Grants

Baruch College Campus High School

Convert existing cafeteria into a multiuse space, currently they have no auditorium nor place for students to study/gather.

NIH

This VA Merit proposal is part of a BLR&D/CSR&D Collaborative Merit Award for traumatic brain injury (TBI; BCCMA) proposal (RFP #BX-24-007) involving four separate but integrated proposals that together investigate the overarching model that TBI impacts cognitive phenotypes and emotion dysregulation via multiple pathways, which in turn increase risk of suicide. The rationale for the collaborative project is to translationally evaluate, across animals and humans, several pathways in the CNS, PNS, and brain-gut axis related to emotion regulation. Specific to this project is the utilization a rat model of TBI to discern the causal relationships between TBI, emergent changes in brainstem noradrenergic neurons functioning, and emotional reactivity to fear-eliciting stimuli. The TBI model involves a lateral fluid percussion injury to male and female Sprague Dawley (SD) rat brain dura. This injury causes long-lasting changes in sensory reactivity (acoustic startle response) and sex specific changes to brainstem functioning, including in the locus coeruleus (LC). The LC provides norepinephrine signaling to forebrain areas and the autonomic nervous system, supporting both CNS and PNS components of arousal and emotional reactions. Emotional reactivity in this model will be assessed by measuring fear reactions to learned threats (fear potentiated startle) and unlearned threats (predator odor enhanced startle). Using these two primary assessments of elicited emotional reactivity, LC and central and peripheral norepinephrine signaling contributions to TBI-induced emotional reactivity will be functionally assessed up to 6 months post-injury. This will involve pharmacologically manipulating central and peripheral noradrenergic signal reception and activating versus inactivating the LC during the emotional reactivity tests post-injury. Identified sex specific effects of TBI on the LC morphology and functioning will be further investigated involving signals of chronic neuroinflammation (females) and reductions in orexin signaling (males). Secondary measures will include autonomic nervous system responses (ECG) determine if the TBI changes the balance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system during pretest baseline assessments and during emotional reactivity testing. Tertiary measures include repeated collection of fecal samples over the 6 months post-injury to determine if the animal model exhibits a shift in gut bacteria diversity, as previously reported in patients with a prior history of TBI. Although not necessary, these additional secondary and tertiary measures will promote increased face and construct validity between the animal model of TBI and measures taken from Veterans at collaborating sites. In all, this proposed research project will provide critical information regarding potential sex differences in how TBI causes emotional dysregulation and the contribution of the brainstem LC and associated noradrenergic circuits to that dysregulation. These are all highly translational experimental goals that will provide causal/mechanistic connections between TBI and the emotional processes. Combined with the greater collaborative project, the parallel analogous assessments will provide a unique, potentially synergistic, opportunity to address how TBI increases suicide risk in Veterans.

NIH

Older Veterans have a greater burden of multi-morbidity compared to the general population, resulting in frequent and re-occurring inpatient hospitalizations. The inability to recover from hospital acquired muscle weakness is linked to hospital readmittance, morbidity, and pre-mature mortality after discharge. Unfortunately, there are no effective strategies to accelerate rehabilitation from disuse muscle atrophy and weakness acquired during hospitalization. Disuse atrophy accelerates age-related changes in muscle composition that may be more relevant to physical performance than simple measures of muscle mass. Our previous VA supported preclinical studies in older mice show that AdipoRon treatment, a pharmacological activator of adiponectin receptors, rejuvenates systemic metabolism and corrects age-related impairments in muscle metabolism, composition, and function. This project will determine if AdipoRon could also be effective in accelerating recovery from disuse atrophy in the context of aging. The specific aims are 1) determine the effectiveness of AdipoRon to stimulate skeletal muscle mitochondria to mitigate disuse atrophy and/or accelerate recovery, 2) define the life-phase impact of AdipoRon on muscle atrophy and recovery focusing on the intersection of metabolism and growth processes. Mice of different ages will be treated with AdipoRon to activate mitochondrial metabolism using a two-phase design: a) during hind limb suspension, b) during recovery. Recovery at the tissue and functional levels will be determined in vivo and ex vivo, quantifying skeletal muscle contractile function, composition, mitochondrial and lipid metabolism, intramuscular adiposity, and fiber shrinkage and fibrosis. Systemic indices include glucoregulatory function, adiposity, and adipokine and inflammatory signaling that will be correlated with tissue restoration and functional performance. A combination of targeted histological approaches and unbiased molecular approaches (transcriptomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and kinetic proteomics) will define the disuse atrophy and recovery trajectory. Synergy among projects includes dynamics of proteostasis in collaboration with Project 1 and translational systemic indices that inform about muscle health in collaboration with Projects 3 and 4. Clinical insights will be reverse translated and analyzed against a) pathology of disuse atrophy and b) trajectory of recovery without or with AdipoRon treatment. Collectively, these studies will address whether rejuvenating aspects of metabolism during and after hind-limb unloading can help protect against disuse atrophy and expedite recovery. This work is significant given the lack of available therapeutic options to address the problem of impaired recovery following hospital acquired muscle weakness common to older Veterans.

