External Awards Received
The ÂÜÀòÉç-Dearborn Office of Research is pleased to congratulate the following faculty members on receiving external funding for their research projects:
Principal Investigator: Youngki Kim, Mechanical Engineering, CECS
Project Title: Development of a Hierarchical Strategy for Mode Selection and Control in Electric Vehicle Thermal Management Systems
Sponsor: Hyundai Motor Company and Kia
Award Amount: $175,000
In this project, Dr. Kim, in collaboration with Dr. Jung and Dr. Kwak, will endeavor to improve the driving range of electric vehicles under various weather conditions by developing a hierarchical thermal management system (TMS) control strategy.
Principal Investigator: Joe Lo, Mechanical Engineering, CECS
Project Title: Influence of hypoxia on the antiviral functions of human intestinal epithelial cells
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health subaward (via University of Florida)
Amount: $283,010
The low oxygen environment (hypoxia) in the gastro-intestinal tract is fundamental for the preservation of the commensal microbiota and the maintenance of gut homeostasis. How hypoxia impacts the ability of intestinal epithelial cells to respond to enteric viruses is unknown and this constitutes the core question of this project. Manipulation of the cellular response to hypoxia could constitute a novel pharmacological approach to combat enteric viruses. In collaboration with the University of Florida, Dr. Lo’s team at ÂÜÀòÉç-Dearborn will develop a radial microfluidic gradient platform for modeling gut villi hypoxia. The device will be verified using a conventional fiberoptic oxygen probe for the initial design. The results of this study will inform the development of novel therapeutics targeting cellular responses to hypoxia to treat enteric pathogens, as well as for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases which is accompanied by oxygen-dysregulation in the gut.
Principal Investigator: Sonia Tiquia-Arashiro, Natural Sciences, CASL
Project Title: REU Site: Interdisciplinary Research Experiences in Urban Watershed Science
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Award Amount: $464,993
Through this 10-week summer research program, Dr. Tiquia-Arashiro will engage 30 undergraduate students from both community colleges and four-year institutions in hands-on, interdisciplinary research focused on urban river ecosystems. Participants will investigate the Rouge River watershed, a vital Southeast Michigan waterway that is impacted by urbanization, pollution, and climate change. With guidance from faculty mentors in Natural Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, and Mathematics and Statistics within the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters (CASL), students will gain experience in fieldwork, environmental data collection and analysis, and science communication. Their research will not only benefit local watershed health but also contribute to a global understanding of challenges facing urban freshwater ecosystems.
Principal Investigator: Areen Alsaid, Industrial & Manufacturing Systems Engineering, CECS
Project Title: CRII: HCC: Understanding Trust Transfer and Dynamics Across Automation Levels
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Award Amount: $175,000
Automated vehicles (AVs) have the potential to improve transportation safety, equity, and accessibility. However, their effectiveness depends on appropriately calibrated trust—too much trust can lead to complacency, while too little results in disuse. This project, led by Dr. Areen Alsaid, aims to model how trust in AVs forms and changes over time, particularly in partially automated systems where control shifts between human and machine. The research combines a survey study and a driving simulation to examine trust dynamics across different automation levels and driving contexts. Behavioral, physiological, and eye-tracking data will be used to develop a computational model of trust adaptation. This model will guide the design of adaptive human-machine interfaces that promote appropriate trust and enhance AV usability.
Research Events in August
- Presented by IRBMED, a unit of the Medical School Office of Research, this course is intended for those unfamiliar with eResearch, the university’s electronic research administration site. This course will provide a basic knowledge of working in and using eResearch while examining the process for creating and submitting an initial project application.
- Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, 2:30-3:45 p.m.; virtual
- RCR4K is a seminar that is designed to meet the requirements of the NIH K-23, or any federal or non-federal career development grant. The 5-session (10 hour) seminar is mostly interactive, practice-based, and focused on addressing RCR issues (ethics, integrity, and regulatory matters) that have arisen in the course of your own funded research. It’s relevant, interactive, and includes mentoring from experienced faculty.
