The National Science Foundation recently awarded three Rapid Response Research, or RAPID, grants — grants given by the NSF for research focusing on urgent or immediate situations — to Michigan State University researchers for work regarding COVID-19.
The first study, “Integrative Analysis of Multi-Omics Data to Understand ACE2 Regulation and Cytokine Storm,” is led by Christina Chan, University Distinguished Professor of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the College of Natural Science. To date, Chan has received $200,000 for this study.
This project aims to identify the unknown side effects of drugs that treat COVID-19. Currently, little is known about the effects these drugs have on the organs of vulnerable patients. The findings from this study will inform the prescribing of drugs and, hopefully, eliminate as many negative consequences as possible.
Chu-Hsiang Chang, principal investigator and associate professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Social Science has received $71,098 to date for her research, titled “The Roles of Organizational Contextual Factors in Worker Reactions to COVID-19.”
Her research will look at employee anxiety and outlook towards their work environment due to COVID-19. She and her team will analyze how these factors influence work performance, helpful behavior toward co-workers and work withdrawals, which can be manifested in the physical and mental side effects. Chang aims to offer context and information for managers to improve the workplace for employees while facing COVID-19.
The final study, “Collaborative Research: Understanding At-Risk Adolescents' and Parents' Daily Experiences During COVID-19,” is led by Caitlin Cavanaugh, assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice in the College of Social Science. Cavanaugh has received $15,907 to look at how at-risk children and their parents are affected by the anxiety and stress of life due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information on COVD-19 related research being sponsored by the NSF, see the organization’s coronavirus information page.