Teams of researchers at the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ have been awarded $500,000 to help address challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.
Funds from the UA’s BIO5 Institute is going to 13 interdisciplinary groups. The institute is funded with the Technology and Research Initiative Fund, which taxpayers approved in 2000.
The projects revolve around better understanding the coronavirus and the impacts it has on people.
Over the next six months, some of the projects include:
- Investigating the makeup of the virus and identifying how it spreads rapidly worldwide.
- How pre-existing health conditions and the environment impact coronavirus infections.
- How the virus infects patients and causes long-lasting infections.
- Investigating how anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine can effectively be used while minimizing harmful effects.
- Using patient data from Banner-University Medical Center and local clinics to create a COVID-19 database. A second database will be used to determine a patient’s symptoms and factors for increased risk.
- Understanding the relationship between ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s outbreak and the national pandemic.
- Investigate how the coronavirus affects a person’s mental health.
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Photos for April 23: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Erika Munoz, owner of Seis Kitchen, hands over a bag of meals to Michael Gallagher Carondelet, a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital, to distribute to other nurses and hospital workers, on April 23, 2020. The donation was made in conjunction with A+C (Athletes/Artists+Causes) Foundation's “Project Frontline.†In two deliveries, 400 meals (200 poc chuck chicken and 200 puerco verde burritos) will be given to medical personnel at Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital. The particular donation was made possible by the Houston Astros' Pitching Coach Brent Strom, who lives in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Hospital workers wheel in carts full of catered meals donated by Seis Kitchen to Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital, on April 23, 2020. The donation was made in conjunction with A+C (Athletes/Artists+Causes) Foundation's “Project Frontline.†In two deliveries, 400 meals (200 poc chuck chicken and 200 puerco verde burritos) will be given to medical personnel at Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital. The particular donation was made possible by the Houston Astros' Pitching Coach Brent Strom, who lives in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Kristi Hall, a sixth grade teacher at Desert Sky Middle School, participates in planning a lesson with a fellow teacher on Zoom, at her home on April 17, 2020. Schools in the Vail School District are supposed to open in July due to their year-round school calendar. Plans are being made for the possibility of students returning to the physical classroom.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Bry Kelley, a warehouse assistant, places a pallet filled with food down next to other items donated to the Community Food Bank of Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on on April 21, 2020. Forty-one thousand pounds of flour, pasta and canned goods were donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The donation is part of an ongoing global effort by the church to address immediate needs of people and orgainzations due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
A pallet of food is placed down next to other items donated to the Community Food Bank of Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ on on April 21, 2020. Forty-one thousand pounds of flour, pasta and canned goods were donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The donation is part of an ongoing global effort by the church to address immediate needs of people and orgainzations due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Christian Bergman, 4th year University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ medical student, takes the temperature of a patient outside the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 19, 2020. Medical students from the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within the homeless population. “This is a vulnerable population in our community; they can’t defend themselves in a society already running short on supplies and resources,†said Bergman. Medical students and medical personal help by giving out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless. Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. As of Sunday April 19, there were 13 individuals whom are isolated in tents.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Lekha Chesnick, 1st year medical student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, talks with a homeless man (whom choose to not give his name) outside of the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 19, 2020. Medical students from the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within the homeless population. Medical students and medical personal help by giving out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless. Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. As of Sunday April 19, there were 13 individuals whom are isolated in tents.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Christian Bergman, 4th year University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ medical student, checks on a patient outside the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 19, 2020. Medical students from the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within the homeless population. “This is a vulnerable population in our community; they can’t defend themselves in a society already running short on supplies and resources,†said Bergman. Medical students and medical personal help by giving out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless. Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. As of Sunday April 19, there were 13 individuals whom are isolated in tents.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Elliott Dumont, owner of Roadrunner Bicycles, 6177 E. Broadway Blvd., works on a customer's bike on April 22, 2020. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has not slowed down bike shops. With many people at home, they are bringing bicycles for repairs and buying new ones for exercise. Dumont says he's booked out till the first week of May for tuneups on bikes.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Elliot DuMont, owner of Roadrunner Bicycles, 6177 E. Broadway Blvd., far left, helps Ethan Sasz, far right, and his son, Evan, 10, with a mountain bike purchase on April 22, 2020. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has not slowed down bike shops. With many people at home, they are bringing bicycles for repairs and buying new ones for exercise. Dumont says he's booked out till the first week of May for tuneups on bikes.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Marcella Montoya waits in her vehicle as general manger David Kessler brings out her order, as Bear Canyon Pizza serving their customers despite COVID-19 restrictions, April 22, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Kitchen manger Koa Hoffmann tosses dough while working up a crust for a call-in order as he and few others keep cooking at Bear Canyon Pizza despite COVID-19 restrictions, April 22, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Alvaro Enciso, a local artist, works in one of his studios at his home on April 9, 2020. Every Tuesday Enciso travels into the Sonoran desert to post crosses where migrants have died after crossing illegally over the U.S./Mexico border as part of a project he's titled Donde Mueren Los Suenos / Where Dreams Die. With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease his six year project is on hold and instead he works on other artwork at home.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, coronavirus
Dolly Spalding works on a pen and ink drawing in her apartment at the Redondo Tower Apartments on April 7, 2020. During her quarantine, Spalding has been creating drawings of all the Greek goddesses. She is collaborating with Emlyn Boyle, an artist from Ireland, and plans to publish a book with Boyle's writings.
Contact Star reporter Shaq Davis at 573-4218 or sdavis@tucson.com
On Twitter: @ShaqDavis1
In this Series
April's ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥-area coronavirus coverage: 1,200+ Pima County cases, stay-home order extended
Shaq Davis
Reporter
