Howie Epstein PhD, Department Chair of Environmental Sciences

hee2b@virginia.edu

Howard E. Epstein is a professor of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia. His current research examines the recent dynamics of arctic tundra vegetation in response to changing climate and disturbances, and the effects that these vegetation changes have on other arctic ecosystem properties within the arctic tundra of North America and Russia. In the temperate forests of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic, he also examines carbon cycling along successional gradients from old-field to old-growth as well as carbon-water interactions in complex watersheds.

Aaron Mills PhD, Professor of Environmental Sciences

alm7d@virginia.edu

Aaron L. Mills is a professor of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia. His active projects examine the microbial transformations of contaminants and trophic transfer of energy through microorganisms. A main line of his inquiry deals with bacteria in the subsurface (groundwater) environment. Current projects include field and laboratory investigations of hydrological factors controlling the transient removal of agricultural nitrate in sediments of low-relief coastal streams, and the role of autotrophic microbes in the dissolution of carbonates in submerged caves.

Rupa Valdez PhD, Professor of Public Health and Systems and Information Engineering

rsv9d@virginia.edu

Rupa S. Valdez is a professor of both Public Health and Engineering systems and Environment at the University of Virginia. Her research focuses on understanding and designing solutions to support the ways in which people manage health at home and in the community. She is particularly interested in how health is managed among marginalized populations, including racial/ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and people living in under-resourced settings.

Rajesh Balkrishnan PhD, Professor of Public Health

rb9ap@virginia.edu

Dr. Balkrishnan is a tenured Professor of Public Health Sciences at UVA School of Medicine. He has published over 350 research articles and has served as a consultant to many global health agencies including the World Health Organization. He teaches PHS 3102: Data Analysis in Public Health both semesters in the Global Studies undergraduate program at UVA. He is currently involved in two major international global health projects: one focused on building public health infrastructure in Rwanda and the other focused on using cost- effective UVA developed technology to reduce the impact of air pollution in Nepal.

David Edmunds PhD, Associate Professor Global Development Studies

dse7r@virginia.edu

David Edmunds is an associate professor in the department of global development studies interested in environmental issues as they intersect with culture, social relations, politics and community development. He has worked in various countries in Africa and Asia, as well as with Native American tribal nations in the United States. Dr.Edmunds teaches Global Development Theory II and Development on Grounds as well as a variety of other courses, including Science, Technology, and Development and Culture.

Mami Taniuchi, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health

mt2f@virginia.edu

Her primary focus and expertise are in developing and implementing molecular diagnostic assays to detect multiple pathogens, including poliovirus, SARS-CoV-2, and other enteric pathogens from clinical and environmental samples in low-resource settings, implementing environmental surveillance for infectious diseases in LMICs, training and mentoring researchers at our overseas field sites. She travels extensively to work for prolonged periods at culturally and geographically diverse field sites to build capacity at collaborating institutions in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan and works with numerous collaborators at international and US institutions.

Michaela DuBay PhD, Assistant Professor

md3yb@virginia.edu

Michaela DuBay specializes in early identification and intervention for autism spectrum disorders from the perspective of speech-language pathology. Through community-based mixed-methods approaches, she is interested in how assessment and intervention methods can be modified to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse families. DuBay’s research has centered around the translation and cultural adaptation process for parent-report autism screening tools and parent-mediated interventions, specifically for Spanish-speaking Latin populations.

