In FY2024, sixteen CoRE teams with members representing 98 UNH faculty and staff from across the university, as well as 22 external partners, were awarded funding.
Interdisciplinary Working Groups (IWG) support groups of faculty (up to $15,000 for projects lasting one year) to convene around research topic areas to build awareness and relationships across disciplines, allow for cross-fertilization of ideas, identify potential collaborative research opportunities, and provide a venue for finding partners.
"Crossing the Head-of-Tide Divide": Completing the Hydrological Continuum
Lead: Gregg Moore (Dept. of Biological Sciences, COLSA)
Abstract: Estuaries represent some of the most biologically productive areas on Earth. Along the eastern seaboard of the USA, alone, there are approximately 900 recognized estuaries, including economically important estuaries along the New England coastline. Many estuaries support highly productive fisheries representing critical economic inputs to regional communities; however, many have been significantly degraded due to extensive development in coastal regions which have added excess nutrients and pollution and promoted the loss and alteration of habitat including critical wetlands. One challenge to understanding these critical ecosystems is that they are fully integrative of broad climate and atmospheric processes, and terrestrial, riparian, and aquatic ecosystems reflected in freshwater and riverine inputs. Here we propose an interdisciplinary working group that brings together stream and river ecologists who traditionally work “higher” in the watershed and wetland and estuarine scientists who often focus on coastal processes functionally decoupled from higher order aquatic systems. We argue there is a significant disconnect between these two scientific groups despite freshwater and estuarine ecosystems being physically, chemically, and biologically linked. A holistic understanding of estuaries and how they will respond to future global change pressures requires a fully integrated perspective that leverages expertise from these two groups at the very least. As part of our Interdisciplinary Work Group, we propose a series of workshops where freshwater and estuarine researchers converge to cross the “head-of-tide divide” and complete the hydrologic continuum between upper watershed and freshwater processes and estuarine and coastal processes. Our working groups will focus on two model systems to begin the integration of ideas: the Great Bay Estuary (GBE) in New Hampshire and Great Marsh Estuary (GME) in Massachusetts. Given the strength of research with GBE - GBNERR network in NH (including the Lamprey River Hydrological Observatory) and the Plum Island LTER in MA, these are ideal model systems containing a wealth of data that have yet to be fully integrated.
Exploring Interdisciplinary Approaches and Institutional Capacity in Citizen and Community Science at UNH
Leads: Malin Clyde (UNH Cooperative Extension) and Alyson Eberhardt (NH Sea Grant Extension, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space)
Abstract: Citizen and community science (CCS) are research methods where professional scientists and members of the public collaborate to investigate the world. CCS projects and scholarship are well-established in Cooperative Extension and NH Sea Grant, yet opportunities for collaboration with faculty and other sectors of the UNH academic community – and with external partners – are so far underemployed. Led by Extension educators, our proposal assembles a diverse 13-member team of faculty, Sea Grant, Extension, Institute, library, and external partners to explore ways to improve and expand CCS practices and partnerships at UNH. We propose to work as a group and in subcommittees to 1) research the breadth and extent of CCS methods used by UNH researchers, educators, and external partners and other universities, 2) explore new partnerships around CCS in the region among faculty, Extension, and external partners, and 3) compile best practices for furthering such partnerships going forward. Our vision for this IWG is to bring together multiple disciplines and draw on our diverse experiences in CCS to co-create a vision for UNH as a leader in CCS work, strengthening the land-grant mission and strategic priorities of the university, unlocking new resources, and increasing the institution’s potential to attract highly qualified students and future faculty interested in engaged scholarship generally and CCS work specifically.
Cultivating Regional Collaborations in Community-Based Trail Development
Lead: Jada Lindblom (Cooperative Extension, Community and Economic Development)
Abstract: This interdisciplinary working group (IWG) aims to enhance knowledge of how regional collaborations may most effectively function in community-based outdoor recreation projects and specifically about the community dynamics that influence the execution and outcomes of trail development projects. This proposed IWG project leverages recent momentum from a regional gathering of trails-focused organizations in Central New Hampshire and applies preliminary data from these groups toward facilitating greater collaboration and partnerships in community-based trail projects. Addressing identified needs, this project intends to bring particular focus to the topics of securing grants and funding, creating linkages between distinct trail systems and regional amenities, improving access for a broader diversity of trail users, and proactively fostering the next generation of trail stewards. The proposed project design utilizes the delivery of educational programming as an integral part of research exploration. Using principles of participatory action research (PAR), the IWG engages regional trail stakeholders in an iterative, year-long process of engagement, education, reflection, and assessment, serving as a case study of how regional collaboration in trail development may most effectively be fostered. In doing so, the project aims to achieve two goals: 1) to enhance stakeholders’ organizational capacity and help them reach their trail development goals by responding directly to their identified needs and interests; and 2) to generate data and insights that UNH researchers and Extension specialists can apply more broadly to assist communities and recreation stakeholders working to develop trails to enhance their communities’ health, access to nature, quality of life, and economic development.
