Coming soon

We proudly recognize the following pilot grant recipients as Redstone Research Fellows:

2025

Xindi Hu, Assistant Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health, GWSPH. 
Project title: Nexus of water intake, water security and climate resilience: a system science approach to improving water security and community health in a changing climate
Co-I: Uriyoán Colón-Ramos, Associate Professor and Director, Diet Disparities Lab, Global Health, GWSPH
Co-I: Kuan-Lung Daniel Chen, Assistant Research Professor and Associate Director, CCR Research, Global Health, GWSPH
Project Description: This pilot study uses participatory systems science to examine how climate-driven water insecurity influences sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and chronic disease risk in the Navajo Nation and Puerto Rico.

Sauharda Rai, Assistant Research Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, GWSMHS.
Project title: Assessing Mental Health and Economic Impacts of Climate Hazards and Disasters on Adolescents in Low-Resource Settings (AMHEAL).
Community Partners: GW Center for Global Mental Health Equity, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO- Nepal)
Project Description: Using a mixed-methods design, this study aims to examine the mental health and associated economic impacts among adolescents in Nepal who are living at risk of climate-related hazards and disasters, with the goal of informing the development of targeted mental health interventions.

Devin LaPolt, Postdoctoral Associate, Institute for Food Safety & Nutrition Security, GWSPH.
Project title: The Role of Climate Change on Diarrheal Disease Variability in Vulnerable Populations in Ethiopia
Co-PI: Barbara Kowalcyk, Associate Professor and Director, Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security, GWSPH
Community Partner: Desalegn A Ayana, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
Project Description: Climate change can exacerbate the burden of diarrheal and foodborne disease, but the impacts are rarely considered in risk assessment and management efforts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This project will address this gap by exploring how climate change impacts the incidence of foodborne and diarrheal disease in Ethiopia.

Yashan Wang, PhD Candidate, Environmental and Occupational Health, GWSPH.
Project title: Unraveling the Climate-Resistance Link: How Climate Change and Agricultural Antifungal Use May Be Driving the Emergence of Drug-Resistant Aspergillus tubingensis Infections in California
Co-PI: Lance B. Price, Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health, GWSPH
Community Partners: Kaiser Permanente Southern California, National Allergy Bureau
Project Description: This project explores how climate change and agricultural fungicide application may be driving the rise of drug-resistant Aspergillus infections in California, with a focus on farmworkers and climate-vulnerable communities.

2020

Uriyoán Colón-Ramos, Associate Professor, Global Health. 2020 and 2017 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research into tap water drinking behaviors among Latino children and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption at Latino-serving independent restaurants. In 2018, Dr. Colón-Ramos was part of a team that developed a nutrition program evaluation course for program managers in Latin America as part of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO). Publications: Formative Research to Design a Promotional Campaign to Increase Drinking Water among Central American Latino Youth in an Urban Area.

Sameera Talegawkar, Associate Professor, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. 2020 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for biological stress among South Asian immigrants in the U.S. Dr. Talegawkar’s research focuses on the role of diet and other lifestyle factors on chronic disease risk in minority populations, and on age-related functional declines in older individuals.

Karina R. Lora, Teaching/Research Assistant Professor, Exercise and Nutrition Science. 2020 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research into culturally appropriate nutrition and physical activity weight-loss behavioral intervention for Central American men living in Washington, D.C.

2019

Aubrey Villalobos, DrPH candidate, Health Behavior. 2019 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research on breastfeeding norms among African American women.

Monica Hubal, Professorial Lecturer, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Dr. Hubal’s research focuses on identifying ideal intervention strategies to regain health as well as the factors that make some people more prone to developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiometabolic disease, especially in early life.

Michael Long, Assistant Professor, Prevention and Community Health. Dr. Long conducts research at the intersection of epidemiology and quantitative policy analysis with the goal of identifying cost-effective and politically feasible policy solutions to promote community health.

