Current Research Projects

Our primary research mission is to conduct state-of-the-art research examining the risk factors, impact, and management of the psychosocial consequences of chronic illnesses. Learn about our current research projects in the following areas:

Autoimmune Conditions
Cardiovascular Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Sleep Disorders
Tobacco Use and Smoking Cessation
 

Autoimmune Conditions

• MRI and MRS Correlates of Cognitive Function in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Kozora, PhD
  Support: National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
  
  This study aims to identify potential mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction in SLE patients by examining quantitative brain structures (via MRI; magnetic resonance imaging), and neuronal metabolites (via MRS; proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy) in cognitively impaired SLE patients.
  
  For more information call 303-398-1141 or email Jamie Pelzman at pelzmanj@njhealth.org.

 

• Immune Correlates of Cognitive Function in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Kozora, PhD
  Support: National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
  
  This study aims to identify immune mechanisms including inflammation (cytokine activity) and autoantibodies (such as antiphospholipids) associated with cognitive dysfunction in SLE. This is a supplement to the MRI and MRS Correlates of Cognitive Function in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus study above.
  
  For more information call 303-398-1141 or email Jamie Pelzman at pelzmanj@njhealth.org.

Cardiovascular Disease

• CSP517 Substudy Outcomes Following Myocardial Revascularization: On and Off Cardiopulmonary Bypass
  Principal Investigator of Sub-study: Elizabeth Kozora, PhD
  Support: Veterans Administration Cooperative Study Program
  
  This sub-study study aims to compare change at one year in 2200 patients randomized to a larger study on or off cardipulmonary bypass. This study is now in analysis phase and is not enrolling studies.
  
  For more information call 303-399-8020, x2371 or email Michael Hampton, Neuropsychogical Outcomes Core Laboratory Coordinator at Michael.Hampton@va.gov.

COPD

• Caregiver Burden in Relatives of Patients with COPD
  Principal Investigator: Alison Heru, MD
  Support: National Jewish Health Natalie V. Zucker Foundation Award
  
  Family members often experience strain when caring for a relative with a chronic illness. This study will assess the experiences of relatives who have a family member with COPD. The study involves completing several questionnaires and will take about 45 minutes to complete.
  
  For more information call 303-398 1114 or email Dr. Heru at herua@njhealth.org.

 

• The Social Environment, Psychological Distress and Clinical Outcomes in COPD
  Principal Investigator: Kristin Holm, PhD
  Support: National Institutes of Health/National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
  
  The purpose of this study is to investigate connections between key aspects of the social environment (such as family relationships) and psychological and physical well-being in individuals with COPD. This study focuses on married couples in which one of the spouses has COPD.
  
  For more information call 303-398-1509 or email Dr. Holm at holmk@njhealth.org

 

• Illness Perceptions, the Social Environment and AATD-Associated COPD
  Principal Investigator: Kristin Holm, PhD
  Support: Alpha-One Foundation
  
  The major goal of this study is to investigate associations among how people think about their illness, key aspects of the social environment such as family relationships, and adjustment to alpha-1 antitryspin deficiency-associated COPD.
  
  For more information call 303-398-1509 or email Dr. Holm at holmk@njhealth.org.

 

• Cardiopulmonary Function and Cognition in COPD
  Principal Investigator: Karin Hoth, PhD
  Support: National Jewish Health
  
  The goal of this project is to better understand cardiopulmonary changes that underlie cognitive impairment in patients with COPD. The research examines the relationships among hypoxemia, vascular dysfunction, and cognitive functioning.
  
  For more information call 303-270-2167 or email Alison Murray at murraya@njhealth.org.

Sleep Disorders

• Motivating Adherence to CPAP in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Project BREATHE)
  Principal Investigator: Mark Aloia, PhD
  Support: National Institutes of Health/National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
  
  Project BREATHE is a continuation of an earlier study conducted by Dr. Aloia at Brown University. Its purpose is to investigate the efficacy of a psychosocial intervention designed to affect adherence to Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) treatment, the intervention of choice for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
  
  For more information call 303-398-1793 or email Lauren Smith lsmith@njhealth.org.

 

• Subcortical Hyperintensities in Sleep Apnea Syndrome
  Principal Investigator: Mark Aloia, PhD
  Support: National Institutes of Health/National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
  
  This study aims to enhance the understanding of the relationship between sleep apnea and cardiovascular and neurological disease by continuing the analysis of data collected through the Cardiovascular Health Study (Fried et al., 1991).
  
  For more information call 303-398-1913 or email Chris Knoepke, MSW atknoepkec@njhealth.org.

Tobacco Use and Smoking Cessation

• Development of Behavioral Couples Treatment for Smoking Cessation
  Principal Investigator: Heather LaChance, PhD
  Support: National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse
  
  This is a study of a behavioral couples treatment for smokers and non-smoking partners. Prior research shows that couples or family-based treatments for addictions are more effective than individual-only types of treatment. In this study, we hope to show that involving partners in smoking cessation helps people quit smoking more effectively.
  
  For more information call 303-398-1813 or email Ann Depew at depewa@njhealth.org.

 

• Tobacco Free Hospital Campus Evaluation
  Principal Investigator: Fred Wamboldt, MD
  Support: Colorado Department of Health and Environment
  
  This strategic initiative is designed to evaluate hospitals that have or are about to enact policies that stipulate their entire campus to be tobacco free. This project uses a web-based survey to collect pre and post transition data on employees' reactions to the change. This project is also evaluating the impact of a campus wide tobacco free policy on patient satisfaction. It will also measure the policy's impact at an institutional level, on things such as safety, relations with neighbors, and stumbling blocks or major successes when implementing this type of policy.
  
  For more information call 303-398-1059 or email Allison Rankin, MPH, MSW at rankina@njhealth.org.

 

• Improving Asthma Outcomes by Promoting Successful Environmental Tobacco Smoke Reduction Interventions in Primary Care Practices Serving Disadvantaged Pediatric Populations in Colorado
  Principal Investigator: Fred Wamboldt, MD
  Support: EPA, Region 8
  
  The purpose of this project, which spans metro Denver as well as eastern Colorado, is to enhance current clinical practices related to smoking cessation and second-hand smoke reduction. Clinics are initially trained in best practices for harm reduction of environmental smoke, with a special emphasis on pediatric populations with asthma. The clinics then take part in a brief survey on smoking and the practices current use of environmental tobacco smoke interventions. The findings from the survey and then presented to the clinic at a feedback session where clinics are offered further support and information on environmental tobacco smoke reduction strategies and services.
  
  For more information call 303-398-1059 or email Allison Rankin, MPH, MSW at rankina@njhealth.org.