University Of Rhode Island Medical Researchers Awarded $350K In Seed Funding

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The Rhode Island Foundation has awarded $350,000 in seed funding to 14 promising medical research projects at the University of Rhode Island, the foundation said in a media release.

The projects include reducing the severity of postpartum depression in new mothers, lessening the impact of concussions on adolescents and training artificial intelligence to accurately diagnose breast cancer, according to the release.

See also: URI Professor's Study Uses 'Augmented Reality' To Help Amputees Use Prosthetics

"The grants are largely designed to help early-career researchers advance projects to the point where they are competitive for national funding," the release said.

“Through the generosity of our donors, we are able to provide the crucial seed funding that enables local researchers to purse promising medical advances,” David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO said in the release.

See also: More Than $4M In Scholarships Available Through Rhode Island Foundation

“Although the grants are fairly modest, they can lead to big discoveries that will spark substantial new investments in the state’s research sector as well as create healthy communities across our state,” Cicilline said.

Alina Jade Barnett, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Statistics, received $25,000 to build an improved AI that helps physicians diagnose breast cancer, specifically by revealing and fixing the hidden flaws in existing AI models, the release said.

See also: University Of Rhode Island Prof Participates In Methadone Study

Nathan Cook, assistant professor of psychology, received $25,000 to test a new approach to treating adolescents who are suffering from the long-term effects of serious concussions, according to the release.

Jamie Blalock, assistant professor of human development and family science, received $25,000 to support research aimed at understanding the early relational and financial factors that shape maternal mental health across the postpartum year, the release said.

See also: Rhode Island Foundation Recommends Changes To State's School Funding System

Every URI proposal that was selected received the maximum grant of $25,000, according to the release.

See also: These RI Hospitals Earn Top Marks From Patients