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Recent Grant Awards
HRI co-founder Dr. Lorraine R. Reitzel is the recipient of two impactful grant awards.
Investigating Vaccine Hesitancy in Houston’s Underserved Communities
With COVID-19 vaccines more readily available than ever, there remains vaccine hesitancy in diverse…
Winners of the 2020-21 Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity
The University of Houston announced the winners for the 2020-21 Awards for Excellence in Research, S…
The 2021 Faculty Excellence Awards
We'd like to congratulate former HRI mentee and UHAND mentor, Dr. Rosenda Murillo for being the…
Latest News
Back to normal? Psychologists warn the pandemic could have lasting effects
HRI fellow, Dr. Michael Zvolensky, is featured in this informative NBC news article about the long-t…
Latinx Young Adults Who Worry About Heart Conditions at Higher Risk for Mental Health Disorders
HRI fellow, Dr. Michael Zvolensky, is featured in this important UH news article about heart-focused…
Recent Grant Awards
HRI co-founder Dr. Lorraine R. Reitzel is the recipient of two impactful grant awards.
HRI Would Like to Welcome Our New Affiliate
Dr. Mills' work primarily focuses on examining the cognitive, social, and linguistic resources…
Dr. LeChauncy Woodard Named Laureate by American College of Physicians
HRI executive board member, Dr. LeChauncy Woodard was the 2020 recipient of the Laureate Award. It…
Investigating Vaccine Hesitancy in Houston’s Underserved Communities
With COVID-19 vaccines more readily available than ever, there remains vaccine hesitancy in diverse…
The 2021 Faculty Excellence Awards
We'd like to congratulate former HRI mentee and UHAND mentor, Dr. Rosenda Murillo for being the…
Winners of the 2020-21 Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity
The University of Houston announced the winners for the 2020-21 Awards for Excellence in Research, S…
Racial and gender inequities in the implementation of a cannabis criminal justice diversion program in a large and diverse metropolitan county of the USA
HRI Affiliate, Dr. Marcel de Dios, has recently completed a study that examined data from Harris Cou…
Want to Cut Back on Holiday Boozing? Learn to Hack Your Biology
HRI Director, Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, is featured in this gripping article about stress and its impact…
A closer look at the Third Ward by the co-chair of the Third Ward Health and Wellness committee
HRI Community Advisory Board member, Dr. Amelia Averyt spoke to us about the importance of the healt…
"Taking Texas Tobacco Free" with Lorraine Reitzel
HRI, Co-Founder & Co-Director, Dr. Lorraine Reitzel was the guest speaker for the Hewlett Packar…
Pandemic Sets Off Future Wave of Worsening Mental Health Issues
Worry, Fear of COVID-19 Amplifies Risk of Substance Abuse
Pursuing Health Equity
Introducing our New National Research Center, a giant leap forward in Helping Everyone Achieve a Lif…
Older ladies with Type 2 diabetes have completely different patterns of blood use of their brains
HRI affiliate, Dr. Stacey Gorniak found that brains of older ladies with Type 2 diabetes don’t use a…
In High and Low Enforcement Jurisdictions Alike, Most Latino High School Students Express Fear of Deportation
HRI mentee, Jodi Berger Cardoso, led a research effort on how Latino high school students in Harris…
A Q&A with a leading member of the African American Health Coalition
HRI communicated with Community Advisory Board member, Jeanette Lastrape, who is also the Co-Chair o…
2020 Stresses Plus Self-Medicating Can Be Deadly
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, Director of HRI, is featured in this important article regarding drug overdose…
A Leading Sleep Researcher Addresses Some Important Questions Regarding Stress and Anxiety
2020 has been a year like no other bringing with it trauma and mental health challenges. We did a Q…
Racial Health Disparities Panel
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, Director of HRI, was a panelist in a virtual panel discussion on Black health.
HRI Annual Report
Our annual report is ready to view!
Dr. Obasi is a Featured Expert During Viewing of George Floyd
Dr. Obasi was a featured expert on Houston's ABC13 News Today. He discussed the traumatic effec…
Meet the New UHAND Scholars
We are excited to announce that the UHAND project has a second cohort of scholars, which comprises o…
UHAND Graduation
Project UHAND'S first cohort has graduated from the program! It has successfully increased the…
Dr. Lorraine Reitzel Works to Reduce Tobacco Use During Crisis
Studies have shown that people smoke more following natural disasters. As COVID-19 disrupts daily li…
Opinion. We Shouldn’t Want to Return to Normal After COVID-19. Let’s Invest in Everyone’s Health.
