2023 Pilot Research Project Symposium

About the ERC and PRP
Welcome to the University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center’s (ERC) 24th Annual Pilot Research Project (PRP) Symposium on October 12-13, 2023 held at the University of Cincinnati, Kettering Lab Complex. The purpose of the PRP is to increase the research capacity of research trainees and young investigators in occupational health and safety and to encourage those in related disciplines to pursue occupational health and safety research.  

Under the administrative direction of Dr. Amit Bhattacharya and Dr. Gordon Gillespie, research proposals are solicited and peer-reviewed annually by qualifying faculty and graduate students from the University of Cincinnati and the following PRP partnering institutions – Air Force Institute of Technology, Bowling Green State University, University of Toledo – Health Science Campus, Central State University, Purdue University, University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University, Murray State University, Ohio University and Kentucky State University.   

At this symposium, the 2022-23 awardees will be presenting the results of their research and the 2023-24 awardees will make poster presentations of their proposed work. The keynote speaker is Dr. Sergey Grinshpun, Professor Emeritus at the University of Cincinnati, presenting on “Respiratory Protection: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond.” 

The University of Cincinnati’s Education and Research Center is one of 18 national centers funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Dr. Amit Bhattacharya serves as the director of the ERC, which is based in the University’s Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences within the College of Medicine. The purpose of the ERC is to train professionals in the didactic and research skills necessary to lead in occupational safety and health disciplines. Results of research are translated into action through an outreach program and shared with professionals and practitioners in the region via continuing education.  

Since 1999, the PRP program has allocated over $1.68 million to support 281 pilot research projects. These projects have served as a catalyst in bringing over $43 million in additional research support to the region from sources independent of the PRP program, such as, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Institutes of Health (NIH), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, the PRP has brought 66 new investigators from other fields of expertise to the area of occupational safety and health research. 

Welcome Remarks

Keynote Presenter - Dr. Sergey Grinshpun

Respiratory Protection: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Sergey Grinshpun received his Ph.D. degree in Physics (Aerosol Science) in 1987 from Odessa University in Ukraine. In 1991, he joined the University of Cincinnati as a visiting faculty member and was later promoted to a tenured Professor of Environmental Health. In light of his partial retirement in 2022, the university awarded him with the title of Professor-Emeritus.  

Dr. Grinshpun has been engaged in research on respiratory protection, aerosol transport, exposure assessment, and air purification. His research involving biological aerosol particles has been recognized as critical for the development of novel methods for biodefense and biosecurity. He has been involved in national and international efforts aimed at mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic. His research programs have been supported by several agencies, including, but not limited to the CDC, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, EPA, and NIEHS, as well as international organizations and major industries. As the founding director of the University of Cincinnati’s Center for Health-Related Aerosol Studies (2000-present), he has managed tens of millions of dollars in research funding. Dr. Grinshpun mentored 55 graduate students as well as 28 postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars and junior faculty members from 16 countries worldwide. 

Dr. Grinshpun has been a keynote speaker and panelist at national and international conferences, as well as a guest lecturer at various universities and research institutions of 20+ countries in Europe, America, Asia, and Australia. He has authored or co-authored over 670 scientific publications. He has served on panels convened by the National Academies (USA), the Council of Canadian Academies, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and several US federal agencies. He has also served on the Editorial Boards of eight scientific journals with international circulation. Dr. Grinshpun’s research results and expert opinions have been frequently featured in the media including ABC News, BBC News, Forbes, Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, Science Daily, The Wall Street Journal, United Press International, US News and World Report, USA Today, Washington Post, Xinhua Press, and others. His accomplishments were recognized through 14 national and international awards.

Podium Presentations

Poster Presentations

Participating Universities

Air Force Institute of Technology, Bowling Green State University, Central State University, Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Murray State University, Ohio University, Purdue University, University of Cincinnati, University of Kentucky, University of Toledo – Health Science Campus, Western Kentucky University

Steering Committee

Air Force Institute of Technology: Jeremy Slagley, PhD; Lt Col Casey Cooper

Bowling Green State University: Clare Barratt, PhD

Central State University: Kathleen Carter, RD, PhD; Kazi Islam, PhD 

Eastern Kentucky University: Gary Brown, DrPH, CIH, RS, DAAS; Ashlee Davis, MS, CIH, CSP, DrPH (ABD)

Kentucky State University: Robert Durborow, PhD; Avinash Tope, PhD

Murray State University: Oluwabunmi Dada, PhD; David Wilbanks, PhD

Ohio University: Tao Yuan, PhD

Purdue University: Ellen Wells, PhD, MPH, MEM; Jae Hong Park, PhD

University of Cincinnati: Amit Bhattacharya, PhD, CPE; Kermit Davis, PhD; Gordon Gillespie, PhD, DNP, RN; Tom Huston, PhD; Jay Kim, PhD; John Reichard, PhD; Glenn Talaska, PhD, CIH; Vic Wulsin, MD

University of Kentucky: T. Scott Prince, MD, MSPH

University of Toledo—Health Science Campus: April Ames, PhD

Western Kentucky University: Ritchie Taylor, PhD; Edrisa Sanyang, PhD, MPH, MS

Acknowledgments

This program is supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Pilot Research Project (PRP) Training Program of the University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center Grant# T42/OH008432

Thank you to the Ohio Association of Occupational Health Nurses for sponsoring the 2023 symposium!

A sincere thank you to our PRP Steering Committee donors for their continued support of the PRP program and the steering committee members who volunteered to be judges, panelists, and moderators at the symposium.

PRP Symposium Planning Committee
Amit Bhattacharya, Gordon Gillespie, Jessica Bloomer, Kermit Davis, Brandon Workman, and Amy Itescu

UC ERC Graduate Student PRP Committee
Obariase Efosa, Judith Arthur, Kyle Siefert, Joseph Nyakundi, Christina Kander, Frank Harris, Supreet Khare, Angie Thiel, Julie Florentin, Han Tran, Thomas Gerding, John Singletary, Ryan Bellacov, Xinyi Niu, Amour Dondi