NIH

ABSTRACT – Project 3 Despite advances in prevention and intervention, cardiometabolic disorders (CMDs) disparities are persistent in our veterans and their families. While both genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to the pathogenesis of CMDs (including type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2D], hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and fatty liver), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an early predictor of metabolic dysregulation associated with impaired insulin action, and increased risks for CMDs. A recent liver biopsy study revealed the prevalence of NAFLD as 94.82% in patients with metabolic syndrome and 100% in patients with T2D. However, identifying these individuals responsive to early intervention remain a bottleneck due to the limited non-invasive strategies to monitor CMD risk factors and vascular dysfunction. To this end, we seek to demonstrate a wearable sensor for both metabolic and vascular monitoring of CMD biomarkers and vascular dysfunction for personalized prevention and intervention. Recent advances in wearable technology has enabled monitoring changes in physiologically relevant metabolites from perspiration (sweat) and detecting the characteristics of vascular function or known as pulse wave velocity (PWV) for arterial stiffness. These advances allow for developing the multimodal wearable system to monitor a panel of CMD biomarkers, including glucose, uric acid (UA), cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and nitric oxide (NO·) in response to nutrition intervention. In collaboration with the Clinical Core (Center for Human Nutrition and Obesity) (Li, Project 1 PI), we propose to continuously monitor CMD participants in response to three nutrition interventions: Mediterranean diet (MED), high-fat/low carb diet (HF/LC), and low-fat diet (LF). Our general hypothesis is that multimodal detection of metabolic biomarkers (i.e., glucose, insulin, TG, and NO) and vascular dysfunction would accelerate our capacity to predict veterans responsive to personalized nutrition intervention for early prevention of CMD risk. Project 3 PI (Hsiai) and Co-Investigators (Gao from Caltech and Li from Human Nutrition) have demonstrated the feasibility to implement the wearable prototypes to monitor biomarkers, including uric acid and insulin (Nat Biotech and Nat Biomed Eng) at the Center for Human Nutrition (Project 1: Li).10, 11 Project 2 (Chen) has collaborated with Project 1 to integrate diabetes-mediated biomarkers and vasculopathy, and recapitulated the biomarkers and endothelial dysfunction with Project 3. To test our general hypothesis, we have 3 aims. In Aim 1, we plan to demonstrate wearable metabolic sweat sensors for continuous monitoring of CMD biomarkers. In Aim 2, we plan to demonstrate wearable vascular sensors to detect basal levels and changes in vascular function. In Aim 3, we plan to integrate the metabolic and vascular monitoring to identify CMD veterans responsive to the specific nutrition interventions. In collaboration with data scientists to embrace social determinants of health (SDoH), we have developed artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to analyze basal levels and changes in these CMD markers after nutrition interventions and to classify veterans who develop reduced risk factors for CMD-realted NAFLD, and to better identify the responders for personalized intervention. The success of this project will result in three key products: 1) a wearable multimodal system for seamless monitoring of metabolic biomarkers and vascular dysfunction; 2) multimodal detection of metabolic biomarkers (i.e., glucose, insulin, UA, TG, and NOx) along with vascular functional phenotypes (HR, HRV and PWV) to enhance prediction of CMD risk; and 3) a low-cost and remote sensor to improve access for our socioeconomically disadvantaged veterans to mitigate their CMD risk.

