Current ARCS Awards
Dr. Yeil Kwon
Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Statistics
Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dr. Kwon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics & Physics at 好色先生. His research focuses on empirical Bayes estimation methods for high-dimensional data, with broader interests in parameter estimation problems and data science education.He earned a Ph.D. in Statistics from the Fox School of Business at Temple University in Philadelphia, an M.S. in Operations Research with an emphasis on Financial Engineering from Columbia University in New York, and an M.S. in Statistics from Korea University. Dr. Kwon brings extensive industry experience, having worked as a quantitative analyst at a hedge fund, where he developed options trading strategies using stochastic models. As a principal portfolio manager at an insurance company, he oversaw $12 billion in assets, leveraging analytics to assess credit risk and customer behavior. Additionally, he served as a credit risk analyst at leading credit bureaus, designing predictive models for credit risk, bankruptcy, and fraud detection. His expertise has contributed to major projects with Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) and Experian, where he played a key role in developing advanced credit risk systems for financial institutions.
Project Abstract
In modern data analysis, estimating the probability of infrequent events is a critical and challenging problem. Infrequent events refer to discrete occurrences that are rarely observed, encompassing extreme cases such as catastrophic terrorist attacks, earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher on the Richter scale, or single-day stock market changes exceeding 10. While many existing methods effectively handle cases where p is near 1/2, estimating p becomes significantly more difficult in extreme cases where p approaches zero due to inherent information scarcity. This research focuses on addressing these challenges by employing two strategies: (1) Empirical Bayesian approach and (2) Restricting the parameter space for p from 0 < p < 1 to 0 < p < u, where u < 1/2. The empirical Bayesian approach allows for the estimation of probabilities by leveraging information from the target population and other seemingly independent populations. Owing to its superior performance, this method has been widely used for estimating multiple parameters across diverse applications for decades. This study will propose an empirical Bayes estimatorbased on a four-parameter beta distribution for a prior distribution to reflect the parameter restriction. Simulation studies will provide empirical evidence to demonstrate the new estimator's superior performance compared with existing estimators, such as the James-Stein estimator and the beta-binomial-based empirical Bayes estimator. Finally, to showcase its real-world applicability, the proposed method will be applied to Major League Baseball home run data. This application will highlight the practical benefits of handling infrequent event probabilities in a new paradigm.
Dr. Bryan Lehecka
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
College of Health Professions
B.J. Lehecka, DPT, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Wichita State University. He has been a faculty member at 好色先生 since 2012. Dr. Lehecka's educational background includes a PhD in Orthopedic and Sports Science from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from 好色先生, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Kinesiology from Kansas State University. In addition to his academic role, Dr. Lehecka is a licensed physical therapist in Kansas, with professional experience working at Via Christi Health. Dr. Lehecka's contributions to the field of physical therapy are reflected in his expanding list of peer-reviewed publications, textbook contributions, and numerous professional presentations. Dr. Lehecka is actively involved in research, focusing on gluteal function and sport performance.
Project Abstract
This study establishes baseline measurements of bone density, lean muscle mass, and movement mechanics in NCAA Division I women's volleyball players at Wichita State University. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans will quantify bone mineral density and lean muscle mass. The DARI motion analysis system will provide objective measures of movement patterns. This descriptive research addresses a critical gap in understanding the physical characteristics of female volleyball athletes, particularly concerning bone health and movement. The collection of this baseline data is essential for future investigations examining the correlation between these parameters and injury incidence during the subsequent competitive season. By quantifying bone density, muscle mass, and movement profiles, this study aims to contribute to the development of targeted injury prevention strategies. Ultimately, this research will provide foundational data for improving athlete safety and performance.