Mandy Rispoli, PhD, MEd, Quantitative Foundation Bicentennial Professor

mgj3r@virginia.edu

Dr. Mandy Rispoli is the Quantitative Foundation Bicentennial Professor of Special Education in the School of Education and Human Development and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst-doctoral level. Her research investigates supporting children with autism, their families, and teachers in underserved areas. Much of her work takes place in collaboration with partners in Western Kenya. This international partnership focuses on developing and evaluating a caregiver support and training program for parents of children with autism, understanding the educational experiences of children with autism, and designing and evaluating special education teacher training programs

Larry Merkel Jr., PhD MD

rlm3u@uvahealth.org

Dr. Larry Merkel Jr. is a Professor of Psychiatric Medicine that specializes in psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences, mostly in outpatient settings. He has over 43 years of experience in the medical field and extensive experience in psychotic disorders. Dr.Merkel’s research focuses on cultural psychiatry, ADHD, and psychosomatics. He specializes in community and cultural psychiatry, but also treats people with psychosis and observes it from a cultural perspective. His most recent publication investigates the interpretation of depression shared among kin. He is the Director of the department’s Outreach Division, and he also oversees the department’s psychotherapy training.

Jacki Hodges, MD, MPH

jch6sd@virginia.edu

Dr. Jacki Hodges is a fourth-year American Board of Internal Medicine research pathway fellow in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health that was selected for the HIV, Infectious Disease, and Global Health Implementation Research Institute. Dr. Hodges’s award period project will be focused on a mobile health program adaptation for treatment of HIV and opioid use disorder in Washington, D.C.

Kelsie Kelly Smith PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor Public Health Sciences

kdkelly@virginia.edu

Dr. Kelly Smith is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences in the UVA School of Medicine. Her research examines both locally and globally the health disparities that exist among minority populations in urban and rural communities. Her current work focuses on examining racism, stress, and trauma in public housing residents using principles of CBPR, health education in community based spheres, and is the current Director of the Pathways Scholar Program recruiting minority students from HBCUs in Virginia. She teaches qualitative research methods as well as a Maymester course in St. Kitts and Nevis on the Social Determinants of Adolescent Health. She advises students in the Global Public Health Program and is an Associate Dean in the Office of African American Affairs.

Emma Mitchell, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, UVA School of Nursing

emm6z@virginia.edu

A public health nurse scholar, an award-winning educator, and a “40 Under 40” winner from the Virginia Nurses Association—is an assistant professor and co-directs its Global Initiatives.

With her community partners, Mitchell oversaw work in rural Virginia to plan, develop, and study a novel approach for cervical cancer screening, treatment, and follow-up using a HPV self-collection test, including the use of mobile mammography to pair cervical cancer screenings. She's studied issues that affect uptake of the HPV vaccine, the feasibility and acceptability of the HPV self-collection test, and, with colleagues, led a study on how pairing the HPV vaccine with other immunizations led to increased rates of vaccination.

Professor Mitchell leads two research projects which can support global scholars in 2024: mHealth and Cervical Cancer prevention in Bluefields, Nicaragua and the impacts of climate change on the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua:

CGHE University Scholar Award:

The CGHE University Scholar awards promote multidisciplinary research focused on global health equity. Since 2001, CGHE has supported opportunities for UVA faculty mentored global engagement in collaboration with global partners that is open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from all Schools across Grounds. We encourage student interest in working with diverse faculty leaders and partners at collaborative global sites, locally at UVA, or virtually. We welcome proposals which align with our best practices and policies for global engagement. Please see our FAQ for answers to common questions. Please contact us for advising, questions, or to talk about other opportunities to engage.

The Double Hoo Award:

The Double Hoo supports between 10-15 pairs of undergraduate and graduate students pursuing research together each summer. The program is intended to build collaborative interactions between the undergraduate and graduate communities throughout the University. These collaborations provide opportunities for more advanced research by undergraduates and valuable mentoring experiences for graduate students.

Harrison Undergraduate Research Award:

The Harrison funds outstanding undergraduate research projects to be carried out in the summer following application.

Kenan Award:

The Kenan supports educational opportunities for students to conduct projects in the summer that increase public understanding of the Academical Village.

University Undergraduate Award for Arts Projects:

The University Undergraduate Award for Arts Projects is intended to expand students’ opportunities for creative inquiry and showcase significant accomplishments in the arts. The program funds outstanding undergraduate projects in the arts to be carried out in the summer.