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Abstract Up to 3.5 billion dollars is spent each year, in the US alone, to manage bladder infections and their recurrence. The intractability of these infections is attributable, in part, to the capacity of bladder bacteria to persist in the bladder long after infection resolution only to remerge as another flareup. In view of the fact that antibiotics are largely ineffective there is a dire need for alternate approaches to protect against these infections. We have found that a single bladder treatment of live attenuated Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), an FDA approved therapy for bladder cancer, along with a peptide capable of disrupting the superficial epithelium was highly efficacious in protecting against uropathogenic E.coli (UPEC) mediated infection. Since tumor fighting properties of BCG is associated with their persistence in the bladder and their capacity to recruit Th1 cells, the protection against UPEC is probably also mediated, at least in part, by Th1 cells. We hypothesize that we can prolong the duration of this protection by simultaneously inducing bladder recruitment of E.coli specific Th1 cells which typically have an indefinite life span. Thus, we believe that supplementing the BCG and epithelial disruptor peptide formulation with UPEC antigens would markedly prolong and enhance the protective capacity of BCG immunotherapy against UPEC bladder infections. The following specific aims are proposed: (i) Determine cellular targets of BCG uptake and persistence in the bladder, (ii) Identify the immunological basis of cross-protection induced by co-treatment with BCG bladder and epithelial disruptor peptide (iii) Evaluate the efficacy and durability of intravesical administration of an optimized formulation comprising of epithelial disruptor peptide/BCG/ UPEC antigens in combating recurrent bladder infections. It is expected that these studies will reveal a distinct, effective, and long-lasting strategy to combat intractable bladder infections. Since this strategy involves repurposing a currently utilized bladder therapy, its implementation could be relatively rapid.

CDFI

BCNA CDFI 18

CDFI

BCNA CDFI 19

NSF

The NSF ECR Building Capacity of STEM Education Research (BCSER) program contributes to the NSF mission 42 U.S. Code Chapter 16 by building the US workforce undertaking STEM education research. The BCSER Individual Investigator Development in STEM Education Research (IID) track supports individual investigators who are new to STEM education research to develop foundational skills and gain practical experience to advance STEM education knowledge through mentored professional development and pilot research activities. STEM education research generates the knowledge, theories, and understandings on which viable strategies for improving STEM education and workforce outcomes are based. This project will integrate virtual reality to enhance self-directed STEM undergraduate learning for civil engineering students. The study supports ABET student outcomes, reinforcing professional responsibility in engineering education. This BCSER IID project will allow the PI to develop foundational skills and gain practical experience in designing and implementing cutting-edge STEM education research using innovative methods and tools. The project will help the PI to develop new expertise in STEM education research and technology-enhanced learning, working with a mentor and advisory board consisting of academic and industry experts on technology integration and instruction design, as well as industry practices within the construction domain. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

While generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools and methods could help researchers discover new insights about STEM teaching and learning, researchers face three major problems: First, they haven't been trained how to use these technologies in their research. Second, the training that exists is often too technical or not specific to STEM education research. Third, researchers at resource-limited colleges and universities have even fewer opportunities and resources to learn about GenAI than their colleagues at other institutions. These challenges could mean that talented researchers will be left behind as GenAI transforms how research is designed, conducted, and disseminated, ultimately slowing advancements in STEM education research. This project addresses these challenges by creating a training program that gives researchers at resource-limited institutions the skills they need to evaluate and use GenAI effectively, which will lead to better STEM education for all students and support the National Science Foundation's goal of advancing scientific progress. The project aims to teach early- and mid-career education researchers how to use GenAI to improve studies of how students learn science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This BCSER Institutes for Methods and Practices project is designed to build the GenAI capacities of early- and mid-career STEM education researchers by training 50 participants over the course of the institute. The project aims to (1) increase the number of researchers who can effectively, ethically, and responsibly use generative AI (GenAI) in their work; (2) strengthen participants’ professional networks; and (3) expand the broader research community applying GenAI methods in STEM education. In Year 1, the team will design and launch the learning experience and curriculum. In Years 2 and 3, two cohorts of 25 researchers will engage in a year-long program that begins with a 5-day intensive, in-person training on GenAI tools, techniques, and applications across the research lifecycle—including practical and ethical considerations. This will be followed by an extended online community of practice that offers resources and support as participants integrate GenAI into their own projects. By the end of the institute, participants will have developed the skills, judgment, and confidence to use GenAI in research and continue learning in this rapidly evolving field. The project is supported by NSF's EDU Core Research Building Capacity in STEM Education Research (ECR: BCSER) program, which is designed to build investigators' capacity to carry out high-quality STEM education research. The project is also supported through a collaborative NSF activity with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Schmidt Futures, and the Walton Family Foundation. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF

