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THIS MONTH IN INJURY SCIENCE @ PENN
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Learn about two core research projects starting this year, plus lots of training and career opportunities...
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Exciting Core Research Projects Underway
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As a CDC Injury Control Research Center, the Penn Injury Science Center has four core research projects every funding cycle. This year, two exciting research projects begin.
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School-based Bullying Prevention
Tracy Waasdorp and Brooke Paskewich at the CHOP Center for Violence Prevention and CHOP Center for Injury Research & Prevention lead a translational study of their evidence-based bullying prevention program. The team will work with teachers to adapt the program for long-term sustainability and effectiveness in the school environment. Preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is the CDC injury prevention priority addressed in this project.
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Mobilizing Social Media for Violence Prevention
Elinore Kaufman and Desmond Patton are the principal investigators of a study that will use the insights from key community informants to guide the analysis of social media content and the development of a prevention toolkit for violence professionals. Mobilizing social media for violence prevention addresses the CDC injury prevention priority of cross-cutting violence prevention, with potential for large-scale positive impacts.
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December 11th, 12:00-12:30pm Eastern | Virtual
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Click here to register for the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center's webinar on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, from 12 - 12:30pm, which will feature a presentation from Abby Spears, about "Rural Harm Reduction: Building an Ecosystem." If you have questions or experience any difficulties with the registration link, please email Carol Shirley (carol.shirley@unc.edu).
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December 17th, 2:30-4:00pm Eastern | Virtual
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Be sure to join this special edition of the Incubator, which will feature the two active core research projects of the Penn Injury Science Center, with topics on school-based bullying prevention and mobilizing social media for violence prevention.
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The Incubator at the Penn Injury Science Center (PISC) is open to the PISC community and its partners in order to provide a venue for discussion and collaboration. Presenters have found sessions helpful in discussing new ideas, participating in dialogue on emerging research concepts; refining their research proposal, questions or manuscripts; and receiving input about analytic approaches or interpretation of findings. Injury Science Incubators invite local and national scientists to present their research and programs, leading to new collaborations and directions for future investigation. The Incubator takes place on the 3rd Tuesday of every month, from 2:30-4:00pm (Eastern) via Zoom. Need the invite? Contact andrew.belfiglio@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
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December 17th, 3:00-4:00pm Eastern | Virtual
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Click here to register for the virtual Fireside Chat from the Penn Implementation Science Center (PISCE) and Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), featuring Jeanmarie Perrone, Maggie Lowenstein, and Jessica Meisner, moderated by Kelly Dyer and Jessical O'Neil.
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January 7th-10th, 2025 | In-person, University of Pennsylvania
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Registration for the 2025 GIS Institute is now open! From the Penn Center for Public Health, this institute is designed to develop the following skills:
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- Understand a broad range of ways Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be used within the public health context
- Gain hands-on experience performing spatial analysis using ArcGIS Online
- Learn how to create and analyze thematic maps, geocode addresses, and conduct queries
- Discover new ways to communicate your results by creating engaging web-based applications
- Develop individual research agendas that incorporate GIS methods
Location: Jordan Medical Education Center, University of Pennsylvania
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Full Institute Student Rate: $550
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Discounts are available for small community-based organizations.
To register and secure your slot for the 2025 GIS Institute, please email PennCPH@pennmedicine.upenn.edu. The team will direct you to the payment & registration portal.
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January 27th, 2025, 1:00-2:00pm Eastern | Virtual
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Stopping Gun Violence Before the 911 Call
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The Columbia Center for Injury Science and Prevention invites you to attend the hybrid webinar with Dr. Arthur Kellerman, Senior Vice President and CEO of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. Save this zoom link to attend the event: https://columbiacuimc.zoom.us/j/98554673388?pwd=RthweTdommzlI2Hb0YKRvwtgNYEabb.1
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April 7th-9th, 2025 | New York, NY
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Registration for the SAVIR 2025 Conference is now open, promising an exciting lineup of sessions, networking, and special events in vibrant New York City! Highlights include an inspiring Opening Keynote by Jessie Singer and a thought-provoking Closing Panel led by Cori Peek-Asa. Attendees can also look forward to a networking reception, an interactive consensus session, a new lightning plenary, and a variety of social events. With a record-breaking 330 abstracts submitted, this year’s conference is packed with diverse presentations and discussions. Don’t miss out on exploring NYC while engaging with cutting-edge research and ideas!