THE HANNAH GRAHAM MEMORIAL AWARD:

This award will support a year-long educational engagement related to a topic or issue relevant to promoting health and development and/or to reducing the incidence and/or severity of violence against women and girls. The engagement will include coursework or independent study during the semester preceding the field placement to prepare for research or service work in the chosen community. The field placement must be for at least eight weeks, and it is preferable that this placement occur in a French-speaking developing country (such as Rwanda or Morocco where University partnerships exist). During the semester following the field placement, the student will propose additional course work or mentored independent study to build on knowledge and skills gained during the field experience and to work to disseminate findings and consider options for sustained engagement with the host community. The number of recipients will be determined by the funds available and the quality of the applicants; the Board may select one or more or no recipients in any given year.

UVA College Council Grants:

These grants are intended to help fund the scholarly projects of students of the College of Arts and Sciences. The College Council, the governing body of the College of Arts and Sciences, sponsors these grants to promote a spirit of intellectual curiosity within the College, foster relationships between faculty and students, and best meet the needs of College students. Please contact Grants Chairs Hanna Sun and Catherine Schwarzschild at grants@uvacollegecouncil.com with any questions.

The Kapadia Family Global Studies Travel Award:

The Kapadia Family Global Studies Travel Award was established by the generous gift of the Kapadia Family in 2023. The program will award up to $5,000 in scholarship to one or two undergraduate students to support a global research or internship experience.

The student’s planned research or internship must be approved/sponsored by a Global Studies faculty member. Preference will be given to work connected with a Global Studies faculty member’s ongoing research or education abroad programs. Please reference our website to see a list of all core faculty.

Applicants are encouraged to pursue significant and innovative learning through research, education abroad, or internships that have the potential for continued inquiry.

Faculty Global Research with Undergraduates (FGRU):

The mission of the Center for Global Inquiry + Innovation (CGII) is to stimulate researching in all fields (Arts, Humanities, STEM) addressing problems and challenges of global scale, scope, concern, perspective, and impact. It aims to expand the compass and range of disciplinary commitments and possibilities, and seeks to promote collaboration among UVa colleagues and with colleagues beyond UVa and outside the U.S.

Graduate Global Research (GGR):

https://cgii.virginia.edu/graduate-global-research-ggr

Graduate students in any school engaged in global research may apply for funds to defray expenses for travel, tools, or anything else that can advance research agendas. This fund will support research that is global or transnational in nature, across disciplines.

Aigrain Global Scholarship:

The Aigrain Fund for Economic Development was established by the generous gift of Jacques Aigrain in 2007. Each year the Aigrain Global Scholarship program awards up to $4,000 in scholarship to at least two undergraduate students who are interested in any or all of the following:

Engaging in a serious research/academic project in any developing country.

Applying for an independent internship in an emerging market.

Working on a faculty-directed field project in a developing country.

The student’s planned research or internship must be approved/sponsored by a Global Studies faculty member. Preference will be given to work connected with a Global Studies faculty member’s ongoing research. Please reference our website to see a list of all core faculty.

Applicants are encouraged to pursue significant and innovative learning through research, education abroad, or internships that have the potential for continued inquiry.

UVA Global Internships Scholarship:

Thanks to the generous support of the Vice-Provost for Global Affairs and under the aegis of the ISO, UVA Global Internships aims to support undergraduate students participating in specific UVA-led applied learning programs. Grants will be awarded based on several criteria, including demonstrated financial need, thoughtfulness of application, and academic record. Award amounts will vary up to $3,000, as the committee will seek to offer grants to as many worthy students as possible.

The University of Virginia Jefferson Trust

THE JEFFERSON TRUST makes grants to innovative ideas that enrich the University of Virginia and the student experience. Founded in 2006, the Trust has awarded over $12.9 million to 315 trustee-selected projects across Grounds. Any student, faculty, or staff member may apply for funding, with grants typically ranging between $1,000 and $300,000. Grants have been made to every school; and many University organizations, centers, or institutes have received grants. To learn more about the organization, our grant-making, and our Trustees, view our 2022-2023 annual report.