Pilot Project Awardees
2020-2021 PPRT Recipients
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Annie Mulholland, University of Alabama
Effect of Work-to-Rest Cycles on Cardiovascular Drift and Maximal Oxygen Uptake During Heat Stress
Anne M. Mulholland, Hillary A. Yoder, Jonathan E. Wingo
Learning Objectives:
- To determine the effect of work-to-rest ratios on cardiovascular strain, indexed as cardiovascular drift
- To determine the effect of work-to-rest ratios on work capacity
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Anne is a graduate student in the Department of Kinesiology at The University of Alabama. Her research interests include cardiovascular and environmental physiology, specifically related to cardiovascular responses during physical activity in the heat. She graduated in August 2020 with her master’s degree in exercise physiology, and this pilot project served as her master’s thesis.
E-mail: ammulholland@crimson.ua.edu
Hillary A. Yoder, University of Alabama
Physiological Responses to Heat Stress in Groundskeepers
Learning Objectives:
- Characterize heat stress and strain experienced by groundskeepers
- Evaluate hydration practices of groundskeepers
- Evaluate kidney function of groundskeepers
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E-mail: hayoder@crimson.ua.edu
Hanxiao Huang, PhD, Alabama State University
Fabrication and Evaluation of Sustainable Fibers for Volatile Organic Content
Authors: Hanxiao Huang, Derrick Dean
Learning Objective:
- The fabrication of Cellulose Acetate (CA) based scaffolds
- The effectiveness of nanodiamond in the VOC adsorption
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E-mail: hhuang@alasu.edu
Tianqi Gao Smith, PhD, Mayo Clinic
Forced treadmill running reduces systemic inflammation yet worsens upper limb discomfort in a rat model of work-related musculoskeletal disorders
Authors: Tianqi Gao Smith, Ann E. Barr-Gillespie, David Klyne, Michelle Y. Harris, Mamta Amin, Ryan W. Paul, Geneva E. Cruz, Huaqing Zhao, Sean Gallagher, Mary F. Barbe
Learning Objectives:
- To introduce a novel rat model to study musculoskeletal injury and recovery
- To discuss musculoskeletal injury and recovery mechanism during cyclic loading
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Tianqi Gao Smith is Senior Health Services Analyst at Mayo Clinic’s Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery in Rochester, MN. Prior to Mayo, she was Assistant Professor of System Science and Industrial Engineering at State University of New York at Binghamton. She acquired her PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering with foci in Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, and Occupational Injury Prevention from Auburn University under the advisement of Dr. Sean Gallagher. This PPRT study served as a significant part of her dissertation.
E-mail: tenchigao@gmail.com
2021-2022 PPRT Recipients
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Duha Ali, Auburn University, Doctoral
Evaluating the Physiological Effects of Inclined Carrying
Authors: Duha Ali, Mark Schall
Learning Objective:
Physiological and psychophysical assessment while performing one-handed carrying
Duha Ali is a doctoral student and Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University. She earned her master’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a graduate certificate in occupational, safety and ergonomics from the same university. As a research assistant in ergonomics, Duha has been involved in several research projects in occupational safety and ergonomics. Her primary role in these projects was to assist with the data collection, recruitment and consenting of participants, training of graduate and undergraduate students on the different devices, assistance with data analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of the results. Duha has an extensive experience in project management. Prior to her enrollment to Auburn University, she worked as a project officer on many projects for two international organizations.
Michael L. Callihan, The University of Alabama
Measuring the Impact of Secondary Stressors on Patient Outcomes through Simulation
DSC ERC FINAL REPORT MCallihan 2022
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the influence of secondary stressors on nursing performance
- Describe a complex simulation that provides a learning environment for the functioning nurse
- Discuss the patient outcomes relative to the secondary stressors placed on the nurse
Katie Kearns, University of Georgia
Measuring nitrogen dioxide concentrations in homes with biomass cookstoves compared to homes with liquefied petroleum gas stoves in Guatemala, Peru, and Rwanda as part of the multi-country HAPIN study.
- Provide a brief overview of my contribution to the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial, with a focus on my field research in Guatemala and my dissertation projects.
- Share an update on the Nitrogen Dioxide project that occurred in Guatemala, Peru, and Rwanda as part of the HAPIN study.
Chukwuma (Chuma) Nnaji, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Effect of Exoskeleton and Temperature Level on Construction Worker Fatigue
Learning Objectives:
- Provide an assessment of the ability of wearable robots to prevent WMSDs that impact body parts and WMSDs risk factors
- Assess the impact of exoskeleton on muscle activation during drilling operations, in room and hot temperatures
- Assess the impact of exoskeleton on perceived exertion during drilling operations, in room and hot temperatures
Biography:
Chukwuma (Chuma) Nnaji is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Dr. Nnaji holds a BS degree in Building from Imo State University, an MBA from Oregon State University’s College of Business and an MS and Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University. His research focus is on generating foundational insight on human behavior, as well as formulating strategies and developing decision support tools that enhance construction safety and health, human-machine interactions, construction automation, sustainable construction, workforce development in different construction environments. Dr. Chuma is a member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), National Society of Black Engineers, and the Precast Concrete Institute.
Jonghwa Oh, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Development of a Fit-Matching Tool for Safety Eyewear: Fit Examinations
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about the issue(s) with personal protective equipment (PPE) especially for eye protection
- Discuss in innovative control measure to resolve the fit issue of protective eyewear
Renjith Rajan Pillai, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Novel IR reflective coating onto textile fabrics for heat protection
Learning Objectives
– Use of low temperature plasma processing (LTP) for the development of IR reflective coating.
– Nano particle tailored substrate surface for IR reflective labor coats to ensure productive workplaces without compromising the safety and health concerns.
– Systematic characterization of the fabricated IR reflective nano layer for ensuring its efficiency and durability.
Biography:
I am pursuing my Ph.D. in Materials Engineering under the guidance of Dr. Vinoy Thomas, Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Department, UAB. I have finished my master’s degree in Chemistry from University of Kerala, India, as well as in Materials Engineering from University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA. My work is focusing on Environmental pollution such as heavy metals, VOC, etc., its effects on human health, and its remediation.
2022-2023 PPRT Recipients
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