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Kit Delgado has been honored with a 2024 City & State Pennsylvania Impact Award. Dr. Delgado, an emergency physician and epidemiologist, leads innovative efforts to improve public health, including reducing distracted driving, promoting secure firearm storage, and addressing opioid overprescribing. His groundbreaking work exemplifies the transformative impact of behavioral design in health systems.
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The Safe Path program, a collaboration between the Philadelphia School District and the Penn Injury Science Center (PISC), aims to enhance school and community safety during dismissals. Led by Bernadette Hohl from PISC and supported by Anthony Singleton of Educators 4 Education (E4E), the program places trusted adults as Safe Path monitors to promote positive engagement and address conflicts.
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Safe Path currently operates at several Philadelphia high schools, providing critical support to students and fostering safer communities. Inspired by Chicago’s Safe Passage initiative, the program has shown promising results and plans to expand further.
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In a recent perspective piece, Vivek Ashok and colleagues highlight the significance of a new White House executive order enabling state Medicaid programs to reimburse health care providers for counseling on secure firearm storage.
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With firearm injuries now the leading cause of death among children in the U.S., this policy offers a critical opportunity to address preventable tragedies. Research shows that even modest improvements in firearm storage could prevent hundreds of injuries and deaths annually. Medicaid reimbursement not only supports lifesaving counseling but also reduces the financial burden of firearm injuries, which cost taxpayers billions each year.
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Sunny Jackson, part of the Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program, led a team distributing free gun safes and locks at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine. The initiative, part of Penn’s efforts to reduce firearm injuries, aims to keep guns away from children while meeting gun owners' needs for safe and accessible storage.
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The program has already provided over 60 gun locks and 21 safes, with more available through mail orders for Philadelphia residents. Secure firearm storage saves lives by preventing accidental shootings and reducing risks of suicide. Read more.
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Joel Fein co-authored research highlighting the protective role of supportive adults in mitigating intergenerational transmission of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Using data from over 1,000 households, the study found that children with strong connections to supportive adults had lower odds of adversity, even when parents faced high ACE exposure. The findings underscore the critical role of nurturing relationships in breaking cycles of trauma.
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Dave Humphreys, led a study estimating the growth of the U.S. civilian firearm stock, projecting an increase from 378 million firearms in 2022 to 565 million by 2034 under current trends. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights how modest increases in firearm attrition rates (from 1% to 3%) could reduce the stock by over 115 million.
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Improved infrastructure, such as enhanced buyback programs and services for unwanted firearm disposal, may help mitigate the risks associated with this growing stockpile. Read more: Full Study.
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The work of Gina South, Nicole Thomas, and colleagues is featured on the cover story of the fall/winter 2024 issue of Penn Medicine magazine. In transformative efforts to address structural drivers of health disparities, the work highlights the link between environmental interventions—like greening vacant lots—and reductions in violence and health disparities. Initiatives such as Deeply Rooted and Lift Every Voice foster community partnership and address systemic inequities.
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Katie Hoskins, with co-investigators Joel Fein, and Dorothy Novick, leads a new study funded by a $3.2 million NINR grant. This five-year project at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) scales out the S.A.F.E. Firearm intervention, promoting secure firearm storage to reduce injury risks among children.
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The nurse-led intervention, adapted for inpatient settings, provides parents with safety discussions and free cable locks. The study involves 12 randomized CHOP units, aiming to integrate firearm safety into pediatric care. Read more.
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The Young Chances Foundation, founded by Tyrique Glasgow of the Penn Injury Science Center’s Community Action Board, was selected as a beneficiary of the Assists for Safe Communities program. For each assist during the 76ers season, $76 will be donated to support grassroots violence prevention programs, including Young Chances’ critical work in Philadelphia.