The NSF ECR Building Capacity of STEM Education Research (BCSER) program contributes to the NSF mission 42 U.S. Code Chapter 16 by building the US workforce undertaking STEM education research. The BCSER Individual Investigator Development in STEM Education Research (IID) track supports individual investigators who are new to STEM education research to develop foundational skills and gain practical experience to advance STEM education knowledge through mentored professional development and pilot research activities. STEM education research generates the knowledge, theories, and understandings on which viable strategies for improving STEM education and workforce outcomes are based. This project will teach students to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in STEM as learning partners aimed at facilitating deep, self-regulated learning in organic chemistry courses. The study will compare GAI-enhanced instruction to traditional learning environments to understand student mastery of a STEM learning in undergraduate organic chemistry courses. This BCSER IID project will allow the PI to develop foundational skills and gain practical experience in designing and implementing cutting edge STEM education research using innovative methods and tools. The PI will develop new expertise in implementing cutting edge STEM education research using modern methods and tools, as wells as using generative AI tools and statistical analyses in STEM education research. The PI will work with experts in evidence-based STEM teaching methods and interdisciplinary quantitative methodologies. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

BCT Brooklyn Children's Theatre, Inc.

Long Beach Latino Civic Association

Long Beach Latino Civic Association will conduct a study of environmental hazards in the North Park area of the City of Long Beach and educate the local community about the findings of the study.

Long Beach Latino Civic Association

Long Beach Latino Civic Association will conduct a study of environmental hazards in the North Park area of the City of Long Beach and educate the local community about the findings of the study.

Long Beach Latino Civic Association

To conduct soil, air and water testing in areas flooded by Super Storm Sandy and incorporate the results into a community awareness and education effort.

Long Beach Latino Civic Association

To conduct soil, air and water testing in areas flooded by Super Storm Sandy and incorporate the results into a community awareness and education effort.

Beachwood School Foundation

Beachwood School Foundation is an active grantmaking foundation based in Beachwood, OH. Focus: education. Contact the foundation directly for current funding opportunities.

Beacon Arts

Beacon Arts will capture the experiences of community members in response to the rapid changes that have been happening in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. With facilitation by professional artists, community perspectives will be expressed in the form of visual and written works of art. These activities will happen at several popular public events on Beacon Hill held during the summer of 2017. The art work will be on public display at community events in the summer and fall of 2017.

Beacon Hill Hub

The Beacon Hill Hub will host a Business Fair on Saturday, November 9, 2019, from 12 noon to 4:00 PM at 6020 Beacon Avenue South. The goal of the project is to showcase the diversity of goods and services available on Beacon Hill. There will be activities for participants of all ages.

Safety and Community at Hanford and 16th

The community group Safety and Community at Hanford and 16th wants to make pedestrian improvements at 16th Ave. S. and S. Hanford Street. The improvements will improve safety for pedestrians in this high traffic non-arterial street. The project will install painted curb bulbs, tough posts to provide vertical definition to the space. The project will also include community outreach in the vicinity of the project, and a neighborhood gathering and celebration at the conclusion of the project. The project will be completed by early Summer. The project is free and open to public participation.

Beacon Hill Council of Seattle

North Beacon Hill Council and partner organizations are developing an online survey to poll residents regarding: a) the proposal to double the Beacon Hill urban village size in the Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan Update, b) the continued commitment to the 2010 Neighborhood Plan goals and c) other local issues. The DON Small and Simple grant will fund the translation, distribution and associated events to reach the 44% foreign born population who are non-English or limited English speaking.

Beacon Arts

Create at least one mural on private property within walking distance of the Beacon Hill Light Rail Station. Develop this imagery by engaging the community through outreach & public events on Beacon Hill. Engage and excite the neighborhood in planning and design of desirable amenities and public art in the Beacon Junction Area of Beacon Ave S and 15th Ave south.

University Settlement Society of New York, Inc.

Youth

City of Seattle — Neighborhood Matching Fund

Beacon Vision works to share the community's vision of the future Beacon Town Center with property owners and developers to create a more livable, walkable, equitable, and charming business district. During this project, Beacon Vision will work with UW students to conduct an assessment of our town center's needs, which we will then present to people who care about Beacon Hill, gather their input, and then share it with developers and other decision makers. This project will be completed by July 2018.

Urbanglass New York Contemporary Glass Center, Inc.

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