Website: https://sites.usnh.edu/dirt/
CCLEO Vision
Lead: Maeve Dion (Dept. of Security Studies, UNH Manchester)
Abstract: UNH should have a hub for communicating the breadth of cybersecurity activities across the university and for monitoring state-wide cybersecurity initiatives to help identify gaps, develop solutions, and raise awareness. Such a hub would directly support the university’s strategic objectives to Embrace New Hampshire and Expand Academic Research & Excellence. This CCLEO Vision IWG contributes an important step toward creating that hub by developing a vision and recommendations for (a) how the hub could become an effective and sustainable resource for promoting and facilitating cybersecurity efforts across the university and (b) how the university can better support cybersecurity initiatives for New Hampshire local governments and small businesses.
Transatlantic Sustainability Initiative
Leads: Ileana Chirila (Dept. of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, COLA) and Rebecca Sideman (Dept. of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems, COLSA)
Abstract: The IWG Transatlantic Sustainability Initiative brings together a group of faculty and researchers from across colleges, departments, and disciplines to develop a strategic plan for integrating UNH’s commitment to sustainability into a more deliberate collaboration with interested European partners. These partnerships would allow reciprocal study of our models and successes and create mobility opportunities for students, faculty, and invested community members. The initial focus will be on building relationships and formal connections with institutions in France, a leader in the area of sustainable food and agriculture. The long-term goal is to create the foundation for a permanent Transatlantic Sustainability Initiative that will synergize with UNH Sustainability Institute efforts. The Transatlantic Sustainability Initiative will allow students, faculty, and community members to expand these connections to other European countries—including Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy — and to other areas of sustainable endeavors.
Pilot Research Partnerships (PRP) Projects seed-funds collaborative research projects for one year with strong potential to attract future funding from external sources and/or with outstanding commercial potential.
Investigating a Service and Support Ecosystem that Promotes Thriving Across Neurodiverse Students at University of New Hampshire
Lead: Jeffrey Halpern (Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, CEPS)
Abstract: Neurodiversity, or the way brain functions, processes, and behaves vary across people, is increasingly relevant in educational contexts. An estimated 15-20% of the world population exhibits some form of neurodivergence, such as variations associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or dyslexia. For example, the CDC estimates that the number of children ages 3-17 who have ever been diagnosed with ADHD is approximately 6 million (CDC); in New Hampshire, between 23,000 and 30,000 children were estimated to be diagnosed with ADHD. With increased supports, there has been an increase in the number of neurodivergent individuals attending college. These trends illuminate the pressing need for leading higher education institutions to better understand the unique needs and best practices for mentoring and supporting neurodivergent students. To that end, a group of interdisciplinary scholars, who are independently conducting neurodiversity research, are proposing a pilot research partnership with the objective of illuminating best practices to build an effective ecosystem that systematically supports inclusivity and thriving among neurodiverse students at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). This preliminary work will focus on STEM undergraduate students, with the long-term goal of generalizing findings to other disciplines within the University system. Proposal deliverables include at least two publications and at least one grant application(s) for additional funding. The resulting work will help inform future research collaborations among team members as well as the efforts of the UNH Neurodiversity Center Task Force and DEI efforts across campus. Finally, the work is intended to spark additional scholarly efforts outside of UNH, enhancing the reputation of UNH as a leader in the neurodiversity space.
Ocular Toxoplasmosis in the Newt: A Clinically Relevant Model for Studying Retinal Regeneration
Lead: Victoria Jeffers (Dept. of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, COLSA)
Abstract: Vision impairment is experienced by most people over the age of 50 and is responsible for significant loss of quality of life and annual global losses of $411 billion due to decreased productivity. The most common cause of vision impairment is age-related macular degeneration, where the light-sensitive cells in the retina that line the back of the eye are damaged and die. Many other conditions such as trauma or infection with parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, can similarly cause damage to the retina, leading to permanent loss of sight. Humans are unable to heal the retina and there is currently no treatment that can repair a damaged retina and restore sight. Salamanders and newts have a miraculous regenerative ability to regrow lost limbs and even regenerate their retina after its complete removal. The goal of this study is to develop a clinically relevant infection model in the newt that can be used to study the molecular mechanisms underlying newt retinal regeneration. We will deliver Toxoplasma parasites to the newt retina to establish infection, leading to development of retinal lesions, as observed in human disease. Treatment of the newts with an antiparasitic drug will kill the parasites and provide us with the unique opportunity to observe retinal regeneration at the cellular and molecular level. Understanding how the newt regrows its retina may one day provide the opportunity to restore eyesight in vision impaired patients.
