Pilot and Exploratory Studies Core (PESC)

Overview

The goal of the PESC is to provide research support and mentoring of investigators with high quality pilot and exploratory research proposals. These proposals are designed to acquire preliminary data needed for future crucial studies congruent with the Center’s focus:

• examination of the mechanisms underlying mobility limitation
• physical disability, and recovery from disability in vulnerable older adults
• assessment of functional and clinical responses to novel exercise and activity-based rehabilitation interventions

This goal is being accomplished through the following specific aims:

Solicit and select high quality, innovative pilot and exploratory studies (PES) that are relevant to the UM-OAIC goal.

• Identify talented and committed junior faculty and established investigators new to aging research from a broad range of disciplines who are interested in conducting pilot studies to advance their research careers in aging and that support the overall UM-OAIC goals.
• Support the development of rigorously designed pilot study proposals in consultation with Research Design Studios which will provide methodological expertise specific to each proposal.
• Through a process of rigorous internal and external peer review by accomplished investigators with relevant expertise, to select and fund the highest quality pilot and exploratory studies with the potential to successfully acquire key preliminary data necessary to support subsequent extramurally funded studies.

Support the implementation of innovative and promising pilot and exploratory studies through the utilization of PESC and UM-OAIC resources including: 

• Project Initiation Support Groups (PISGs) to ensure the prompt and efficient initiation of research projects, including support for completion of regulatory documents, procedure manuals, data collection forms, and plans for effective participant recruitment and retention.
• Multidisciplinary Research Working Groups (RWGs) to provide mentoring and to guide and assist investigators in conducting their projects, reporting results, and developing future investigations.
• Resources that are critical for the successful completion of the pilot study awardees’ scientific aims from UM-OAIC Resource Cores, allied research Programs and Centers at the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) and the larger University System of Maryland, and nationally through collaboration with other OAICs.
• Internal and External Data and Safety Monitoring to ensure and monitor adherence to ethics, safety, privacy, and protection of human participants enrolled and animals in PESC studies, and to monitor and evaluate the progress of these studies.

The PESC works with the Leadership and Administrative Core (LAC), its Committees and Advisory Panels to provide leadership, advice and resources to ensure the coordination of innovative translational approaches to research in rehabilitation science and clinical investigation examining the mechanisms underlying the functional disabilities associated with stroke, hip fracture, and other chronic diseases prevalent in the elderly. 

Funding Opportunities

Pilot Funding

The University of Maryland Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (UM-OAIC) at the School of Medicine, is providing funding for two-year pilot projects.  This funding will provide start-up support for quality research proposals of high relevance to the Center's mission, which addresses the processes by which function is lost, and the multiple factors that affect the onset and progression of disability in older adults.  Building on these important perspectives, the UM-OAIC focuses on the restoration of function in older adults with physical impairments, and the prevention of progression in those who are already disabled.  Studies may examine, but are not limited to, the mechanisms underlying the functional impairments associated with stroke, hip fracture, osteoarthritis, and other common chronic diseases in older adults. 
The Center will consider funding 3 pilot projects, each with a budget up to $30,000 direct costs for the 1st year of work only.  These projects are renewable for a second year pending approval of a progress report by UM-OAIC leaders however, no additional funds will be provided during the second year.  It is expected that within 12 months after successful completion of the pilot study, a peer-reviewed manuscript will be written and a proposal for external grant funding will be submitted.  The UM-OAIC is looking to support new investigators and increase collaborations on campus.  As a result, projects that involve 2 or more investigators who have not worked together previously in an aging research area, will be given priority when reviewed. 
For more information, refer to Pilot Funding 2024.  Letters of Intent are due to Anne Sullens by October 31, 2024.

For anyone that is interested in attending, there will be a presentation regarding the Pilot funding and REC Scholar LOI and full application process that will take place on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 4pm.  See zoom link to attend:
https://umaryland.zoom.us/j/96462788639?pwd=Y2PFufWOTZKRp1Mqc8ZZ0wLaoBYE3v.1
Meeting ID: 964 6278 8639                   Passcode: 106596

For More Information

Contact Anne Sullens

Currently Funded Pilot/Exploratory Studies

Funded July 1, 2024

Metabolic Imaging as a Biomarker of Muscle Aging
PI: Sui-Seng Tee, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

Develop machine learning algorithm for a novel MRI biomarker that is highly associated with knee arthroplasty utilizing the Osteoarthritis Initiative database
PI: Stephanie Jo, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

CD38 accelerates frailty and mitochondrial dysfunction in people with HIV (CATCH)
PI: Poonam Mathur, DO, MPH
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

A Novel Approach to Causal Trajectory Analysis: Identifying Sub-cohorts of ADRD Older
Adults Associated with Poor Post-Fracture Recovery
PI: Chixiang Chen, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
University of Maryland, School of Medicine 

Funded July 1, 2023

Exercise Capacity Improvement in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Pulmonary Hypertension (PH-HFpEF) after SGLT2 Inhibitor (Empagliflozin) Initiation
PI: Steven Cassady, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

Time-restricted eating to entrain circadian rhythm, reduce allostatic load, and prevent stressor-induced frailty
PI: Amber Kleckner, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science
University of Maryland, School of Nursing

Using Deep Learning to Measure Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers of Body Composition on MRI of the Knee in Older Adults With or At-Risk for Knee Osteoarthritis
PI: Paul Yi, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

Funded July 1, 2022

The Effects of Neuromuscular Activity and Muscle Structure on Stepping Performance in Older Adults
PI: Marcel Lanza, PhD
Research Associate, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

A Combination Therapy with a Brain-Selective Estrogen and Physical Exercise to Halt or Slow the Progression of Cognitive Decline
PI: Jacek Mamczarz, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

Retinal Blood Flow and its Evolution with Aging
PI: Osamah Saeedi, MD
Professor, Department of Ophthamology and Visual Sciences
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

Funded July 1, 2021

Persistence of Depression and Pain and Functional Outcomes in Knee Osteoarthritis
PI: Alan Rathbun, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

The Longevity of ARDS Inflammatory Subphenotypes and Their Role in Predicting Functional Recovery in Older Adults
PI: Andrea Levine, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

Cell Mechanics as a Biomarker of Osteo-Sarcopenia
PI: Jeanine Ursitti, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

Engaging Community and Municipal Stakeholders to Improve High-Quality Aging in Place for Community Dwelling Older Hip Fracture Survivors with Alzheimer's Disease or Related Dementias
PI: Jason Falvey, PT, DPT, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

Funded July 1, 2020

Mobile Sensor Investigation of Gait Variability and the Hip Abductors
PI: Odessa Addison, DPT, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

Neural Mechanisms of Motor Recovery with Technology Assisted Training for Post-stroke Hemiparesis
PI: Robynne Braun, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

Ryanodine Receptors as Novel Targets in Chronotropic Incompetence in the Aging Heart
PI: B. Maura Greiser, MD, PhD
Research Associate, Department of Physiology
University of Maryland, School of Medicine

Past Pepper Pilot Studies (1994-2020)