The Robert H.N. Ho Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative (MBBI) supports, sometimes in conjunction with other units, faculty and staff from across the University in pursuing a wide variety of projects. Funded projects include research, events, performances, and travel.
In its first few years, MBBI awarded more than 25 grants, and the initiative's reach continues to grow.
2023-2024
Major Grants:
- DNA sequencing to investigate links between head impacts and changes in the gut microbiome in football players
Ken Belanger (Biology) - Quantifying cultures of discrimination to address health disparities among LGBTQ+ individuals
Erin Cooley (Psychological and Brain Sciences), Will Cipolli (Mathematics) - Song-entangled beat gesture in songbirds: a window to the mind and brain
Wan-chun Liu (Psychological and Brain Sciences, Neuroscience) and Spencer Kelly (Psychological and Brain Sciences, Neuroscience) - The immune system as the brain’s sculptor during metamorphosis
Anzela Niraula (Psychological and Brain Sciences) - Children’s sleep, stress, and learning study - II
Lauren Philbrook (Psychological and Brain Sciences)
Discretionary Grants:
- The effects of popular culture on attitudes about politics and the economy
Danielle Lupton (Political Science) - Aspirations, Beliefs, and Behavior: Results from a Randomized Religious Intervention in Kenya
David Murphy (Economics) - Investigating the border-associated macrophages in the stressed brain
Anzela Niraula (Psychological and Brain Sciences, Neuroscience) - Changing identity salient beliefs
Allison Zengilowski (Psychological and Brain Sciences) and Karen Harpp (Geology, Peace and Conflict Studies)
2022-2023
Major Grants:
- A transcriptomics approach to connecting circadian misalignment to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Krista Ingram (Biology), Ahmet Ay (Biology, Mathematics) - EEG headsets and project to examine brain waves of group in response to leaders
Carrie Keating (Psychological and Brain Sciences), Bruce Hansen (Psychological and Brain Sciences, Neuroscience), Sinhaeng Lee (Music) - Learning and memory in zebra finches during long-term light exposure
Wan-chun Liu (Psychological and Brain Sciences, Neuroscience) - Shared activities and partner responsiveness in sleep and health
Jennifer Tomlinson (Psychological and Brain Sciences), Lauren Philbrook (Psychological and Brain Sciences)
Discretionary Grant:
- RNA sequencing experiment examining differences in gene expression during sensory neuron development in cavefish
Jason Meyers (Biology, Neuroscience)
2021-2022
Major Grants:
- An exploration of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality immersive technologies for research and teaching at °Ä²Ê¿ª½±'s Mind, Brain, and Behavior Center
Carrie Keating (Psychological and Brain Sciences), Bruce Hansen (Psychological and Brain Sciences, Neuroscience), Niranjan Davray (Information Technology), Ahmad Khazee (Information Technology) - MBBI Scholars Student/Faculty Research Program (Pilot)
Krista Ingram (Biology), Spencer Kelly (Psychological and Brain Sciences, Neuroscience), Ahmet Ay (Biology, Mathematics) - Investigation of gut microbiome composition and changes during recovery from concussion in college-aged student-athletes
Chuck Monteith (Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics), Paul Klawitter (Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics), Ken Belanger (Biology), Ahmet Ay (Biology, Mathematics) - Long-run effects of an alcohol mitigation program on aggression between spouses in rural Kenya
David Murphy (Economics), Carolina Castilla (Economics)
- Anna DeForest Lunch with Health Sciences student group and Living Writers Lecture
Jennifer Brice (English) - Suchi Reddy Visit and Ryan Lecture in ARTS
Caroline Guile (Art, Medieval and Renaissance Studies) - Chef Joseph Yoon Visit and Brown Bag, “Can Eating Insects Save the Worldâ€
Julia Sparks (Environmental Studies, Sustainability) - Carlos Montemayor Visit and Lecture, “Defining Artificial and Biological Intelligenceâ€
Maura Tumulty (Philosophy) - Paul Armstrong Visit and Lecture, “How Literature Plays with the Brainâ€
Arts and Humanities, English - Tillman Vierkant Seminar on Neurophilosophy of Freewill at °Ä²Ê¿ª½±
Maura Tumulty (Philosophy) - Opioid Epidemic Symposium
Ewa Galaj (Psychological and Brain Sciences, Neuroscience) - Production of the play, Kinderkrankenhaus
Jesi Buell (Libraries), Regina Conti (Psychological and Brain Sciences) - Production of the play, The Good John Proctor
Adrian Giugea (Theater)
- Travel expenses for behavioral research fellowship semester in Cambridge
Yang Song (Economics)