Discovering Non-Rare Earth Permanent Magnets with Triangular Symmetry
Lead: Jiadong Zang (Dept. of Materials Science, Physics & Astronomy, CEPS)
Abstract: Permanent magnets have found their applications everywhere in modern industry, clean energy in particular. The materials for realizing strong ferromagnetism are unfortunately extremely rare; most real applications rely on materials with rare earth elements, which are hard to get and suffer from uncertainty in supply chains. It is a national priority to search for substitutive materials, however the progress has been very limited over the past decades. The key to enable permanent magnet is to achieve high magnetic anisotropy. Inspired by their groundbreaking discovery of potential magnetic materials with strong anisotropy in triangular systems, Zang group plans to conduct a more comprehensive materials discovery. Magnetic materials with triangular symmetry will be screened from the database, and screened candidates will be further studied using first-principles calculations. The theoretical effort will be supported by the experimental collaborators who will provide experience on material synthesis and characterizations. The proposed work is suitable to funding opportunities in NSF, DOE, DoD, and private foundations. Success of the whole project could change the landscape of magnetism research and significantly impact industrial ecosystem.
Facilitators and Barriers to Compliance: A Pilot Study of the Mechanisms Available to High School Administrators for Implementing Title IX Legislation
Lead: Elizabeth Moschella-Smith (Prevention Innovations Research Center, Office of Research, Economic Engagement, and Outreach)
Abstract: The proposed CoRE Pilot Research Partnership (PRP) project brings together the expertise of two of the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) nationally and internationally recognized research centers, Prevention Innovations Research Center (PIRC) and Crimes against Children Research Center (CCRC), to collect pilot data on how high school personnel respond to sexual harassment and sexual violence (SHV), which are considered sex discrimination under Title IX, including SHV perpetrated by students against other students. SHV contributes to poor mental and physical health among adolescents and increases the risk for future victimization in adulthood. Additionally, over the past two years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health have detailed the increase in mental health illness, including suicidal ideation, among adolescents as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding to the existing challenges faced by SHV victims. Through their research with high school students, UNH researchers at both centers have noted that despite Title IX requirements for high schools to provide policies, protocols, and procedures, as well as designated personnel, to address all forms of SHV, high school personnel respond to SHV perpetrated between students in a wide variety of ways. We propose to study the implementation and outcomes of Title IX policies by (1) systematically collecting quantitative data about the Title IX policies, protocols, and procedures at 250 high schools, and (2) conducting 40 interviews with a subsample of principals, Title IX staff, former students who are survivors of SHV, and parents/guardians of student survivors of SHV who will be recruited through practitioners currently working in the field. Documenting how high schools comply with Title IX requirements will advance the work of both UNH research centers and set the team up to apply for Department of Education funding to propose a comprehensive approach to addressing high school Title IX requirements, including policies, protocols, and procedures, as well as the development of guidelines, trainings, and tools that will support high school communities in supporting survivors of sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Seeing the Forest Through the Trees: The Influence of Nature-based Therapy on Biopsychosocial Measures of Stress in College Students
Lead: Gibran Mancus (Dept. of Nursing, CHHS)
Abstract: The use of nature-based therapy to mitigate the impact of mental health symptomology may offer a novel approach to addressing gaps in the care continuum. Nature-based therapy may help extend care opportunities in under-resourced areas, including low income and rural communities, as access to nature tends to be more equitable and affordable than traditional therapy. The proposed pilot feasibility study will examine the influence of nature-based therapy on well-being. Our randomized control trial will investigate how a brief nature exposure in UNH’s College Woods (v. outdoors in a more populated area) modifies physiological activity associated with changes in arousal or stress (i.e., cortisol, oxytocin, heart rate, respiratory sinus arrhythmia) as well as self-reported psychological indicators of stress (i.e., changes in affect, perceived stress, attention restoration, and depression and anxiety symptom severity) in a sample of UNH students (n=70). Participants are randomized to two study groups: the intervention group (College Woods) or the control (Thompson Lawn). We will continuously record peripheral physiological activity while students rest in a camping chair for 15 minutes in two different locations: UNH’s College Woods and Thompson Lawn facing Main Street. Our first aim is to examine mental (e.g., affect, stress, restoration, etc.) and physical health (e.g., heart rate, respiratory sinus arrhythmia) outcomes of exposure to a natural environment, specifically sitting in the University of New Hampshire College Woods. We hypothesize that participants who sit in the woods will experience improvement in affect, stress (decreased), restoration, heart rate (decreased), and respiratory sinus arrhythmia. Our second aim is to examine the effect of nature exposure on salivary markers of physiological stress (cortisol levels) and physiological wellbeing (oxytocin), and we hypothesize that cortisol levels will decrease, and oxytocin levels will increase.
