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Funded Projects

COVID-19 and the Nasal Microbiome: Potential Marker of Disease Outcomes and Novel Antivirals

Awarded in 2020
COVID-19 Response Grant
Updated Sep 11, 2023

At a Glance

The COVID-19 Response grants awarded by the Faculty Grant support UW–Madison researchers across campus in scientific, medical and public health approaches to lessening the impact of COVID-19 through improved testing, treatments and vaccine development, as well as projects that aim to protect the public and healthcare workforce from the virus.

Project Goals

To study the nasal microbiome to determine potential compositions that are associated with COVID-19 outcomes for predictive biomarkers of disease severity and to discover novel naturally occurring novel antiviral compound

Read the grant announcement

More Funded Projects

research icon: microscope and stethoscope
Collaborative Health Sciences Program

PI3K/PTEN Targeted Therapy for HPV-associated Cancers

Year Awarded: 2015
This research studied common genetic changes in a gene called PI3K, a type of mutation found frequently in HPV-associated anal, head, and neck cancers, with the goal of advancing knowledge to inform choices of anticancer drugs for HPV-associated cancers. The researchers found that these genetic changes drove development of cancers in mice, but that drugs targeting PI3K did not necessarily inhibit human cancers, indicating a need to develop additional steps to assess whether a cancer will respond to a targeted drug therapy. A new type of culture system, called the tumor spheroid culture system, may provide that means.
community icon: shaking hands and group of people
Community Catalyst Grant

Straight Forward: The Truth About Addiction

Year Awarded: 2017
Through this project, Wisconsin middle and high schools showed the film titled Straight Forward: The Truth About Addiction and developed and used the accompanying curriculum. The project’s ultimate goal was to create awareness about Wisconsin’s addiction crisis and empower young people and their families with information and inspiration to live sober and successful lives. WisconsinEye staff presented the film to more than 12,000 students statewide in all-school assemblies, and thousands of students were engaged in post-film conversations with addiction prevention specialists. Lesson plans and complimentary video materials were created and packaged around the film for further learning. In addition, the film was viewed directly off the WisconsinEye website more than 3,500 times.