Jan. 15, 2021
Special interests can be assets, not hindrances, for youth with autism
Jan. 15, 2021 Kerri Nowell, assistant clinical professor in the Department of Health Psychology and a pediatric clinical psychologist at the MU Thompson Center, together with colleagues Stephen Kanne, Cynthia Brown and Courtney Jorgenson, developed the survey for caregivers of youth with autism to assess various special interests they may have and determine if those special interests were interfering with the child’s development. After analyzing nearly 2,000 responses, in addition to possible reductions of anxiety and improvements of mental health, Nowell found that many caregivers also recognize the child’s special interests as outlets that can potentially benefit them in social…
Dec. 3, 2020
Health Professions faculty receive research funding
Congratulations to the Health Professions faculty whose research projects were selected for Tier 3 funding of the UM System’s Research and Creative Works Strategic Investment. This initiative aims to invest in research and creative works over the next five years to support and address grand challenges, foster collaboration system-wide and provide instrumentation to enhance faculty research. The UM System received 74 formal proposals for Tier 3 funding, and the 23 projects that were awarded the highest ranks were approved. Six of nine Health Professions research proposals received funding. Below, in alphabetical order, are the six projects created by seven Health…
Nov. 18, 2020
MU research project to study COVID-19 immunity
Scientists conducting an interdisciplinary research project at the University of Missouri are taking blood draws of MU students, faculty and staff who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 to examine their antibody levels over a period of time. The project is designed to better understand how the human body’s immune system responds to COVID-19 post-infection. “We have learned a lot about this disease over the past several months, but there is more that needs to be understood – for instance, how do different members of the population – particularly the younger, college-age demographic who are relatively highly socially active, develop immunity to…
Nov. 11, 2020
Detecting Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms arise
MU researcher develops procedures to help identify early signs of cognitive decline Both of Andrew Kiselica’s grandfathers developed dementia when he was in graduate school. As Kiselica was going through neuropsychology training in graduate school, he saw his mother’s father become unable to walk or speak due to severe dementia. The University of Missouri researcher said that personal experience has motivated his work to identify and prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Now an assistant professor of health psychology, Kiselica recently finished a study that has resulted in procedures for defining the preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Since there are…
Oct. 30, 2020
When The 1918 Flu Pandemic Canceled Halloween, Missouri Got Creative (St. Louis Public Radio)
The coronavirus pandemic has affected numerous holidays in the United States already this year, and next on the chopping block is Halloween. It’s a familiar tale: In 1918, Halloween was officially canceled due to the flu pandemic. The Oct. 31, 1918, edition of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat declared: “Even the spirits must respect the influenza ban.” That fall marked the second and worst wave of the 1918 flu pandemic. The mortality rate was higher than that of the ongoing coronavirus spread and significantly higher than a normal flu’s. The Missouri State Board of Health warned against…
Oct. 27, 2020
Mizzou Physical Therapy Highlighted at the Educational Leadership Conference
Kirsten Mack, DPT Congratulations to the physical therapy faculty and students who recently presented research on the scholarship of teaching and learning at the virtual Educational Leadership Conference through the American Physical Therapy Association in October. Mizzou was well represented at this national event, with five presentations exploring ways to enhance outcomes on teaching and learning in physical therapy education. Please see below for a list of presentations by physical therapy faculty and students: TitleAuthors Differences in Self-Reported Health Literacy Practices Amongst First, Second, and Third-Year Physical Therapy Students Briedwell T, Stephens…
Oct. 14, 2020
Improving health care autonomy for young adults with autism
Independence has always been a driving force in Nancy Cheak-Zamora’s life. Now an associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Health Professions, she grew up undiagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disorder that can lead to difficulty reading. “Although I wasn’t receiving all the assistance or services I probably needed because I was undiagnosed, I always had supportive people in my life who encouraged me and gave me opportunities to be successful,” Cheak-Zamora said. “That encouragement fundamentally allowed me to take on more independence and work through challenges in a way that has helped me succeed in both academia…
Oct. 7, 2020
DMU Students and Faculty Recognized at SDMS Conference
Oct. 7, 2020 Several DMU students and faculty were recognized for their work at this year’s Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Conference. The conference featured an awards presentation, a keynote speech from the SDMS founder and presentations regarding advancements and best practices in sonography. Annie Hurst and Annie Lewis were awarded in the Original Research category of the W. Frederick Sample Student Excellence Award. This award is given to students demonstrating outstanding achievement in diagnostic medical sonography writing. Hurst was the first-place winner in the category for her paper, “The Impact of Sex and Height on Femoral Intercondylar Width as…
Sep. 29, 2020
A retrospective view of COVID-19
A multidisciplinary research project at the University of Missouri is collecting survey data and voluntary blood samples from a randomized sample population of MU students, faculty and staff to examine the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in the MU community. The goal is to better understand how well the MU community is responding to risk mitigation strategies already in place, as well as provide researchers with valuable information regarding individuals’ immune system responses to the coronavirus after exposure. “The risk survey asks individuals about behaviors and activities they have engaged in during the past few months, as well as their perceptions about COVID-19…
Aug. 18, 2020
PT students present at National Strength and Conditioning Association Conference
The Department of Physical Therapy wants to highlight the work of multiple physical therapy students who recently presented their research at the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) national conference. Although the 2020 NSCA pivoted to a virtual format this year, the Department of Physical Therapy was well represented with presentations by Abbie Moore (Class of 2021), Enoch Yee (Class of 2022), and Cal Lawanson (Class of 2021). Cal Lawanson’s project titled, “Differences in Lateral Step-down Test Sagittal Plane Kinematics in Clients with a History of Lateral Ankle Sprain: Utilizing a Portable Motion Sensor,” focuses on using portable motion…