Inclusion and Access in Big Data Ecological Monitoring
Lead: Easton White (Dept. of Biological Sciences, COLSA)
Abstract: Species monitoring programs are a cornerstone of modern ecological and conservation research. Ideally, these monitoring programs would be designed to ensure they provide sufficient evidence to inform management decisions. However, monitoring programs are often constrained by the available technology, funding cycles, academic calendars, and personnel availability, which can severely limit their effectiveness. Important considerations for monitoring program design include budgetary constraints, site selection, monitoring frequency, and monitoring effort. In addition, as databases of species monitoring continue to grow, tools and training are needed to ensure access to the information. To address these gaps, we will leverage existing long-term programs and associated datasets to develop best practices for combining and analyzing disparate taxa and data types. We will examine potential sources of bias in these projects. We will use the project as an opportunity to conduct training and research for students in big data ecology. This Research Pilot Partnership brings together experts in data synthesis, statistical analysis, ecological monitoring, and biology education. Collectively, our findings will be important for decision-makers and data producers who need to prioritize spending on monitoring as well as make decisions about management actions based on monitoring. In addition, this project will lay the foundation for additional grant proposals for both working groups and research projects generally.
Innovating Seabird Monitoring Practices in the Gulf of Maine through Interdisciplinary Partnerships
Lead: Elizabeth Craig (Shoals Marine Laboratory, Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space)
Abstract: We propose a new, interdisciplinary partnership that aims to innovate the monitoring framework for New Hampshire's threatened seabirds. By leveraging the expertise and capabilities of the Shoals Marine Laboratory, the Earth Systems Research Center, the Department of Earth Sciences, and the Department of Biological Sciences at UNH, we will develop a non-invasive, high-resolution monitoring approach using cutting-edge remote sensing techniques. We will evaluate our new monitoring framework at an important NH tern breeding colony by simultaneously deploying passive acoustic sensors and drones in combination with ground-truthing efforts through traditional monitoring of nesting density and distribution. By directly comparing complementary measures of seabird abundance and distribution, we will determine how data from new, minimally invasive technologies correlate with traditional monitoring methods and identify new information benefits gained from increased temporal resolution and reduced behavioral disturbance. The inter-technology approach we propose in this study is unique in the field of conservation biology, aligns with UNH's areas of research excellence, addresses the needs of a key state agency, and promotes student engagement through graduate student training and mentorship.
Human-AI Collaboration on Urban Planning
Lead: Fei Han (Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, CEPS)
Abstract: Urban planning faces significant challenges due to the high skill and expertise threshold, urban systems with increasing complexity, and rapidly changing environments that demand innovative and adaptive solutions. This CoRE project aims to create a human-AI collaboration framework for urban planning by integrating artificial intelligence with human knowledge, experience, and expertise. The project will focus on three primary objectives: 1) creating a preliminary AI model to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and adaptability of flood risk assessment in urban planning; 2) understanding the current urban planning workflow and protocols, and assessing potential changes in the workflow upon the adoption of preliminary AI tools; and 3) understanding urban planners' perspectives on the acceptance of AI tools, as well as their needs and expectations regarding functionality and user experience. By assembling an interdisciplinary research team with expertise in civil and environmental engineering, system modeling, and social science, this project seeks to address the social and technological challenges in urban planning and explore the evolving roles and work experience of urban planners in the context of rapidly advancing technologies.