Project Abstract
Dr. David MacDonald
Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition
College of Fine Arts
David's music has been performed at venues around the world, including Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall. He has been honored by the BMI Foundation, ASCAP Deems Taylor Awards, the Koch Cultural Trust, the Sinquefield Family Foundation, and Michigan State University Honors Competition. He has been commissioned by the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra, Kansas Music Teachers Association, Hastings College Symphonic Band, h2 Quartet, and others. David's writing on music notation, teaching, and music technology have appeared in Scoring Notes, where he is a senior contributor and cohosts the Scoring Notes podcast. He serves on the board of the KNOB Festival of New Music in Wichita, and has previously served on the board of directors of Nullstate, a non-profit organization promoting research and education in computer music. Recent projects include an open folio of works for solo vibraphone, commissioned by KMTA, and a young-audiences work for narrator and orchestra, commissioned by the Allen Philharmonic. Recordings of David's work can be heard on Blue Griffin and Navona Records. David believes passionately that new music 鈥� even pretty weird music 鈥� is for everyone, not just the formally trained few, and he loves sharing new music experiences with a wider audience. He teaches composition, theory, and technology at 好色先生, where his also the founding director of the contemporary music ensemble Happening Now. He is from St. Louis, Missouri and received a B.M. in composition and trumpet performance from the University of Missouri - Columbia and a M.M. and D.M.A. in composition from Michigan State University.
Project Abstract
Concerto for Horn and Wind ensemble will be a 15- to 20-minute long, original composition for a French horn soloist and symphonic wind ensemble of around 40-50 players. The work will be my first concerto since my 2011 Concerto for Steelpan and Wind Ensemble. The horn concerto will be a virtuosic piece premiered by Dr. Jeb Wallace, solo horn, and the 好色先生 Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Timothy Shade.
Dr. Jacob McGlaun
Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre
College of Fine Arts
With over a decade of experience in musical theater education and directing, Jacob is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of performers through an innovative, movement-based approach. Jacob earned a BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Movement from London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, with additional training in Meisner Technique at NYC's Neighborhood Playhouse.
A seasoned musical theater performer, Jacob's credits span off-Broadway stages, iconic NYC Cabaret venues and regional theaters across the country. His international production work has graced stages in London and Italy, bringing a diverse array of firsthand experience to his practice.
Project Abstract
This project builds on my previous research at the University of Cincinnati and represents a significant step in the development of holistic acting practices. By integrating Zen-based principles into actor movement training, my overall goal is to develop and refine a curriculum which empowers actors to reclaim their bodies as a means for more authentic creative expression. Zen and actor movement training share a common vehicle for development: the human body. Through cultivating embodied awareness, my specific objectives within the curriculum are to help actors gain a stronger connection to space, an enhanced physical presence, and a more deeply felt connection with other actors in the studio. My methodology 鈥� known as Practice as Research 鈥� synthesizes actor feedback on the curriculum with my own observations, theoretical research and embodied knowledge in the field. This project also serves as an essential phase in my ongoing research, which has been provisionally accepted for publication in Dance, Movement and Spiritualities. These workshops will not only refine my curriculum but also provide the required photographic documentation for the article鈥檚 publication.
Current MURPA Awards
Dr. JaeHwan Byun
Associate Professor Instructional Design & Technology
College of Applied Studies
Dr. JaeHwan Byun specializes in Instructional Design & Technology as an Associate Professor chairing the MEd in Learning and Instructional Design program at Wichita State University. He has secured multiple grants, including a NASA Kansas Space Grant Consortium Teacher Workshop Program Grant for enhancing STEM education. His research areas include learner engagement, digital game-based learning for K-12 mathematics education, and accessibility in online courses. Recently, he has focused on artificial intelligence in educational settings and online learning in developing countries. Dr. Byun's innovative work earned him the Excellence in Online Teaching award in 2023, reflecting his commitment to enhancing student engagement through technology.
Project Abstract
This project aims to explore the use of Generative AI (GenAI) as an innovative tool for counselor education and training. Specifically, we will explore how GenAI can enhance role-playing exercises by enabling the AI to simulate diverse client personas based on parameters we define. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether GenAI-based training is an effective method in fostering counselor development and establish a base model for generating parameters for GenAI to act as an interactive case-study training modality. Over two semesters, 30-40 counseling graduate students will be invited to participate in this study. Using a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach, we will evaluate the GenAI-based training and collect both qualitative and quantitative data to assess its impact. The findings will provide insights into the integration of AI in counselor education and its potential as a dynamic and innovative training tool.