2018

Kate Applebaum, Associate Professor, Environment and Occupational Health. 2018 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research on physical activity and kidney health in Central American agricultural workers.

Allison Sylvetsky Meni, Assistant Professor, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. 2018 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research on associations between low-calorie sweeteners, diet quality and metabolic risk in adolescents with diabetes. Publications: Consumption of Low-calorie Sweetened Beverages is Associated with Higher Total Energy and Sugar Intake Among Children, NHANES 2011-2016.

Amira Roess, Assistant Professor, Global Health. 2016 and 2018 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research into breastfeeding outcomes for WIC populations and the effect of breastfeeding on the microbiome in minority infants. In 2019, research funded by the Center was used as part of a successful grant application to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for a study of infant feeding behaviors and associations with infant health outcomes. Publications: Social Support for Breastfeeding in the Era of mHealth: A Content Analysis.

2017

Kim Robien, Associate Professor, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. 2017 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research on the effect of weight loss and phthalate exposure reduction on body composition among women. Dr. Robien’s research focuses on nutrition in chronic disease prevention, food access in underserved communities, environmental nutrition and sustainable food systems, and the extent to which exposure to food-borne chemicals may contribute to risk of obesity and chronic diseases.

Uriyoán Colón-Ramos, Associate Professor, Global Health. 2017 and 2020 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research into tap water drinking behaviors among Latino children and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption at Latino-serving independent restaurants. In 2018, Dr. Colón-Ramos was part of a team that developed a nutrition program evaluation course for program managers in Latin America as part of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO). Publications: Formative Research to Design a Promotional Campaign to Increase Drinking Water among Central American Latino Youth in an Urban Area.

2016

Monique Turner, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for MPH Programs, Prevention and Community Health. 2016 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research into diabetes prevention programs for young obese maternal caregivers and their children’s health. Publications: Impact of Self-Efficacy on Risk Aversion in the Context of Surgical Weight Loss Decision Scenarios.

Amira Roess, Assistant Professor, Global Health. 2016 and 2018 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research into breastfeeding outcomes for WIC populations and the effect of breastfeeding on the microbiome in minority infants. In 2019, research funded by the Center was used as part of a successful grant application to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for a study of infant feeding behaviors and associations with infant health outcomes. Publications: Social Support for Breastfeeding in the Era of mHealth: A Content Analysis.

Todd A. Miller, Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. 2016 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research into the use of strength training for fat loss. Publications: Resistance training combined with diet decreases body fat while preserving lean mass independent of resting metabolic rate: a randomized trial. 

Congratulations to the recipients!

Can doctoral candidates apply for pilot grant funding?

At this time, we are not supporting research led by doctoral candidates. We may consider offering smaller grants for PhD students’ research in the future, so please sign up for our newsletter to receive updates. 
 

Can researchers outside of GWSPH, SMHS, and the School of Nursing apply? 

While faculty and postdoctoral investigators outside of these three schools are not eligible to serve as PIs of our pilot grants, they may collaborate as co-investigators or partner with the research team in other capacities. 

What types of projects are a good fit for this grant? 

The RGC funds pilot research projects focused on climate adaptation interventions and prevention of communicable or noncommunicable diseases, particularly those that respond to community-identified health needs and align with the NIH Health and Extreme Weather Strategic Framework. 

How much funding is available, and how long do projects last?

Up to four projects will be funded, with awards ranging from $25,000–$40,000 for faculty-led projects and up to $25,000 for postdoctoral investigators. Projects must be completed within a 12-month period. 

Are community partnerships required?

Community partnerships are not mandatory but are strongly encouraged and viewed favorably in the review process. Projects that engage community partners in developing research questions and implementing the study are especially competitive. 

What are the key application deadlines?

A one-page Letter of Intent is due by March 11, 2026, and full proposals must be submitted by April 10, 2026. Funding decisions will be announced on June 1, 2026, with projects starting on July 1, 2026.