Health

From the cellular level to the community level, CU Boulder researchers seek to understand the underlying causes of disease and turn their discoveries into solutions to improve human health. They’re developing new therapies for osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s, cancer and heart disease. They’re shedding new light on how people can optimize their sleep, diet and exercise. They’re collaborating with schools and communities to improve mental health, and much more.

Joints that could heal themselves? Researchers could get there in 5 years

Armed with up to $39 million in federal funding, a dream team of researchers from three Colorado campuses aims to end osteoarthritis.

CBD shown to ease anxiety without the risks that can come with THC

The first randomized trial to examine how commercially available cannabis impacts anxiety symptoms has shown that products heavy in the nonintoxicating compound CBD work surprisingly well—and without getting you high.

Suicide rates in the US are on the rise: New study offers surprising reasons why

Increased access to prescription opioids and a shrinking economic safety net contributed to an increase in suicide rates in the 21st century, according to CU Boulder research.

Faculty Experts on Health Research

Faculty experts from CU Boulder are available to discuss health, bioscience, mental health and more.ÌýTo arrange an interview,Ìýcontact CU Boulder media relationsÌýatÌýcunews@colorado.edu.

Health

Tanya Alderete

Ìý ÌýAssistant Professor, Integrative Physiology
Ìý ÌýExpertise: Environmental exposures and development
Ìý Read:ÌýPrenatal pollution exposure linked to lower cognitive scores in early life

Cinnamon Bidwell

Ìý ÌýAssociate Professor, Psychology and Neuroscience
Ìý ÌýExpertise: Effects of drugs of abuse, health impacts of cannabis
Ìý Read:ÌýA reliable cannabis breathalyzer? Possible, but not easy

Angela Bryan

Ìý ÌýProfessor, Psychology and Neuroscience; Co-Director, CUChange
Ìý ÌýExpertise: Exercise, health behaviors, cannabis
Ìý Read:ÌýCannabis can make workouts more fun, but it’s no performance-enhancer

Chris Lowry

Ìý ÌýProfessor, Integrative Physiology
Ìý ÌýExpertise: Gut microbiome, gut-brain axis and stress
Ìý Read:ÌýHealthy, stress-busting fat found hidden in dirt

Doug Seals

Ìý ÌýDistinguished Professor, Integrative Physiology;ÌýDirector,ÌýIntegrative Physiology of Aging Laboratory
Ìý ÌýExpertise:ÌýCardiovascular health,
Ìý Read:Ìý5-minute breathing workout lowers blood pressure as much as exercise, drugs

Amanda Stevenson

Ìý ÌýAssistant Professor, Sociology
Ìý ÌýExpertise: Impacts of abortion, family planning policy
Ìý Read:ÌýPost-Roe, contraception could be next

Ken Wright

Ìý ÌýProfessor of Distinction, Integrative Physiology;ÌýDirector,ÌýSleep and Chronobiology Laboratory
Ìý ÌýExpertise: Sleep, circadian rhythm
Ìý Read: Why permanent daylight saving time is a bad idea

Bioscience

Stephanie Bryant

Ìý ÌýProfessor, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Ìý ÌýExpertise: Tissue engineering
Ìý Read:ÌýJoints that could heal themselves? Researchers could get there in 5 years

Tom Cech

Ìý ÌýNobel Laureate; Distinguished Professor, Chemistry
Ìý ÌýExpertise: Nucleic acids, RNA
Ìý Read: How does a stem cell know what to become? Study shows RNA plays key role

Zoe Donaldson

Ìý ÌýAssociate Professor; Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
Ìý ÌýExpertise: Neurochemical underpinnings of grief, love, bonding
Ìý Read: Science confirms it: Love leaves a mark on your brain

Sara Sawyer

Ìý ÌýProfessor,ÌýMolecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
Ìý ÌýExpertise: Virology, pandemic preparedness, HIV-AIDS
Ìý Read:ÌýVirus hunter: Preventing the next pandemic

Mental Health

Sona Dimidjian

Ìý ÌýProfessor, Psychology and Neuroscience; Director, RenéeÌýCrown Wellness Institute
Ìý ÌýExpertise: Mental health, mindfulness, maternal wellness, healthy body image
Ìý Read:ÌýNewest research institute tackles mental health, wellness through integration of science, community

Ìý ÌýDirector, Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence
Ìý ÌýExpertise: Youth violence, school shootings
Ìý Read:Ìý25 years post-Columbine, it’s time to invest in ‘violence prevention infrastructure’​