Professor of Public Health Sciences
College of Health Professions Dr. Chesser is a Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Wichita State University. She holds a doctorate in health communications. Her primary research interests are public health, women鈥檚 health, health communication, health literacy, health disparities, and older adults. She has taught multiple communications courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels including Health Communications, Health Communications for Older Adults, Social Marketing, Organizational Communications, Global Public Health Communications, and Introduction to Communications. She has twenty years of experience working in health literacy and is a part of the Health Literacy Regional Network. Dr. Chesser was awarded the Quality Matters National Certification: AGE 804 Aging Programs and Policies and AGE 717: Health Communications. She has received the 好色先生 Gold Standard award for all other classes that she has taught. In 2016, Dr. Chesser received the Excellence in Research Award for the College of Health Professions. She has worked with Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) data for more than a decade. The survey includes a Diabetes Risk Assessment as well as health literacy questions. Currently, Dr. Chesser is collaborating with Drs. Keene Woods and Drassen Ham on activities for Interprofessional Education through National Interprofessional Healthcare Education and Research Team (NIHEART).
Project Abstract
Dr. Jason Li
Associate Professor of Counseling
College of Applied Studies
Dr. Jason Li is an Associate Professor of Counseling in the Department of Intervention Services and Leadership in Education at 好色先生. He holds a Master's in School Counseling from Western Kentucky University and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Texas Tech University. A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Certified Career Counselor (CCC), Dr. Li's research focuses on career development, assessments, and mental health issues affecting underrepresented groups in schools. He is a past president of the Kansas Counseling Association and an active member of the American Counseling Association and National Career Development Association.
Project Abstract
This project aims to explore the use of Generative AI (GenAI) as an innovative tool for counselor education and training. Specifically, we will explore how GenAI can enhance role-playing exercises by enabling the AI to simulate diverse client personas based on parameters we define. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether GenAI-based training is an effective method in fostering counselor development and establish a base model for generating parameters for GenAI to act as an interactive case-study training modality. Over two semesters, 30-40 counseling graduate students will be invited to participate in this study. Using a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach, we will evaluate the GenAI-based training and collect both qualitative and quantitative data to assess its impact. The findings will provide insights into the integration of AI in counselor education and its potential as a dynamic and innovative training tool.
Dr. Philip Mullins
Associate Professor of Counseling
College of Applied Studies
Dr. Philip Mullins is an Associate Professor of Counseling and Co-Chair of the Department of Intervention Services and Leadership in Education at 好色先生. He holds a Master鈥檚 in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adams State University and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Wyoming. Dr. Mullins is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a research focus on athlete mental health and counselor training practices. He is a member of the Kansas Counseling Association Board and an active member of the American Counseling Association.
Project Abstract
This project aims to explore the use of Generative AI (GenAI) as an innovative tool for counselor education and training. Specifically, we will explore how GenAI can enhance role-playing exercises by enabling the AI to simulate diverse client personas based on parameters we define. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether GenAI-based training is an effective method in fostering counselor development and establish a base model for generating parameters for GenAI to act as an interactive case-study training modality. Over two semesters, 30-40 counseling graduate students will be invited to participate in this study. Using a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach, we will evaluate the GenAI-based training and collect both qualitative and quantitative data to assess its impact. The findings will provide insights into the integration of AI in counselor education and its potential as a dynamic and innovative training tool.
Current URCA Awards
Dr. Greg Houseman
Professor of Biological Sciences
Farimount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dr. Greg Houseman is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. His research and teaching focuses on approaches to restore and manage native prairies in Kansas. He has worked in prairie and savanna ecosystems in Michigan, Illinois, and Kansas. In addition to his research and teaching, he is also the Director the Wichita State Biological Field Station, which includes sites near Viola, Waterloo, and Beaumont Kansas.
Project Abstract
Plant diversity in restored prairies is often much lower than intact, native prairies limiting the conservation value of restoration efforts. One likely cause of this low plant diversity is low environmental heterogeneity caused by years of soil tillage. Additionally, seeds in native prairie typically disperse in a spatially aggregated way while prairie restoration projects generally sow seeds in an equal and even mixture of all species potentially undermining natural spatial separation that may be necessary to build and maitain a diverse plant community. My hypothesis is that environmental heterogeneity from soil and seed arrival are important for high plant diversity in prairies. To address these ideas, my lab has established a field experiment to test whether 1) soil heterogeneity increases plant diversity and 2) if these effects depends on spatial structure of seed arrival. One major challenge for this research is that obtaining answers to these questions requires long鈥恡erm data because the plant species are long鈥恖ived and plant competition takes time to develop. Likewise the data necessary to understand how environmental variability contributes to the observed patterns require numerous students and technicians to collect data each year. Consequently, my goal is to collect data from this experiment in 2025 that will be used to support an external NSF grant proposal for longer-term data collection.
