Drexel University:

Funded Research and Evaluation Grants

Catalyzing systemic change at Drexel University to support diverse faculty in health disparities research (Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST), Co-I for evaluation core  (PIs: Drs. Ana Diez-Roux and Laura Gitlin) (2021-2026): Funded by the National Institutes of Health, this project’s goals are to build a network of faculty from diverse backgrounds to advance research and scholarship that serves minority health through preparation of faculty from historically excluded backgrounds.

Integrated tele-exercise program for individuals with SCI: Physical psychological and social determinants (2022-2025), Co-I (PI: Margaret Finley): Funded by Pennsylvania Department of Health, this project’s goals are to conduct mixed methods research on psychosocial health outcomes of a telehealth intervention for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Integrated tele-exercise program for individuals with SCI: Psychological and social responses, Co-I (PI: Margaret Finley) (2022-2024): Funded by the Craig T. Neilson Foundation, this project’s goals are to conduct mixed methods research on health outcomes of a telehealth intervention for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Integrative intervention with creative arts and nutrition (I2CAN) for post-menopausal women’s health, Co-PI (PI: Deeptha Sukumar) (2022- 2024): Funded by the Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement (CURE) program, this study will examine findings from a pilot intervention on post-menopausal women’s health that incorporates creative art therapies with nutrition counseling.

Examining outcomes of indigenous and traditional arts practices on health and well-being, PI (2022-2024): Funded by the Prasad Family Foundation, this project’s goals are to conduct research in collaboration with the Maharashtra Institute of Technology in India on the health outcomes of traditional arts practices.

Effects of art therapy on symptoms of PTSD after TBI and indicators of neurophysiological response: A mixed methods feasibility study (2021-2023), PI (Co-PI on multi-PI project with John Williamson): Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Forces Initiative, the study will examine the feasibility of art therapy for veterans with TBI and PTSD using FMRI imaging as well as changes in self report and artwork data.

Effects of art therapy on symptoms of PTSD after TBI and indicators of neurophysiological response: A mixed methods feasibility study, PI (Co-PI on multi-PI project with John Williamson) (2021-2023): Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Forces Initiative, the study will examine the feasibility of art therapy for veterans with TBI and PTSD using fMRI imaging as well as changes in self report and artwork data.

Cell 2 Society Aging Research Network Award: Integrative Intervention with Creative Arts and Nutrition (I2CAN) for Post-Menopausal Women’s Health, PI (2019-2023):Funded by the Drexel University, this study will examine findings from a pilot intervention on post-menopausal women’s health that incorporates creative art therapies with nutrition counseling.

Arts Research on Chronic Stress (NEA Research Lab Grant), PI (2017-2023): Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the project involves research on arts-based approaches to managing chronic stress related health conditions and illnesses like cancer and traumatic brain injury.

Virtual Reality Based Art Therapy and FNIRS: Johns Hopkins University International Arts+Mind Lab award, PI (2019- 2021):Building on previous exploratory work on VR, this study examines blood flow in the PFC using  functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) while creating art in virtual reality.

Veterans with Gulf War Illness: Understanding the spectrum of experiences related to demographics and aging, PI (2018-2021): Funded by the Department of Defense Gulf War Illness Research Program, the study will examine the experiences of Gulf War veterans using narrative and arts-based methods. The study will culminate in the development of a MOOC curriculum for healthcare providers.

Evaluation of the NSF-IRT Grant, PI for evaluation (2016-2019): Funded by the National Science Foundation, the evaluation assesses outcomes for graduate student creativity and learning in biology and anthropology for a STEM initiative.

Virtual Reality Based Art Therapy, PI (2017): Funded by Drexel University and the International Arts+Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University, the study examines ways to integrate virtual reality into art therapy approaches as well as pilot outcomes.

Evaluation of the Save the children’s Healing and education through the arts (HEART) initiative (2007-2017), Research and Evaluation consultant: Funded by Save the Children USA, the project is a multisite evaluation of the healing and education through the arts initiative. The project uses a mixed methods design to assess outcomes of art participation on preschool children in trauma zones.

Neuro-inflammation and Gender (Drexel Areas of Research Excellence Grant) (2016), Co-I (PI: John Bethea): Funded by the Drexel University, the project involves interdisciplinary collaborations and analysis of physiological indicators of health and wellbeing.

Arts-Based Approaches to Spiritual Well-Being at the End of Life, CO-PI (PI: Flo Gelo) (2015): Funded by The Foundation for Spirituality and Medicine, the project involves analysis of physiological, survey, and narrative data from an arts based intervention for patients and caregivers at the end-of-life.

Research on Art Therapy for Active Duty Military Service Members with PTSD and TBI, PI for research and evaluation (multiple PI project) (2015): Funded by Creative Forces (sourced from the National Endowment for the Arts), the project involves analysis of art therapy data from active duty military service members at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and additional sites across the country.

Research on Art Therapy for Active Duty Military Service Members with PTSD and TBI, PI / Research Consultant (2015): Funded by The Writer’s Center and sourced from the National Endowment for the Arts, the project involves research and evaluation of arts therapy data from the Walter Reed National Medical Center: National Intrepid Center of Excellence.

Research and Evaluation of the Art of Growing Leaders, PI for evaluation (2014-2015): Funded by ArtWell, a community arts organization the evaluation uses a mixed methods approach including arts based data to assess the impact of a youth identity and leadership development initiative.

Drexel University Career Development Award Grant, PI (2014-2015): The project funds a pilot entitled “Understanding the underlying mechanisms of health and human development through self expression in the creative arts” and a guest speaker series.

Evaluation of the Allentown Principal Leadership Initiative (2010-2015), PI for evaluation subcontract: Funded through the U.S. Department of Education School Leadership Program grant. The project is a collaboration between the Allentown School District, Lehigh University and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Evaluation of the Young Leaders Training program (2012-2013), PI: Funded by Abraham’s Path through a grant from the Fetzer Institute, the evaluation examined the effectiveness of leadership training initiative for young leaders and entrepreneurs from Jordan, Israel, Palestine, and Turkey. The program seeks to build regional cooperation and interfaith understanding through tourism and walking trails along Abraham’s Path.

Evaluation of the NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholar Fellowship Grant (2010-2013), PI for evaluation: Funded by Temple University through a grant from the National Science Foundation and Temple University the project evaluated outcomes of the Robert Noyce scholarships which provide tuition support for students interested in careers as math and science educators in high needs urban schools. The evaluation examined the impact of financial support on student commitments to education.

Evaluation of the Philadelphia High School Leadership Project, PI for evaluation subcontract (2008-2013): Funded through the U.S. Department of Education School Leadership Program grant, the project was a collaboration between the School District of Philadelphia, Lehigh University, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Evaluation of the OxfamAmerica Gender mainstreaming, Learning and Accountability Initiative (2012), Co-PI: Funded by OxfamAmerica, the evaluation examined the effectiveness and impact of a five year initiative to address gender disparities within the organization, its grantees and regional program partners.

Evaluation of the Teacher Incentive Fund in Philadelphia, Co-PI for evaluation subcontract (2008-2011): Funded by U.S. Department of Education the project was a large mixed methods longitudinal study that examined the impact of differentiated payouts and professional development on teacher and student outcomes.

Provost’s Seed Grant on Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Arts Education, Co-PI (2009-2010): A collaboration between the Tyler School of Art, the Boyer School of Music and Dance, the College of Education, and the Institute on Disabilities, the project resulted in the development of three syllabi that integrated the arts into courses for pre-service elementary, middle grades, and established teachers at Temple University.