Student Research Volunteers

Postprandial Response to Emotion-Diet Interactions in Pregnancy

Lead Researcher: Karen Lindsay, PhD, RDN
Time Period: Ongoing

Objective
Confirm a mechanistic pathway by which acute psychosocial stress may potentiate the effects of an unhealthy diet on postprandial metabolism among pregnant women with obesity

Findings
This study may help us better understand how a mother’s emotional state in pregnancy affects her biology before and after eating a meal.

Assistance Needed
Surveys/Questionnaires
Physical measurements (weight, height, blood pressure)
Collection of biological samples such as saliva and blood via IV catheter
Performing a short mental challenge task that involves speaking and counting

Electroacupuncture and Hypertension Research

Lead Researcher: Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH
Time Period: Ongoing

Objective
Sensory nerves located beneath acupoints send information to several regions in the brain that receive input from many other acupoints, as well as from visceral organs. The purpose of this research program is to investigate a novel treatment on high blood pressure. The study will investigate whether blood pressure and heart rate will be decreased at rest after a low current of electrical stimulation (electroacupuncture EA) is delivered through the arms, legs and torso.

Findings
These studies provide new information about how acupuncture works to lower blood pressure, including mechanisms related to anti-inflammatory and sympathoinhibitory pathways.

Assistance Needed
Surveys/Questionnaires
30-minute electroacupuncture (EA) therapy sessions
Blood pressure, EndoPAT (non-invasive measurement of early endothelial damage ), heart rate variability, etc.

Integrative Cardiometabolic Care Approach compaRative Effectiveness (ICARE) Study

Principal Investigator: Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH

Objective
This is a prospective observational cohort study that investigates the comparative effectiveness of incorporating specific integrative modalities (acupuncture, biofeedback, nutritional counseling, etc.) to usual cardiovascular care by analyzing subclinical and clinical markers of disease.

Findings

This study will reveal whether participation in an integrative cardiovascular care program improves subclinical and clinical markers of disease from baseline, as well as compare these parameters to the standard of care. In the broader scope, it is anticipated that a demonstrable positive effect on subclinical and clinical markers of disease through integrative approaches may slow or prevent the development of overt cardiovascular disease, or in those already with clinical cardiovascular disease, prevent subsequent cardiovascular events.

Assistance Needed
Two groups will be evaluated: (1) participants receiving standard cardiovascular care, and (2) participants receiving integrative and standard cardiovascular care.

Variables of Interest: heart rate variability, endothelial dysfunction, serological biomarkers, salivary biomarkers, coronary plaque progression, etc.

ADAVRRA-Cannabis for Chronic Pain

Lead Researcher: Marcela Dominguez, MD

Objective
This observational study is meant to evaluate the safety and tolerability of cannabis (CCTA320) in subjects with chronic pain.

Findings
This study is meant to evaluate the safety and tolerability of cannabis (CCTA320) in subjects with chronic pain.

Assistance Needed
Surveys/questionnaires
Patient monitoring