Research Affinity Group Funding 

Repositioning the Future: A Bioengineering & Nursing Partnership to Prevent Pressure Injuries 

• Sarah Beldin, M.S.N. (Henry Ford Health)
• Tamara Reid Bush, Ph.D. (MSU College of Engineering)
• Justin Scott, Ph.D. (MSU College of Engineering)

In collaboration with Beldin, Bush and Scott, this funding supported a series of clinician engagement sessions focused on advancing ICU equipment design. These sessions brought together Henry Ford Health CVICU nursing staff and MSU’s Biomechanical Design Research Lab to evaluate the Sit Sense Recliner prototype, gather structured feedback, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. The initiative emphasized usability testing, resource-supported data collection, and design refinement to improve patient care and clinician workflow.
 

Building a Multidisciplinary Team for Health Equity and Genomics Research on Complex Disorders

• Hongsheng Gui, Ph.D. (Henry Ford Health)
• Ana Vazquez, Ph.D. (MSU College of Human Medicine)
• Fei Sun, Ph.D. (MSU School of Social Work)
• Eric Adjei Boakye, Ph.D. (Henry Ford Health)

In collaboration with Gui, Vazquez, Sun, and Boakye, this funding supported a multidisciplinary team for health equity and genomics research on complex disorders. This team generated important research findings that match with the specific aims of Henry Ford + MSU in the fields of precision health, health disparities, and population health.
 

9th Annual Patient Advisor Retreat

• Paige Coyne (Henry Ford Health)
• Sara Santarosa (Henry Ford Health)
• Krista Walker, Ph.D. (MSU College of Nursing) 

In collaboration with Henry Ford Health's Patient Engaged Research Center and MSU investigators, these funds supported the 9th Annual Patient Advisor Retreat. This event expanded Henry Ford’s annual Patient Advisor Retreat to bring together 150 attendees, including patient/community advisors and investigators from both institutions. The conference featured keynote and panel sessions, breakout workshops, a poster session, and collaborative activities designed to build community, disseminate findings, and generate ideas for future multi-investigator grant submissions focusing on patient and community-engaged research.

Immunology Research Symposium

• Geoffroy Laumet, Ph.D. (MSU College of Natural Science)
• Qing-Sheng Mi, Ph.D., M.D. (Henry Ford Health)

In collaboration with Mi and Laumet, the funding supported the second Immunology Research Symposium to unify Michigan’s immunology research community. Building on the success of the inaugural event, the symposium promoted interdisciplinary collaborations across fields such as neuroscience, cardiovascular health, metabolism, gastrointestinal biology, dermatology, and cancer while increasing participation from trainees and underrepresented groups. The program included a keynote speaker, networking opportunities, and trainee awards to enhance collaboration and advance translational science.

Otolaryngology Business of Medicine

• Steven Chang, M.D. (Henry Ford Health)
• Nicholas Hays, Ph.D. (MSU Broad College of Business)

In collaboration with Chang and Hays, the funding will support a one-day interdisciplinary think tank to spark new research collaborations between Henry Ford and MSU. The event will convene at least 75 participants from diverse fields for keynote remarks, structured breakout sessions, collaborative idea generation, and networking activities. Teams will pitch research concepts for future multi-investigator grant submissions, advancing partnerships in areas such as population health, health disparities, and precision health.

 

Bridging Research Gaps in Musculoskeletal Health: An Inclusive Community Building Effort

• Matthew Harkey, Ph.D. (MSU College of Education)
• Amanda Ali, Ph.D. (Henry Ford Health)
• Charles Day, M.D. (Henry Ford Health)
• Jane Manfredi, Ph.D. (MSU College of Veterinary Medicine)
• Jacek Cholewicki, Ph.D. (MSU College Osteopathic Medicine)
• Micah Lissy, M.D. (MSU College of Human Medicine)
• Adam Alessio, Ph.D. (MSU College of Engineering)

In collaboration with Harkey, Ali, Day, Manfredi, Cholewicki, Lissy, and Alessio, this funding was used to organize a research retreat aimed at fostering robust scientific collaborations among researchers at MSU and Henry Ford. This event focused on fields critical to musculoskeletal health, orthopedics, sports medicine, biomechanics, and imaging. 

View the event summary and highlights here.