Dr. Matthew D. Howland
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dr. Matthew D. Howland is an anthropological archaeologist whose research focuses on the application of digital 3D and spatial methods to the study of the past. Dr. Howland is the director of the Geospatial Archaeology Laboratory at Wichita State University and received his PhD and MA from the University of California San Diego and his BS/BA from Penn State. His research involves the application of low-altitude aerial remote sensing, including UAV/drone-based photography, to record and map archaeological sites in 3D and conduct intra-site spatial analyses in GIS. Dr. Howland also applies and for community-engaged digital public archaeology. Dr. Howland is engaged in active field research in Kansas, Georgia, and the Eastern Mediterranean. His work has been published in journals such as the , , , and , and has been covered in media outlets including , , and
Project Abstract
This project aims to quantify the risks posed by anthropogenic coastal erosion to archaeological sites, using sites on the Atlantic coast of Georgia as a case study. Coastal erosion is driven by long-term processes of sea level rise/tidal variation and short-term disaster events such as storm surge caused by hurricanes, both of which are increasing in severity due to anthropogenic climate change and landscape modification. Archaeologists are well-aware of the threat posed by these processes to coastal archaeological sites but lack understanding of the relative contribution of damage to coastal sites from these long-term and short-term processes. This project aims to quantify the impacts of coastal erosion through multiscalar analysis of erosion on archaeological sites. At regional scale, I will use multispectral band indices on historic Landsat imagery to track erosion/accretion on the Georgia coast since the 1970s and in the aftermath of major storm events during this period, comparing results to the distribution of archaeological sites along the coast to understand which sites have been impacted. At site scale, I will precisely quantify erosion by intensively recording archaeological sites in 3D at 6 month intervals and in the aftermath of major storms, if funding permits, over the project period using UAV-based LiDAR scanning. This work will provide time-series data on the damage done to at-risk sites by erosion at millimeter/centimeter scale. Project results will therefore provide a multiscalar understanding of how coastal erosion impacts archaeological sites and the relative contribution of long and short-term risk factors in causing erosion.
Dr. Timothy Jones
Assistant Professor of Violin
College of Fine Arts
Dr. Timothy Jones is an artist, teacher, and performer with roots in Kansas and branches across the Americas. He serves as Associate Concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Professor of Violin at 好色先生, as well as Concertmaster of the Wichita Grand Opera and Ballet Wichita Orchestras. Jones holds degrees in Music Education and Violin Performance, having received his doctorate in Performance. He has performed as soloist, concertmaster, and chamber musician in North and South America. Jones performs frequently with the Fairmount String Trio, a 好色先生 faculty ensemble. Recent highlights for the Trio include an acclaimed performance with Rachelle Goter at the International Clarinet Association Annual Conference, and multiple presentations of Mozart and Brahms Quintets in Kansas and Iowa. As a soloist, since returning to Kansas in 2018, Jones has performed the Bach Double Concerto with the Wichita Symphony, the Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn Concertos with the Hutchinson Symphony, and Beethoven Romance No. 2 with the Independence Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his performing career, Jones is an avid educator of students of all ages, and has worked throughout his career as both private and classroom instructor. He taught strings in the Wichita Public Schools, and has taught and performed at music festivals in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. In 2023, Jones鈥檚 contributions to the professional artistic community of Wichita were recognized by the Wichita Arts Council Burton Pell Achievement in Music Award, as well as the receipt of a Koch Cultural Trust Enabling Grant, and an Artist Access Grant from the City of Wichita Arts and Cultural Services Division.
