Purdue COVID-19 Researchers

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.

Harm HogenEsch, DVM, PhD hogenesch@purdue.edu 

Associate Dean for Research/ Professor of Immunopathology

Department of Veterinary Administration/ Department of Comparative Pathobiology

 

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.

Alok Chaturvedi Ph.D alok@purdue.edu 

Director, Institute for Social Empowerment through Entrepreneurship and Knowledge (ISEEK)

Professor; Krannert Graduate School of Management, Department of Computer Sciences 

 

 

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.

Xiang Zhou Ph.D  xiangzhou@purdue.edu 

College of Education and Counseling Psychology

 

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.

Zhan Pang Ph.D zpang@purdue.edu 

Associate Professor of Management: Krannert School of Management

 

Automation of a Lung Volumetric Exercise Device for Remote Pulmonary Function Testing

An automated incentive spirometer could reduce the need for patients positive with COVID-19 to be used in the clinic for respiratory assessments and identify reductions at an earlier stage.

Craig Goergen Ph.D cgoergen@purdue.edu 

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering

 

 

Challenges, Wellbeing, and Coping of Single Mothers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Assess single mothers' challenges and their sources of resilience by collecting data with 200 subjects across Indiana during the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be a follow-up wave of data to re-survey them and assess how their mental health, social support, parenting, and overall wellbeing has changed.

Taylor Zoe Ph.D zetaylor@purdue.edu 

Health and Human Sciences: Human Development and Family Studies

 

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.

Victoria Lowell Ph.D vllowell@purdue.edu 

College of Education/ Learning Design and Technology

 

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.

Risa Cromer Ph.D risoc@purdue.edu 

College of Liberal Arts: Anthropology

 

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. 

Xiaoping Bao Ph.D bao61@purdue.edu 

Davidson School of Chemical Engineering

 

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.

Emad Elwakil Ph.D eelwakil@purdue.edu

School of Construction Management

 

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 ematangi@purdue.edu 

College of Science: Department of Statistics

 

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.

Karen Byrd Ph.D ksbyrd@purdue.edu

College of Health and Human Sciences: Hospitality and Tourism Management

 

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.

Nilupa Gunaratna, Ph.D gunaratna@purdue.edu 

College of Health and Human Sciences, Department of Public Health

Developing Targeted IL-27 Therapeutics for Protecting and Treating COVID-19 Lung Disease