The TSET Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences has announced the awardees of the FY25 seed grant program. Each grantee will receive up to $100,000 to conduct an innovative research project over 2 years. FY25 seed grants will focus on 1) understanding and addressing factors related to obesity in Oklahomans; 2) promoting active living in cancer patients; and 3) simultaneously addressing tobacco cessation and physical activity.

Dr. Adam Alexander is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at OU Health Sciences and researcher at the HPRC. Dr. Alexander’s seed grant is titled “Small Financial Incentives to Promote Smoking Cessation and Physical Activity among Black Adults: An App-Based Multiple Health Behavior Change Intervention.” Dr. Alexander’s study will recruit a sample of Black adults who want to quit smoking (N=30). This study will examine whether a smartphone application and small financial incentives can help Black adults quit smoking and increase physical activity.

Dr. Ashlea Braun is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health and Promotion Sciences at the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health and a researcher at the HPRC. Dr. Braun’s seed grant is titled “Cooperative Extension and Cancer Survivorship: SUpportive Care via Cooperative ExtenSion Services (SUCCESS).” This study will determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a comprehensive cancer survivorship program designed for and delivered by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension.

Dr. Michael Robertson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at OU Health Sciences and a researcher at the HPRC. Dr. Robertson’s seed grant is titled “Moving Moments: Developing and Evaluating an mHealth Intervention to Promote Active Living in Advanced Cancer.” This study will convene complementary patient and clinician advisory panels to develop (N=10) and test (N=30) an acceptance- and mindfulness-based, digitally mediated physical activity intervention supporting vitality and valued living among people with metastatic breast cancer.

The mission of the HPRC is to reduce the burden of disease in Oklahoma by addressing modifiable health risk factors such as tobacco use, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, cancer screening, and risky alcohol and other substance use through research, novel intervention development, and dissemination of research findings. Preliminary data resulting from these innovative research projects will enable investigators to successfully compete for national research grants in the future. 

For more information about the TSET Health Promotion Research Center, please visit https://healthpromotionresearch.org/.