- Session 3: Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, 9-11 a.m. - Authorship & Plagiarism
- Session 4: Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, 9-11 a.m. - Clinical Trial Design: The Support Trial
- Session 5: Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, 9-11 a.m. - Public Health Research, and Research with data and specimens: Henrietta Lacks and the Common Rule debate
- ÂÜÀòÉç-Ann Arbor North Campus Research Complex, Bldg. 300, Room 376
- RCR4K is a seminar that is designed to meet the requirements of the NIH K-23, or any federal or non-federal career development grant. The 5-session (10 hour) seminar is mostly interactive, practice-based, and focused on addressing RCR issues (ethics, integrity, and regulatory matters) that have arisen in the course of your own funded research. It’s relevant, interactive, and includes mentoring from experienced faculty.
- Join the OVPR Research Development team for their Fall Grant Prix Seminar Series, designed to enhance your grant writing skills and boost your chances of securing funding! Held every month on Friday at 12 p.m. via Zoom, these seminars will provide valuable insights and practical strategies for developing successful research proposals.
- Please choose the sessions you would like to attend below. After you sign up, a calendar invite will be shared with a zoom link. All sessions will be recorded and slides shared in our (use umich for login).
- Friday, Sept. 26, 12 p.m.: Maximizing Research Potential: Revising and Repurposing Proposals
- Friday, Oct. 17, 12 p.m.: Enhancing Grant Proposals with AI: Practical Tips and Responsible Use
- Friday, Nov. 21, 12 p.m.: Beyond the Proposal: Cultivating Strategic Funder Relationships
- Friday, Dec. 19, 12 p.m.: DOE 101
Research Resource Highlight: U-M Remote and Mobile Tech Expertise Finder
Every month, the Office of Research features a resource and/or tool that is available for researchers. This month we are featuring the U-M Remote & Mobile Tech Expertise Finder.
The U-M Remote & Mobile Tech Expertise Finder is a new tool to help researchers and their teams identify other U-M faculty and staff with experience in specific remote and mobile technologies. The tool currently has 100 different products indexed and new technologies are added regularly, including remote study management systems, wearable, nearable, and mobile tech, and medical grade actigraphy and activity monitors.
Additionally, the tool allows researchers to identify potential collaborators including those from disciplines outside of your own and see what technology is being used in research at U-M. Interested researchers can learn more about the on its website.
Upcoming Funding Opportunities
U-M Impact Institutes Information Session, Aug. 21
Impact Institutes Initiative’ goal is to establish research centers with initial Seed Stage funding of up to $200,000 for approximately 20 institutes. Up to five successful Seed Stage institutes may advance to the Venture Stage, receiving up to $500,000 annually for three years.
, which aims to position the university as a global leader in addressing societal challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and enhanced worldwide recognition, will host a virtual information session on Aug. 21, 12-12:45 p.m., to guide prospective applicants through the application process. Researchers from any U-M school, college or campus interested in interdisciplinary research and innovation are encouraged to .
Impact Institutes will also host another virtual office hours on , 4-5 p.m., for additional questions or one-on-one discussions, no registration necessary. Attendees will be admitted from on a first-come, first-served basis.
NEW NSF Translation to Practice (TTP) program
The supports use-inspired research, translational activities and partnerships that turn scientific discoveries into real-world solutions. Researchers can gain market insights, launch commercial applications and/or facilitate industry adoption. The program offers three tracks, each with different requirements, focus, and funding levels.
Interested researchers should read the and plan to attend the upcoming information session:
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, 2-3 p.m. EST
TTP program webinar:
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The Office of Research maintains a list of selected funding opportunities, organized by college, on our website under Announcements. In addition, we encourage you to check out the Hanover Research subject area calendars with funding opportunities, uploaded on a regular basis to our website.
Please refer to for more information and updates related to the Trump administration's changes to federal research funding.
Use the updated to look up internal (to U-M) funding opportunities and Limited Submission opportunities open to Dearborn researchers.
Contact the ÂÜÀòÉç-Dearborn Office of Research if you would like more information about submitting a proposal to any of the programs.
