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THIS MONTH IN INJURY SCIENCE @ PENN
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The latest Science, Communications, Opportunities, & Outputs from the Penn Injury Science Center
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Applications Open for Trainee Learning Lab
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The Trainee Learning Lab (TLL) is a CDC Success Story that brings together undergraduate and graduate trainees in Injury Science virtually, on a monthly basis, to discuss and interpret peer-reviewed articles related to injury and violence research.
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Eight interactive sessions from September to April are led and facilitated by PISC Co-Director Catherine McDonald, Professor of Nursing, with guest appearances from authors and co-authors of the articles discussed to answer questions about their work. Trainees from across the nation connect with peers and mentors, learn to apply skills in the interpretation of research articles, and leave the program more confident in critically reviewing injury and violence research.
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The lab is available for graduate trainees in Injury Science, including research staff, research assistants, capstone mentees, and those with a keen interest in the field of injury science. Postdocs with limited experience in injury science are also welcome. This lab is open to and engaged with partner Injury Control Research Centers, trainees of the Society for the Advancement of Injury and Violence Research (SAVIR), and those interested in becoming affiliated with SAVIR or the ICRCs.
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Innovative System Helps Prevent Falls in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment
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Sense4Safety is a fall prevention technology, originally tested by PISC research to determine if an in-home sensor can predict falls better than traditional assessments, and understanding the perspectives of older adults, their family caregivers, and other stakeholders with regards to the use of in-home sensor-based systems.
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The team, led by George Demiris, Terry Richmond, and Nancy Hodgson, has now developed a system including a depth sensor, assessments, coaching, and exercise to help reduce falls in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. “Preventing falls can be not only significant in improving quality of life for people, especially those living alone,” says Demiris, “but it can also be a significant cost saving for our health care system.”
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How Life Experiences Shape Recovery After Serious Injury
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PISC research sought to understand how post-injury outcomes, such as the prevalence of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), could relate to social and environmental factors.
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The team, led by Terry Richmond, Sara Jacoby, and Cassis Boateng, found that perceived neighborhood disorder and adverse childhood experiences were strong predictors of PTSD and depression symptom severity during their post-injury recovery, as well as sleep disturbances and their overall health status.
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Social Media Recruitment for Research Studies Not the Advantage It Once Was
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Social media has been a useful tool in recruiting research participants, especially people who are harder to reach through traditional touchpoints such as the healthcare system. However, research from Liz Nesoff, funded by the PISC Exploratory Grant Program, sheds light on the challenges that have emerged in recruiting participants via social media.
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September 5th and December 5th, 2025, 12-1pm Eastern | Virtual
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The Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy offers this free, virtual overdose reversal training to the entire Penn community, uniting students, faculty, health care staff and others around a common goal - to end the overdose epidemic in our communities.
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Trainings will take place via Microsoft Teams from 12pm - 1pm.
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This training is appropriate for persons with no medical background, but is led by trained emergency responders from Penn Medicine and/or the University of Pennsylvania who can answer more advanced questions.
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September 9-11, 2025 | Virtual
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The Safe States Annual Injury and Violence Prevention Conference "Rising up and Branching Out" is the premiere event for injury and violence prevention professionals working across a variety of settings to connect and learn from one another. For three days, hundreds of professionals and advocates from state, local, and tribal health, hospitals and healthcare, research and academia, community-based organizations, and the federal government come together to share best practices and innovative solutions, discuss emerging issues and new research, and hone their competencies in injury and violence prevention.
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Be sure to register by August 25th to receive your welcome packet by mail ahead of the virtual conference.
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September 15-22, 2025 | Virtual
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Registration is now open for a week of virtual programming, September 15–22! This mini-SAVIR conference offers daily opportunities to participate in science sessions, skill-building labs, and networking events. You can register for individual sessions “à la carte” or sign up for all events in the series. Pre-registration is required, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance. Note that some sessions are reserved for SAVIR members only.
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September 18, 2025, 12-1:30pm Eastern | Virtual
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The goal of this webinar, from the Career Development Speaker Series of the Research Society for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms, is to inspire resilience and persistence among early career scientists who study firearm-related harms. Insights will be shared from experts in the field who have historically maintained a commitment to research on firearm-related harms when there was limited funding available for this work.
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- Joseph B. Richardson, PhD
- Jesenia Pizarro, PhD
- Therese Richmond, PhD, RN
- Rochelle Dicker, MD
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October 15-18, 2025 | National Harbor, MD
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The Safe Kids Worldwide Childhood Injury Prevention Convention (PrevCon) is one of the largest gatherings of safety professionals in the world dedicated solely to the field of childhood injury prevention. It brings together leading experts, advocates, academics, and partners to share best practices and experiences with the aim of increasing our collective impact.
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November 19-21, 2025 | Tempe, AZ
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The 2025 National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearm Related Harms will highlight the current state of science and research on firearm injury prevention across the lifespan.
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December 11, 2025 | Virtual
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Join us for this year’s Midwest Injury Prevention Alliance Conference, as injury professionals from states in Federal Health and Human Services Region V (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI) gather to work toward reducing injury- and violence- related death and disability.
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This year's theme is Connectedness: Staying True to Our Mission of Safety and Prevention.
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We hope to highlight topics that inspire, inform, and demonstrate the power of partnerships, the passion behind programs that serve individuals and communities, and the impact of policy in shaping the future of injury and violence prevention across our states.