Project Abstract
The fine arts have always been both cause and effect of shifts in human thought. While music, visual, and performing arts have reflected human culture throughout history, they have also influenced its trajectory; art is often the medium through which society processes controversial or innovative ideas. Modern professionals in music are charged to work fervently toward innovation and inclusion in our artistic output, lest our concert halls remain museums of the sounds of colonial Europe. Toward this end, the creation and performance of new compositions 鈥� by and for the living 鈥� must be catalyzed. This grant supports the composition of a large-scale orchestral work by composer Robert J. Hagenbuch Jr., and the production of a World Premiere performance of said work on the 好色先生 campus in Fall 2024. The work will feature two 好色先生 College of Fine Arts faculty members as well as the University Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble comprised of 50-60 School of Music students. In addition to composing the work, the composer will conduct a brief residency at Wichita State prior to the premiere, providing rehearsal coaching for the Symphony Orchestra and a masterclass within the Composition studio. Commissions and world premieres of this scale are rare within the academic world, making this project a unique and powerful demonstration of the level of artistic excellence and innovation within the 好色先生 College of Fine Arts.
Dr. Shruti Kshirsagar
Assistant Professor School of Computing
College of Engineering
Dr. Shruti Rajendra Kshirsagar is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computing at 好色先生 (好色先生), where she specializes in artificial intelligence, assistive technologies, medical image processing, audio processing, and multimodal signal analysis. She holds a PhD in Telecommunications from INRS, Montreal, Canada, and leads the SoundMind Neurovision Innovation Lab at 好色先生. Her team investigates innovative AI applications in healthcare, such as brain tumor segmentation, ECG classification, and cognitive load assessment, as well as advancements in assistive technologies, including deepfake detection and audio event analysis.
Dr. Kshirsagar serves as the Graduate Coordinator for the MS Data Science program and as the Awards Chair for the IEEE GreenTech Conference 2025. She has been recognized with the INRS Best Doctoral Thesis Award. Dr. Kshirsagar is committed to advancing impactful research at the intersection of deepfake detection, assistive technology, and human health, driven by her passion for data science and AI
Project Abstract
The rapid growth of generative AI technologies has led to increasingly convincing deepfakes, now extending beyond visual manipulation to audio and multimodal data. While deepfakes have potential benefits, such as in speech restoration, they pose significant risks for identity theft, misinformation, and voice biometrics fraud. This project is dedicated to developing a robust, accurate, and interpretable system for audio deepfake detection by integrating handcrafted feature extraction with advanced deep learning models. This project explores feature extraction techniques for detecting deepfake audio using a combination of handcrafted features鈥攎odulation, OpenSMILE, log-Mel spectrograms, and quality-based measures鈥攁nd deep learning models, including ResNet and RNNs. The main research goal is to develop a robust, interpretable, and generalizable system for detecting diverse deepfake attacks, contributing to digital media security and explainable AI (XAI) solutions. Current detection systems often face challenges related to their 鈥渂lack box鈥� nature, which limits transparency and hampers trust in AI decision-making, particularly in sensitive areas. By designing a hybrid system, this research ensures that high-dimensional, nuanced artifacts in synthetic audio are detectable while also improving model interpretability, making detection results more understandable for end users. The proposed system will be rigorously benchmarked using the ASVspoof5 dataset to evaluate performance across both in-domain and out-of-domain scenarios, ensuring resilience and generalization across various types of deepfake manipulations. This project鈥檚 contributions are expected to enhance digital media security by providing a practical and interpretable detection tool applicable in critical fields like law enforcement, biometrics, and media verification, where high accuracy and reliability are essential. With a focus on improving both detection accuracy and interpretability, this research aims to create a deeper understanding of AI-based detection systems and promote trustworthy AI applications in the context of audio security challenges.
Dr. Trevor R. Nelson
Assistant Professor of Musicology
College of Fine Arts
Dr. Trevor R. Nelson (he/him) is Assistant Professor of Musicology at Wichita State University. Central to his teaching, research, and service are questions of how music education practices and institutions contribute to and maintain historical inequities, as well as the drive to develop practical solutions to create a more just artistic world. His research concerns the post-World War II British Commonwealth and how music informed the development of a globally minded Britishness. His writing has appeared in Twentieth-Century Music, Ethnomusicology Review, NABMSA Reviews, and Notes. At 好色先生, Dr. Nelson teaches undergraduate courses in music history, global music cultures, and popular music studies, as well as graduate seminars in Listening to Empire, and Music, Childhood, and Youth. He completed his Ph.D. at the Eastman School of Music鈥擴niversity of Rochester in 2023.
