When Suchismita Ray joined the School of Health Professions in 2018, she arrived with a National Institutes of Health grant that led to a groundbreaking study using brain imaging and advanced data analysis to distinguish individuals with opioid use disorder from those without it.
This research is helping lay the groundwork for more precise, science-based approaches to diagnosing and treating addiction.
Since then, Ray, associate professor in health informatics, has continued to expand her research into both opioid and alcohol use disorders. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded two major NIH grants in September 2024, further advancing her work on the neural mechanisms of addiction and relapse.
With a $3.18 million grant, Ray is studying the effectiveness of extended-release Guanfacine pharmacotherapy and mindfulness meditation—separately and together—in individuals receiving buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder. The goal is to improve stress regulation and reduce cravings, thereby lowering the risk of relapse.
She also received $1.38 million to explore the use of extended-release Guanfacine in women with alcohol use disorder, evaluating whether the medication can reduce cravings and improve impulse control.
Together, these projects have the potential to inform more effective treatments and ultimately reduce addiction-related deaths nationwide.
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Dave Kietrys, associate professor and vice- chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, is receiving national recognition for his research on rehabilitation and disability issues for people living with HIV and HIV-related neuropathy.
Kietrys studies the impact of accessible, at-home treatments such as mindfulness meditation with the potential to improve patients’ mobility and daily function. His research focuses on peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage that occurs outside of the brain and spinal cord, which often causes pain or numbness in extremities.
“By understanding how neuropathy impacts these patients’ lives, we can help the evolution of effective and targeted treatments to control their pain and improve their quality of life and ability to function day -to-day,” said Kietrys.
The American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Oncology recognized Kietrys’ work with two top honors this year. He was first presented the Research Award for his body of work in HIV therapy, acknowledging the enduring impact of his research in the field.
In addition to the recognition for the scope of his research, Kietrys also received the Research Platform Award for his presentation on a pilot study measuring the potential effects of mindfulness mediation and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on pain and quality of life compared to traditional medical care in patients with HIV experiencing neuropathy in their feet.
Physical therapy is changing to include behavioral interventions and wearables such as meditation and the TENS device. By investigating at-home treatments that may be easier for patients to use, Kietrys’ work is paving the way for alternative therapies.