Understanding Self-Efficacy and Social Determinants of Health in Sports Medicine Clinicians for Concussion Care: A Multi-Dimensional Approach
Lead: Trish Kelshaw (Dept. of Kinesiology, CHHS)
Abstract: Concussions are a complex, yet prevalent issue throughout all levels and types of sports. Athletic trainers are recognized healthcare professionals who play a critical role in concussion care, and their knowledge of social determinants of health (SDOH) is essential for successful treatment and recovery of athletes. SDOH are conditions in which people are born, grow, live, and work that affect their health and quality of life. The purpose of this grant proposal is to investigate the self-efficacy of athletic trainers with regard to athletes’ SDOH during concussion care. As athletic trainers are often the first healthcare professionals to interact with athletes who have sustained a concussion, they play a crucial role in identifying SDOH that may impact the management of an athlete’s concussion. Studies have shown that a lack of understanding of SDOH can lead to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment of concussions. Therefore, our proposed study aims to determine the extent to which athletic trainers feel confident in identifying and addressing SDOH, as well as determine athletic trainers’ preparedness in mitigating the influence(s) of SDOH when treating athletes with concussions. We will use a mixed-methods approach (i.e., both quantitative and qualitative research designs) to answer our research questions. We will recruit athletic trainers from high schools, colleges, and professional sports teams across the United States. Leveraging the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Survey Service, we will deploy an online survey to collect quantitative data on athletic trainers' self-efficacy in addressing SDOH in concussion care. We will also conduct semi-structured interviews with a subset of athletic trainers to explore the factors that influence their self-efficacy with regard to concussion care. The study's expected outcomes are to identify the extent to which athletic trainers feel confident and prepared in addressing SDOH, their preparedness to mitigate SDOH during concussion care and their perceptions about the impact of SDOH on concussion care. Findings from this study will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journal publication and conference presentations, leveraged in future grant proposals, and inform strategies to improve athletic trainers’ self-efficacy in addressing SDOH in concussion care.
Strengthening Existing Centers better positions existing interdisciplinary research Centers for success, supported by a 1:1 funding match by non-OSVPR funds.
A Strategic Plan to Strengthen and Expand the Crimes Against Children Research Center (CCRC)
Leads: David Finkelhor (Crimes Against Children Research Center)
Abstract: The UNH Crimes Against Children Research Center (CCRC) has provided high quality research and information for researchers, policy makers, and practitioners about the broad range of abuse, violence and crime that occurs to children and youth since 1996. The CCRC will use CoRE funds to develop 5- and 10-year strategic plans with the help of an external consultant, Health Resources in Action (HRiA). The CCRC will use this opportunity to work on the following goals: 1) building further on its pre-eminent position in research on violence, crime and abuse of children; 2) expanding its expertise portfolio into additional policy relevant areas of research; 3) increasing its capacity to conduct impactful evaluation studies of promising programs and policies; 4) improving its translation of research findings to the public, policy makers and practitioners; 5) securing its future financial stability; and 6) engaging with additional groups of faculty, researchers and students at UNH. The work conducted through this project will allow the CCRC to transition its leadership, plan for expanded growth and improved sustainability, and pursue federal support for additional Center expansion.
Creating Interdisciplinary Graduate Training Programs Catalyzed by the Center of Integrated Biomedical and Bioengineering Research
Lead: Rick Cote (Dept. of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, COLSA)
Abstract: The goal of this Strengthening Existing Centers CoRE proposal is to request resources to develop interdisciplinary graduate training programs in bioengineering, biotechnology, and biomedical science that will significantly enhance the impact of UNH’s Center of Integrated Biomedical and Bioengineering Research (CIBBR). CIBBR is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded Center of Biomedical Research Excellence at UNH which was established in 2017, and its competitive 5-year renewal application for $10M is expected to start in July 2023. Soon, UNH will have hired over 22 faculty with NIH-relevant research programs. This unprecedented growth in research capacity is accompanied by a major challenge: enrollments of doctoral students in the graduate programs in which CIBBR faculty participate has not increased in proportion to the needs of CIBBR faculty. To address this problem, we will develop graduate student training proposals targeting two federal agencies: a proposal for the NIH predoctoral Ruth L. Kirschstein Institutional National Research Service Award (T32) Program, and a second proposal for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship Program (NRT). Establishing interdisciplinary graduate training programs in the biomedical and bioengineering sciences at UNH will (a) enhance CIBBR’s mission to support the professional development of newly hired UNH faculty, (b) accelerate research productivity of participating faculty, and (c) enhance STEM workforce development in biotechnology, bioengineering, and biomedical research. This interdisciplinary graduate training program will also promote partnerships with the private sector to establish internships for each trainee. Concerted efforts will be made to recruit students from institutions serving large populations of underrepresented groups to broaden the diversity and inclusiveness of the training program. Receiving an NIH T32 and/or an NSF NRT award will enhance UNH’s national reputation as a center of research excellence, support the continuation of UNH’s R1 Carnegie standing, promote recruitment of a diverse community of well-trained and mentored graduate student researchers, and accelerate research productivity to enable more faculty to successfully compete for major research project grants.