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Gabriela Khazanov, a research psychologist with the Philadelphia VA and the University of Pennsylvania, co-authored a groundbreaking study on the impact of collaborative care in primary care settings. The research, featured in Healthcare Innovation, highlights improvements in depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among patients receiving integrated behavioral health services at Penn Medicine. Read more.
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RESOURCES
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Co-sponsored by Graduate and Professional Student Assembly and the Undergraduate Assembly, the photo booth is open during regular Career Services business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located in the Career Services office, the first come, first serve photo booth — called the Iris Booth — can be used by Penn undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, alumni, faculty, and staff for high-quality headshots.
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With our commitment to develop future generations of injury scientists across disciplines, the Penn Injury Science Center (PISC) provides statistics support for projects that are focused on the core mission of PISC and for which extramural resources are not currently available. Postdocs, clinical fellows, and early stage faculty that are affiliated with PISC are eligible for this benefit. This program offers statistical consultation through the BECCA Lab (Biostatistics, Evaluation, Collaboration, Consultation, and Analysis) at Penn Nursing. This could be a one-time consultation for a specific question or a series of meetings to support a project. See document linked above for more information.
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Have you received funding support or infrastructure support from the Penn Injury Science Center? If yes, the CDC funding needs to be acknowledged! Refer to this guide to know when and how you should cite the PISC R49 Center grant (R49CE003083 for 2019-2024 cycle and R49CE003566 for 2024-2029 cycle).
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Director of Research, Traffic Injury Research Found.
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The Traffic Injury Research Foundation is hiring a Director of Research. TIRF USA is an independent road safety research institute with a focus on behavioral research and evaluation. Candidates with a strong track record of managing and conducting research projects in the field of social sciences and behavioral research are invited to submit their CV and cover letter by Dec 15 @ 5pm Eastern to Dr. Ward Vanlaar, wardv@tirf.ca.
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Assistant/Associate Professor, Arizona State University
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The Center for the Study of Guns in Society (CSGS), housed in the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (SSFD) at Arizona State University (ASU), invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Professor. This full-time, benefits-eligible, academic-year (9-month) faculty position will begin in August 2025. We will consider any candidate eligible for appointment as a tenure-track assistant or associate professor in August 2025 (e.g., current ABDs, recently completed Ph.D., postdoctoral scholars, current assistant or associate professors).
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Multiple Opportunities for Student and Early Career
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Director of Health Justice Transformation
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The Director of Health Justice Transformation is a unique opportunity to help establish and grow the newly formed Center for Health Justice at Penn Medicine, whose vision is to achieve health through racial, economic, and environmental justice for Black, Brown, and other people and neighborhoods harmed by structural inequities. The Center, which sits within the Center for Health Care Transformation and Innovation (CHTI) and has two focus areas – transformation of health systems operations (Health Justice Transformation) and rigorous research and community action (Urban Health Lab).
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Community Engagement Coordinator, Deeply Rooted
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The Community Engagement Clinical Research Coordinator (CECRC) will assist with the overall community engagement strategy for the Deeply Rooted Collaborative within the Urban Health Lab (UHL) at the Penn Medicine Center for Health Justice (CHJ). Deeply Rooted is a community action initiative which centers community partnership and leverages the healing power of nature to improve health in Philadelphia neighborhoods.
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mHealth Training Institute
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The mHealth Training Institute (mHTI) is now accepting applications for its 2025 program. This preeminent training is designed to cultivate the next generation of transdisciplinary mHealth researchers.
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Building on the success of previous years, the 2025 mHTI offers a unique hybrid learning experience that combines online webinars with an immersive in-person session (July 20–24, 2025).
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The mHTI is led by experienced mHealth experts and National Institutes of Health (NIH) program officers, who will mentor participants in mastering advanced approaches and technologies. The program caters to both emerging and seasoned researchers aiming to build interdisciplinary connections and expertise, ultimately fostering the creation of health care solutions with substantial societal impact.