In this powerful piece, Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, Director of HRI, discusses how the coronavirus pandemic…
Project TOUCH Has Come to a Close
The HEALTH Research Institute designed the TOUCH program, funded by the United Health Foundation and…
Expert believes COVID-19 testing sites must be mobile to help vulnerable communities
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, Director of HRI, speaks to Fox News regarding the importance of COVID-19 mobile…
HRI Would Like to Welcome Our New Fellow
Dr. Fatima Merchant, Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Technology.
Stress Test: Putting Stress of Pandemic, Quarantine to Good Use
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, Director of HRI, speaks about ways to manage stress during COVID-19 social dist…
HRI Would Like to Welcome Our New Affiliate
Dr. Michihisa Umetani, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry and Center…
Telehealth Expansion: A Chance to Redefine Health Care
HRI, affiliate Dr. Liaw discusses the basics, benefits, and challenges of virtual doctor visits duri…
What Coronavirus Means for Food Insecurity
Former HRI mentee, Daphne Hernandez speaks about what happens when schools close for an extended per…
Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston Announce Collaborative Grant Awardees
HRI affiliate, Kamran Alba and Fatima A. Merchant were among the 9 selected from a very large and co…
Dr. Lorraine Reitzel Awarded CPRIT Grant
Dr. Lorraine Reitzel, Co-Director of the HEALTH Research Institute, was featured in Inside Research…
HRI Director Named Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Fellow
Dr. Reitzel, co-director of HRI, was welcomed into the newest class of fellows for the Society of Re…
Pilot Grant Awardees
HRI awarded 2 pilot project grants to expand the HRI’s membership and work in the area of basic biom…
HEALTH A Call to Action - Pre-Conference and Conference
The HEALTH Research Institute (HRI) held its inaugural conference, HEALTH: A Call to Action, on Frid…
If Not Now, When?
HRI affiliate, Dr. Virmarie Correa-Fernández is featured in the UH Power Up Newsletter. She is direc…
New HRI Affiliate
Get to know our new affiliate and read about her research.
Dr. Rosenda Murillo Presents Research at the 12th American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Conference
Shreya Desai (UHAND undergraduate Scholar) and Dr. Rosenda Murillo (UHAND Early Stage Investigator)…
Community Highlight - Acres Homes
Acres Homes, with its rich and diverse history, has activated the community to bring healthy food ho…
Dr. Virmarie Correa-Fernandez Presents about the Importance of Project Taking Texas Tobacco Free
Dr. Virmarie Correa-Fernandez, Taking Texas Tobacco Free co-investigator, speaks to the University o…
Pilot Grant Awardees
With the support of the Division of Research, the HEALTH Research Institute (HRI) awarded 2 pilot pr…
TOUCH Program Reports Success in Houston’s East End
One year after launching in Houston’s East End, the University of Houston’s Project TOUCH (Treating…
Daphne Hernandez Named Fellow in American Academy of Health Behavior
Executive Board Member Daphne Hernandez received a unanimous endorsement on the strength of her sust…
Health Care Intervention: Treating High-Need, High-Cost Patients
HRI affiliate, Dr. Buck and his research team report a novel intervention to treating high-need, hig…
Distinguished Speaker Series: A Texas-Sized Fight Against Cancer
Attend this panel discussion on cancer and what it will take to achieve a cancer-free future in our…
UHAND Scholar Publishes Article on Health Research Among the Homeless with HRI Co-Authors
Taylor and her co-authors found that homeless people who did not get the recommended level of physic…
HRI Affiliate, Dr. Reed is Named Harris County Family Physician of the Year
Dr. Brian Reed has a passion for helping patients live healthy lives, and now his primary care colle…
Professional Development
All HRI Mentees are welcome to develop their leadership skills in our upcoming workshops.
