College of Public Health Highlights
New Investigator Research award recipients announced
Padmaja Ayyagari and Kathleen Tharp receive 2011-2012 award
Two University of Iowa faculty members have been awarded 2011-2012 College of Public Health-Carver College of Medicine New Investigator Research Awards. The awards assist newly appointed primary or joint faculty in the College of Public Health or the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine to advance their research activities.
Each recipient will receive up to $10,000 of funding for independent research projects.
The recipients are Padmaja Ayyagari, Ph.D., assistant professor of health management and policy, and Kathleen Tharp, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of epidemiology.
"The Colleges of Public Health and Medicine are impressed with the scientific potential offered by both of these young investigators," says Corinne Peek-Asa, Ph.D., associate dean for research in the College of Public Health. "These awards are designed to support new investigators and to foster new ideas in public health research. We’re confident in the contributions that will result from each of these projects.
"We had a record number of applicants this year," continues Peek-Asa. "This is a strong indicator of the growth of the College of Public Health over the last decade."
The award recipients' proposed research projects were chosen on the basis of scientific merit; relevance to the College of Public Health mission, strategic plan and goals; and probability of attracting subsequent extramural research funding.
Following are descriptions of each of the winning research proposals:
Padmaja Ayyagari
“Heterogeneity in the Impact of Tobacco Policies Across Racial and Ethnic Groups”
Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the U.S. with an estimated 400,000 annual deaths attributed to smoking. Ayyagari’s research will study heterogeneity in the impact of policy instruments, such as excise tax on tobacco and smoking bans, on tobacco use. Specifically, the project will examine whether these policies have differential effects on the smoking behavior of individuals belonging to different racial and/or ethnic groups.
Kathleen Tharp
“Validation of a Mediterranean Diet Screener in Pregnancy”
The Mediterranean-style eating pattern is plant-based and characterized by high consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and fish. There are many health advantages gained through consumption of a Mediterranean diet and a relatively low risk of harm. Tharp’s research will tailor a tool for collecting Mediterranean-like diet details in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner. The long-term goal is to use the tool to study the Mediterranean diet benefits that might extend to pregnancy conditions and health of the offspring.