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Funded Projects

Rediscovering Rheumatoid Factor as a Unique Antiviral Agent in COVID-19

Awarded in 2022
Collaborative Health Sciences Program
Updated Jan 5, 2024

At a Glance

Emerging and recurring viral infections remain a threat to public health and personal well-being. This innovative project proposes to “rediscover” rheumatoid factor (RF), a naturally occurring autoimmune antibody generally considered a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis, as a unique, universal antiviral agent. The primary goal of this proposal is to learn more about the role of RFs in COVID-19 in order to inform the development of a universal antiviral treatment for rapid deployment during seasonal, endemic and future viral pandemics. The findings have the potential to inform the development of novel therapeutics for treating wide range of viral infections.

Read more about the discovery of unique rheumatoid factors in COVID-19 patients

 

More Funded Projects

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Community Impact Grant

The Latino Dementia Health Regional Consortium

Year Awarded: 2021
Centro De La Comunidad/United Community Center, Inc will develop a regional model of dementia healthcare and caregiver support to improve Alzheimer’s disease detection, diagnosis and supports for Latinos in the southeast region of the state, including Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine and Kenosha. This project will engage existing county and community organization partners to establish a regional approach for earlier detection and diagnosis of dementia while building on existing mobile assessment services, virtual assessments and caregiver support and education to reduce geographical, cultural, financial and language barriers. Dr. Melina Kavanaugh, UW Milwaukee Helen Bader School of Social Welfare is the academic partner.
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COVID-19 Response Grant

Responding To Dual Epidemics of COVID-19 and Overdose Among People Who Inject Drugs in Wisconsin

Year Awarded: 2021
Rachel Gicquelais, PhD, assistant professor, UW–Madison School of Nursing, and co-principal investigator Ryan Westergaard, MD, PhD, MPH, associate professor, Department of Medicine, are using a COVID-19 Response grant to address the dual epidemics of COVID-19 and drug overdose. With a focus on rural Wisconsin residents, the goal of this project is to understand patterns of overdose risk, COVID-19 vaccine willingness and related attitudes and behaviors. Investigators will also test a novel mobile health intervention to support vaccine uptake in people who inject drugs.