Active Grants and Projects
UMB Research and Mentoring Program (RAMP)
The Research and Mentoring Program (RAMP) is a summer research training program for 11th and 12th grade high school students from Baltimore City that aims to prepare underrepresented students for careers in biomedical research. The overarching goal is to build a more inclusive biomedical research workforce, ensuring diverse perspectives contribute to advancements in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
UMB Leaders in Education: Academy of Presidential Scholars (LEAPS) Symposium
CAB Member Keyonna Hayes and her colleague, Cara Felter presented research supported by the Center for Disability Justice at the UMB LEAPS Conference on April 2, 2025. Their research explored Doctor of Physical Therapy students' self-perceived readiness to address patients' sexual health needs before and after an evidence-based educational intervention. Posters were evaluated for scientific merit and overall impact on Health Professions Education—Their Leaps Poster won the runner up award!
Paratransit Work
The CDJ research team has been focusing on projects to explore the lived experiences of older paratransit users and aims to develop initiatives that enhance life-space mobility and community participation. Given the limited existing research on this population, our team conducted qualitative interviews with older MTA paratransit users in Baltimore to identify key facilitators and barriers to usage. Our preliminary findings are informing ongoing and future collaborations with regional transit systems, including those in D.C. and Philadelphia, with the goal of increasing research capacity and raising awareness. Ultimately, the goal of this work is to support the development of practical training and toolkits to help older adults more effectively navigate urban paratransit services. To learn more email Morgan Fique at mfique@som.umaryland.edu
Merit
A project to examine how does a virtual group nutrition intervention paired with produce delivery and virtual teaching kitchen cooking demonstrations tailored for older Veterans with impaired mobility impact diet and functional mobility
iCONNECT
A community-based and community member co-developed intervention designed to support older adults in Baltimore City as they reintegrate into their communities following a lower limb injury. This multifaceted intervention enhances conventional recovery methods by providing additional support, ensuring successful aging in place.
Research at the Center
The Center for Disability Justice team, affiliate faculty, and affiliate trainees are working on many different research projects related to disability justice. Explore their research and publications below.
Publications:
Neighborhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Disability After Critical Illness