HEALTH A Call to Action - Inaugural HRI Conference
2020 is a month away, which means we’re a month closer to the HEALTH Research Institute’s first conf…
Research Highlight - Mental Health
Dr. Berger Cardoso, explores the influence of immigration enforcement on mental health and school en…
Research Highlight - Smoking Cessation
Dr. Virmarie Correa-Fernández, aims to improve evidence-based practices to reduce behavioral health…
Community Advisory Board (CAB) Highlight
Ms. Melissa Edwards, is excited to announce the ADA's 10th Anniversary Houston Tour de Cure (cy…
Recent HRI Grant Submissions
This quarter HRI submitted grant submissions on a variety of topics such as addiction training, smok…
HRI Member Spotlight - Research
Dr. Daphne C. Hernandez recently received funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute…
Research Highlight - Physical Activity
Dr. Rosenda Murillo, is examining perceptions and barriers to physical activity among Latinx adults…
Pilot Research Program
In support of the HRI’s goal to become a national Center of Excellence, the HRI recently released a…
HRI Member Spotlight - Award
Dr. Michael Zvolensky received UH’s Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activ…
Mayor’s Back to School Fest
This event was created to help economically disadvantaged kids and their families. With partnerships…
HRI New Website
The HRI team is excited to announce the launch of our new website and YouTube channel! Check out our…
HRI Announces Pilot Funding for Basic Biomedical Science
Applications for feasibility and proof of concept studies are due July 1, 2019.
TTTF gives motivational interview training in Austin and San Antonio
TTTF conducted motivational interview trainings at Foundation Communities in Austin and Alpha Home i…
Project TOUCH Provides Free Preventative Health Screenings
On April 27th, Project TOUCH administered free health screenings at Mason Park. Based on their resul…
Community Dialog on Diabetes Panel
Dr. Obasi and affiliates, Dr. Liaw and Dr. Reed, spoke on the Community Dialog on Diabetes panel tha…
"Research Debriefed" highlights latest work of Rosenda Murillo
Research Debriefed, a series highlighting articles published by UH College of Education faculty, dis…
The National Behavioral Health Network Cites TTTF as a Tobacco Cessation Resource
TTTF’s program, featuring their impact in training, knowledge gain, and support to centers. They als…
TTTF Kicks Off Santa Maria’s Hostel Tobacco Free Date
On February 01, 2019, TTTF worked with Santa Maria Hostel at both their Jacquelyn House and Bonita H…
Project TOUCH East End Launch
HRI collaborated with Council Member Karla Cisneros to present the 2019 Health and Resource Fair to…
HRI gives health screenings at 2019 Health and Resource Fair
TOUCH, TTTF, and UHAND programs come to East End, in collaboration with Councilwoman Karla Cisneros…
HRI researchers featured in UH Magazine
The University of Houston Magazine's Fall 2018 edition, titled "The Health Issue," sp…
Dr. Reitzel, Discusses the TTTF Program in the Texas 21 Webinar
Dr. Reitzel (Principal Investigator) spoke at the Texas 21 Statewide Health Disparities Webinar wher…
Dr. Obasi shares tips for quitting alcohol on Fox 26
Dr. Obasi discusses treatment options for alcohol abuse that include behavioral therapy, medication,…
TTTF Featured in Kansas Tobacco Guideline
Members of the TTTF team were invited to present at the 39th annual Conference for Behavioral Health…
Project TOUCH is Spotlighted in Spanish Channel Univision
TOUCH's very own, Victoria Lara speaks about the importance of early prevention through changin…
New HRI Affiliates
Read about our new affiliates and their innovative research.
Partnership Moving into Houston’s East End after Success in Third Ward
Midway through a three-year, $2 million grant from the United Health Foundation, University of Houst…
TTTF Program Highlighted by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control released a report of promising policies and practices…
Nearly Half of Diabetics Skimp on Treatment Due to High Insulin Cost
According to the American Diabetes Association, between 2002 and 2013 the average price of insulin h…
National Science Foundation appoints Elebeoba May as Program Director
HRI Executive Board member Elebeoba E. May will serve in a year-long appointment at the NSF as a pro…
HRI featured in UH Research & Innovation 2017 Magazine
The latest issue of the UH Research & Innovation Magazine focuses on the role urban universities…
United Health Foundation Helps HRI Tackle Obesity and Diabetes
A $2 million grant will help the institute work to prevent and treat obesity and Type 2 diabetes in…
TTTF Presents with the National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco & Cancer Control About Initiatives Towards a Tobacco-Free Texas
Taking Texas Tobacco Free presented the need for a state-wide tobacco cessation program and the impa…
The HEALTH Research Institute officially launches at UH
The University of Houston releases its official announcement of the HEALTH Research Institute.
Obasi secures $2.5 Million to Study Effects of Stress on Substance Abuse
The five-year grant will support research from the UH College of Education to investigate mechanisms…
