator

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Ginger and the microbiota-gut-brain connection in sciatic pain individuals

Funding Amount: $607,561.00 

Funding Institute: USDA/NIFA

Year(s): 2024-2027

Role: Principal Investigator

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The Future of Rural Health: Accelerating Biomedical Excellence at TTUHSC

Funding Amount: $1,162,500.00 

Funding Institute: NIH

Year(s): 2024-2027

Role: Faculty

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Glycemic control and frailty risk in older people at risk for type 2 diabetes: Impact of local heat therapy

Funding Amount: $3,505,732.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NIA

Year(s): 2024-2029

Role: Consultant

The role of BCAAs in the brain reward system and food appetite

Funding Amount: $199,976.00 

Funding Institute: American Heart Association

Year(s): 2025-2026

Role: Principal Investigator

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The acute effects of BCAAs on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and their underlying mechanisms

Funding Amount: $50,000.00 

Funding Institute: Diabetes Action Foundation

Year(s): 2025

Role: Principal Investigator

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Serotonin-modulated mitochondrial dysfunction in dementia, depression and diabetes

Funding Amount: $2,428,686.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NIA

Year(s): 2022-2027

Role: Co-I

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The hippocampal dentate gyrus in aging and Alzheimer's disease: boosting transcription of retinoic acid-sensitive genes through vitamin A supplementation and HDAC inhibition

Funding Amount: $3,140,235.00 

Funding Institute: NIH/NIA

Year(s): 2022-2027

Role: Co-I

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Transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation for obesity treatment

Funding Amount: $6,000.00 

Funding Institute: Cross-Disciplinary Research Excellence Award, Office of the Provost, TTU

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: Principal Investigator

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Identifying multi-dimensional druggable targets for obesity treatment

Funding Amount: $1,200,000.00 

Funding Institute: National Research Foundation, South Korea

Year(s): 2024-2029

Role: Ex-I

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Semaglutide impact assessment: Exploring health and wellness outcomes

Funding Amount: $10,000.00 

Funding Institute: College of Human Sciences, TTU

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: Principal Investigator

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The role of BCAAs in food reward

Funding Amount: $20,000.00 

Funding Institute: College of Human Sciences, TTU

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: Principal Investigator

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A BCAA-lowering compound as a novel approach to delay the onset of AD

Funding Amount: $199,918.00 

Funding Institute: Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Association Research Grant

Year(s): 2023-2026

Role: Principal Investigator

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To attend Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB) Conference

Funding Amount: $1,000.00 

Funding Institute: Travel Incentive Funding, College of Human Sciences, TTU

Year(s): 2024

Role: Principal Investigator

Centering Pregnancy Grant (in-kind training and certification as a Centering Pregnancy program)

Funding Amount: $38,000.00 

Funding Institute: Centering Pregnancy

Year(s): 2024-2026

Role: Co-I

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ACTION for Big Country

Funding Amount: $997,266.00 

Funding Institute: Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas

Year(s): 2023-2026

Role: Principal Investigator

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C3P2: C3 CHW Curriculum for Prepared Populations

Funding Amount: $250,000.00 

Funding Institute: Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), UTHealth Houston, University of Texas School of Public Health

Year(s): 2025-2026

Role: Principal Investigator

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PROJECT CLEAR: Propagating Resilience Outwardly & Jointly Elevating CHWs and Community Lead Engagement And Research

Funding Amount: $250,000.00 

Funding Institute: Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), UTHealth Houston, University of Texas School of Public Health

Year(s): 2025-2026

Role: Principal Investigator

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Validation of a Performance-Based Assessment to Assess Readiness for Occupational Therapy Fieldwork

Funding Amount: $5,000.00 

Funding Institute: Seed grant, Office of Research and Innovations, School of Health Professions (TTUHSC)

Year(s): 2024-2025

Role: Mentor

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VIBRANT MOMS: Verifying & Implementing evidence-Based pRograms Addressing Needed Transformations for Maternal health Outcomes, Measures, & Support

Funding Amount: $1,385,969.65 

Funding Institute: National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: IMPROVE Community Implementation Program (IMPROVE-CIP)

Year(s): 2023-2025

Role: Co-PI

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The Future of Rural Health: Accelerating Biomedical Excellence at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC)

Funding Amount: $1,162,500.00 

Funding Institute: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD/NIH)

Year(s): 2024-2027

Role: Co-I

Influence of Structured Medium- and Long-Chain Triglycerides on Muscular Recovery Following Damaging Resistance Exercise

Funding Amount: $80,241.00 

Funding Institute: Bunge Loders Croklann USA LLC

Year(s): 2024-present

Role: Principal Investigator

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Smartphone-based Digital Anthropometry and Body Composition Estimation using 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging

Funding Amount: $35,000.00 

Funding Institute: Greyscale Holdings Inc

Year(s): 2023- present

Role: Principal Investigator

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Chronic Thermogenic Dietary Supplement Consumption: Effects on Body Composition, Anthropometrics, Metabolism, and Subjective Variables

Funding Amount: $85,378.00 

Funding Institute: EHP Labs

Year(s): 2022-2024

Role: Principal Investigator

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Digital Anthropometry and Body Composition Estimation Using a Generation 2 Prototype 3-Dimensional Optical Scanner

Funding Amount: $32,756.00 

Funding Institute: Greyscale Holdings Inc (DBA Prism Labs)

Year(s): 2022-2024

Role: Principal Investigator

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TUF Investment Opportunity: KSM Musculoskeletal and Body Composition Imaging: Acquiring Advanced Capabilities

Funding Amount: $220,000.00 

Funding Institute: TTU

Year(s): 2024

Role: Co-PI

Novel prebiotic nanoparticles to enhance tart cherry anthocyanin bioavailability and improve gut health in obesity

Funding Amount: $285,038.00 

Funding Institute: USDA/NIFA

Year(s): 2023-2025

Role: Principal Investigator

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The Role of Glycolytic Beige Fat in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Funding Amount: $154,000.00 

Funding Institute: AHA AIREA

Year(s): 2023-2025

Role: Principal Investigator

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Nutrition Bench-to-Community Scholars at Texas Tech REEU

Funding Amount: $500,000.00 

Funding Institute: USDA/NIFA REEU

Year(s): 2021-2026

Role: Mentor

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Burning fat by nanoparticles for obesity treatment (FatBuringNanoTM)

Funding Amount: $50,000.00 

Funding Institute: NSF I-Corps

Year(s): 2018-2019

Role: Entrepreneurial Lead