Purdue COVID-19 Researchers and Projects
Harm HogenEsch
Sex differences in the immune response to candidate SARS-CoV2 Vaccines
Studies have demonstrated that women develop a stronger immune response to vaccines. This appears to be due to both genetic and hormonal factors. We will evaluate the immune response in male and female animals in the process of developing vaccine formulations for novel COVID-19.
Associate Dean for Research/ Professor of Immunopathology
Department of Veterinary Administration/ Department of Comparative Pathobiology
Alok Chaturvedi
Computational Epidemiology of COVID-19 using agent-based simulations
Most computational models have been inadequate, resulting in governments using the sledge hammer approach to interventions. We want to build a fine-grained model using agent-based modeling paradigm. The model will allow government and non-governmental organizations to develop more specific intervention strategies.
Director, Institute for Social Empowerment through Entrepreneurship and Knowledge (ISEEK)
Professor, Krannert Graduate School of Management
Professor, Department of Computer Sciences (Courtesy)
Xiang Zhou
Adjustment to quarantine
Conducting a longitudinal survey study with parents who have young children (3-8 years) to understand their adjustment following the COVID-19 quarantine.
College of Education and Counseling Psychology
Zhan Pang
Spread of Coronavirus and supply chain risk management
1.Study the effects of testing capacity, social distancing policies and ICU/ventilator capacity on the COVID-19 pandemic diffusion. 2. Evaluate the rationing and allocation strategies of ICU resources. 3. Overview of managing supply chain disruptions: COVID-19 and Beyond.
Associate Professor of Management: Krannert School of Management
Craig Goergen
Early detection of Covid-19 by monitoring resting heart rate and respiration rate using wearable devices
There is emerging evidence that resting heart rate increases, heart rate variability decreases, and resting respiration rate increases before a Covid-19 patient develops a fever or other symptoms. These early indicators could be a way to identify positive patients before they infect others. We are working on monitoring resting heart rate and respiration rate using smart watches to develop an early detection and early warning system that takes into sex differences for diagnosing patients potentially positive for Covid-19.
Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
Taylor Zoe
Challenges, Wellbeing, and Coping of Single Mothers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This mixed-method project follows up a study with 200 single mothers in Indiana conducted in the Fall of 2019, focused on single mothers’ challenges and resilience. Twenty-two mothers participated in qualitative interviews. The present study is re-surveying and re-interviewing subjects to assess how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed their mental health, social support, parenting, and overall wellbeing.
Health and Human Sciences: Human Development and Family Studies
Victoria Lowell
Assessing COVID-19 Pandemic Induced Social Isolation and Stress in Higher Education Community
Social isolation and the stress in the current crisis, as well as the shift from what we are accustomed to in our daily life (i.e. work, school, and social interactions), are impacting our education community and are impacting group within our community in different ways. Providing opportunities for students, alumni, instructors, and staff to authentically connect, encourage, and support each other in these times is of particular importance. Over the past two months, we have been working to engage our community to determine where people are now in regards to their stressors and needs, and their interest in connecting with and supporting others through attending and/or volunteering online distance social and learning events.
College of Education/ Learning Design and Technology
Risa Cromer
Medical Anthropology/Feminist Science Studies of Sex-differences Research in Infectious Disease
Using theories and methods from feminist medical anthropology and science studies, we are interested in the growing field of sex-differences research in infectious disease. We are particularly interested in how scientists gather, interpret, and translate data on infectious disease with respect to sex-difference, including how sex and gender are defined and studied. We have conducted preliminary research on sex-based biological science in tick-borne diseases and would be excited to collaborate with Purdue researchers studying sex-differences in COVID-19.
College of Liberal Arts: Anthropology
Xiaoping Bao
Modeling and Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Infection with Human iPSC-derived Lung Epithelial and Cardiovascular Cells
Use human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC's) to model SARS-CoV02 injection and identify host cell factors that could be harnessed to prevent viral infection and proliferation. Female and male iPSC lines will be employed to study sex differences.
Davidson School of Chemical Engineering
Emad Elwakil
Preliminary Modeling of COVID-19 Spread in Construction Industry
This study investigates the preliminary indexes which can affect the spread of COVID-19 in the Construction Industry. The developed model would act as a guide for stakeholders to take the most appropriate precautions in the job site with the available equipment and facilities.
School of Construction Management
Evidence Matangi
Data Generation Dynamics and Implications on Projections and Containment of COVID-19
The evolvement of COVID-19 data involved three stages; uncontrolled, intermediate and controlled (lockdown) stages. These are coupled with self-selection for testing, limited testing, and variations in quarantine procedures. Under such conditions data generation was typically heterogeneous, and the non-probability sampling procedures of purposive and snowballing were the main sources of such data. These conditions limit the inference from this data which was pivotal for decision and policy making for governments. We seek to highlight these challenges and account for the challenges in the reliability of COVID-19 data for decision-making from constrained data.
Evidence Matangi, Visiting Assistant Professor of Statistics
College of Science: Department of Statistics
Karen Byrd
Restaurant Consumers and COVID-19: Consumer Behaviors and Health Perceptions and Their Impact on the "Health" of the Restaurant Industry
This project will examine relationships between consumer perceptions about contracting COVID-19 and their ability to safely obtain food from restaurants. Additionally, the researchers will analyze data about consumer perceptions about the safety of restaurant food itself, industry actions that may affect consumer decisions to obtain restaurant foods, and actions consumers are taking related to restaurant foods that they perceive protect themselves and others from COVID-19. Gender will be considered in the evaluation of the study with possible subset analysis based on gender.
College of Health and Human Sciences: Hospitality and Tourism Management
Nilupa Gunaratna
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Response on Food Systems in Kenya
We propose a rapid assessment on the impact of COVID-19 and Kenya’s response to the pandemic on food systems. We will conduct focus group discussions by phone with women and men in representative communities in Kenya. The main objective is to provide immediate understanding on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting food systems in rural areas, as experienced and perceived by the rural population.
College of Health and Human Sciences, Department of Public Health
Marxa Figueiredo
Developing Targeted IL-27 Therapeutics for Protecting and Treating COVID-19 Lung Disease
I am engaged in adapting/repurposing some of our immune therapeutic biologics towards COVID-19. I am very interested in examining the differences in responsiveness of normal cells from different sexes and cancer cells (breast, prostate) to COVID-19 infection.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Basic Medical Sciences