Project Abstract
Musicologists and cultural historians have considered the ways imperial expansion influenced how musicians and listeners conceived of British musical identity (Ghuman 2014; Richards 2002; Webster 2005). Yet scholars have ignored the effect of mid-twentieth century imperial decline on musical Britishness. With the British Empire鈥檚 decline in the mid-twentieth century, how was musical Britishness adapted to foster a globally minded outlook on citizenship and positive relations with former colonial holdings? In this project, I examine how musicians used their art in instructing Britons about imperial decline and the Commonwealth鈥檚 formation as a post-imperial cultural collective. This project concerns six case studies from multiple musical genres, from children鈥檚 operas to concept albums. The study will result in a monograph titled Let鈥檚 Make A Commonwealth: Musical Britishness at the Twilight of Empire, where I argue that music and sound were tools in teaching new modes of global citizenship; thus, Britons heard the decline of their Empire, the deimperializing process, and the Commonwealth鈥檚 formation. With URCA funding, I will travel to the UK to visit three archives (The Britten-Pears Foundation Archive in Aldeburgh, The Mass-Observation Project Archive in Brighton, and the Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru in Aberystwyth) and view primary sources necessary to complete my monograph. Ultimately, I establish music鈥檚 use in instructing the British people about their nation鈥檚 new place in the global matrix of power, thus providing new insight into the study of cultural transmission, the politics of national heritage, and the United Kingdom鈥檚 continued reckoning with race and imperial identity.
Dr. Claudia Pederson
Associate Professor of Art, Design & Creative Industries
College of Fine Arts
Claudia Costa Pederson received a PhD. in Art History and Visual Studies from Cornell University. She is the author of Gaming Utopia, Ludic Worlds in Art, Design, and Media(Indiana University Press, 2021). Her writings appear in various journals including Arteologie, Media-N, Review: Literature and Arts of the Americas, and Afterimage, and in edited volumes on film and media, including The Ethics of Documentary Film(2025) , Handbook of Documentary(2025) , Latin American Modernisms and Technology(2018), The Philosophy of Documentary Film(2016), Cinema em Redes:Tecnologia, Estetica e Politica na Era Digital(2016), and Indie Reframed: Women Filmmakers and Contemporary American Independent Cinema(2016). She is Associate Professor of Art History at 好色先生, Kansas, curator for the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival at Ithaca College, New York, and recipient of the Andy Warhol Arts Writers Grant 2022.
Project Abstract
Dr. Maggie Ward
Assistant Professor School of Nursing
College of Health Professions
Dr. Maggie Ward is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing within the College of Health Professions. She began her career as a staff nurse in oncology in 2006. Since that time, she has worked a multitude of roles in the care of cancer patients, including research, nurse navigation and now as a genetics practitioner for hereditary cancer syndromes. Since starting at 好色先生 in 2021, her research has focused on oncology survivorship, hereditary cancer syndromes, cancer prevention and cancer screening. Her current focus of HPV vaccination is to determine current rates of vaccination, barriers to vaccination and ultimately, to further educate the community on the benefits of HPV vaccination, including the significant reduction in HPV-related cancers. Dr. Ward is honored to receive the URCA grant to begin this research endeavor and looks forward to further expanding her research over the coming years.
Project Abstract
In the United States, the human papilloma virus (HPV) causes nearly 21,700 cancers among women and 15,600 cancers among men each year. HPV is associated with cervical, vaginal, penile, anal, vulvar and oropharyngeal cancers. It is estimated that HPV is associated with 10% of cancers in women and 5% of cancers in men, while the HPV vaccination can prevent this viral infection; therefore, preventing the development of HPV-related cancers. This project proposes to assess the HPV vaccination rate among college age students, ages 18-24, specifically within the 好色先生 community, in order to determine barriers to vaccination, education needs of students related to HPV vaccination and determine potential opportunities to provide vaccination within the university community. Through the receipt of the URCA grant, monies will be used as seed funding for future research and application for funding through the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute to expand to a larger population. In partnership with the Immunize Kansas Coalition, it is planned to expand this assessment study following the completion of this research and procure funding for students across the state of Kansas (especially those that are uninsured) to provide the HPV vaccination series.