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CDC Associate Service Fellow, Tribal Health
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The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Division of Injury Prevention (DIP), is excited to announce an opportunity for an Associate Service Fellow position on the Tribal Support Team within the Program Implementation and Evaluation Branch (PIEB). This role is a Title 42 GS12 equivalent position aimed at recruiting Tribal American Indian and Alaska Native injury and violence prevention subject matter experts.
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Injuries and violence are significant public health concerns, leading to over 243,000 deaths annually in the U.S. The CDC’s Injury Center has dedicated over 25 years to researching and preventing these issues. The focus is on creating evidence-based solutions that keep communities safe, healthy, and productive. The Center's priorities include: Adverse Childhood Experiences, Opioids, Suicide
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The mission of the Division of Injury Prevention is to prevent injuries by connecting data, science, and action, ensuring equitable health opportunities for all. The division's strategies are guided by three main goals:
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1. Improve injury data availability and use.
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2. Develop data-driven evidence to catalyze injury prevention actions.
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3. Implement evidence-based programs and policies to prevent injuries.
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- Develop, plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate recipient activities.
- Assist in the development and implementation of programmatic activities, including technical assistance and evaluations.
- Build and maintain relationships with partners involved in Tribal injury prevention.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Report to the DOP Associate Director for Program Implementation.
- Master’s degree and at least one year of post-graduate experience related to injury prevention, or a Ph.D. (no postdoctoral experience required).
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with a proven ability to collaborate and lead program activities.
- Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating public health programs.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Willingness to travel 5-10%.
- Interested applicants should submit the following to Michon Mabry at fox1@cdc.gov by COB December 30th. Please include “Title 42-PIEB Tris Team” in the email subject line.
- Resume/CV and a brief statement of interest.
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Training Opportunity in IPV Prevention
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Are you an early-career researcher passionate about preventing intimate partner violence (IPV) among pregnant and postpartum women? Take your research to the next level with Project TIDAL, an NIH-funded R25 research education program co-led by Drs. Sangmi Kim and Ran Xiao at Emory University. TIDAL (Trauma-Informed Data Science for IPV Prevention) is recruiting doctoral students, postdoctoral research, and junior faculty (within 10 years of completing their terminal degree) for a 6-month program. The format includes online asynchronous and synchronous modules + 4-day in-person intensive (~55 contact hours over 6 months). There are no tuition costs and travel awards are available to support participation. The program will run from February 1, 2025 - July 31, 2025.
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William Penn Foundation Grants
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The William Penn Foundation has released nine new RFPs across multiple interest areas: Arts and Culture, Children and Families, Democracy and Civic Initiatives, and Environment and Public Spaces. Visit the William Penn Foundation's funding opportunities page to learn more as well as see future opportunities. This round of grants has an application deadline of January 31, 2025.
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CAB Health Justice Mini-Grants
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A total of $25,000 will be made available to grantees to support and promote a Health Justice program, service or event. We will support and provide mini-grants for up to $5,000 in direct funds and promotional services for local organizations to plan, organize and convene community residents, stakeholders and leaders to provide education, inspire community action and amplify power to affect change related to the City of Philadelphia's Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention (CDIP) priority areas in summer/fall 2024. Please note that $5,000 will be allocated for a youth project led by Youth CAB members.
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Safe Firearm Storage Educational Videos
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Penn Medicine created educational videos to show the public how to use gun locks and gun safes. This effort is in tandem with secure storage distributions which, based on pilot work led by Kit Delgado and Elinore Kaufman, leads to firearms in households being safely stored and therefore less likely to cause a firearm injury.
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"Science isn't finished until it's communicated"
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About Us
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The Penn Injury Science Center is funded by a grant from the CDC and brings together university, community, and government partners around injury and violence intervention programs with the greatest potential for impact. We promote and perform the highest quality research, training and translation of scientific discoveries into practice and policy in order to reduce injuries, violence, and their impact to our region, the US, and locations around the world.
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