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April 19-21, 2026 | Baltimore, MD
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2026 Lifesavers Conference
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety Traffic Safety Scholars & Fellows Program (TSSF).
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The 2026 Lifesavers Traffic Safety Scholars & Fellows (TSSF) Program provides awards of up to $1,300 to participants to help defray the cost of attending the Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland, April 19-21, 2026. Scholars and Fellows will receive an exclusive reduced registration rate and will also earn a Lifesavers Conference Accreditation Letter.
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A flyer detailing the application process can be found HERE.
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There is also a short video; please help us get the word out by sharing it with students, posting it on social media, and/or forwarding it to others in your network who may know of a worthy applicant.
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The application deadline is November 1, 2025.
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New research from Rebecca Arden Harris and team reveals that relaxed take-home methadone policies have not resulted in higher overdose rates. This important finding supports more flexible treatment options for those in recovery. Stay informed on how evidence-based changes are shaping addiction care. Read more.
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A new study from Penn Medicine, including Kit Delgado and Anish Agarwal, shows that tailored feedback to surgeons significantly reduces excessive opioid prescriptions after surgery, aligning care with evidence-based guidelines while maintaining effective pain control. By leveraging patient-reported data and behavioral science, this approach offers a scalable solution to combat opioid overprescribing and its associated risks. The findings highlight a promising path toward safer, more personalized pain management. Read more.
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Discover how Penn faculty - including Sara Jacoby - and students are tackling urban heat with innovative, solar-powered cooling shelters in North Philadelphia. Their collaborative project offers relief from rising temperatures and is now expanding to Governors Island, NYC. Learn how community-driven design is shaping cooler, healthier neighborhoods. Read more.
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New research from Sara Solomon offers a framework for implementing Cure Violence programs, highlighting key strategies and contextual factors that drive success. The review underscores the importance of integrating Implementation Science principles to enhance community violence interventions. Practitioners and researchers can use the new model to guide effective program delivery and future studies. Read more.
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Penn researchers and community partners are working to reframe violence prevention as a public health initiative, emphasizing connection and support for youth. A July 7 mass shooting in Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry neighborhood left three dead and 10 injured at a block party on S. Etting Street, becoming one of the worst incidents in a summer marked by increasing gun violence. In light of the shooting, Sara Solomon emphasized the importance of “spreading kindness and love as a strategy” to help curb instances of violence in an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian. Read more.
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Project Unloaded is engaging directly with those most affected to shape the future of emerging technologies. Desmond Upton Patton highlights the project's commitment to understanding community needs and preferences. Discover how this initiative is driving thoughtful, inclusive innovation. Read more.
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Support from PISC Outreach Core
The Penn Injury Science Center’s Outreach Core puts research into action through community-academic partnerships, translation, and dissemination.
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- Communications and dissemination support
- Partnership matchmaking
- Advisement from the Community Action Board
- Technical assistance
- Stakeholder convening
- and more...
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Support from PISC Training & Education Core
The Penn Injury Science Center’s Training & Education core is building the field through training and supporting injury scientists; coursework, training materials, & mentorship; and connection & capacity building.
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- Mentee-mentor matchmaking and programming, mentorship, and mentor training
- A professional and intellectual community for trainees and early career investigators/faculty
- Tailored programming for all levels of trainees
- Course and certificate support
- Trainings, workshops, scholarly forums & educational material support
- and more...
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Statistical Consultation Support for PISC Affiliates from the BECCA Lab
The PISC is committed to developing future generations of injury scientists from across disciplines and providing statistical support for projects that are focused on the core mission of the PISC and for when extramural resources are not currently available.
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Who qualifies for support: This program supports two groups of PISC-affiliates.
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- PISC-affiliated post-doctoral and clinical fellows conducting a research project aimed at publication in a peer-reviewed journal and/or to provide preliminary data for an extramural grant application
- PISC senior scholars who are early-stage faculty without research or discretionary account funding to secure statistical consultation.
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Restored Philly Gun Violence Map
The Civic Coalition to Save Lives is now hosting a trusted interactive map that tracks gun violence in Philadelphia—giving residents, advocates, and decision-makers direct access to real-time data. Originally maintained by the City Controller’s Office, the map was taken offline earlier this year during a website update. Data scientist and dashboard creator Nick Hand independently restored it. Now, in partnership with him, the Civic Coalition to Save Lives is making it publicly available at SavePhillyLives.org.
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This tool shows daily updates of shootings across the city and includes filters for time, location, and victim demographics. It supports efforts to reach those at the highest risk, deploy resources quickly, prevent retaliation, and evaluate what’s working.
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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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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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This is a reminder that nominations are open for the SAVIR Fellows Program, recognizing members who’ve made outstanding contributions to injury and violence prevention.
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- Deadline: September 1, 2025
- Who’s Eligible: 5+ years of membership, strong contributions, active involvement
- Benefits: Conference recognition, “Fellow of SAVIR” title, leadership & mentoring roles
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We encourage all eligible members to apply or nominate a colleague. Self-nominations are encouraged.
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Call for Next Editor-in-Chief - Homicide Studies
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Homicide Studies: An Interdisciplinary & International Journal is a journal providing a central forum for the diverse literature on homicide. The premier issue of this quarterly, peer-reviewed academic journal appeared in February 1997. Published by Sage Publications and sponsored by the HRWG, Homicide Studies is a high-quality, multidisciplinary publication devoted to the dissemination of information concerning research, public policy, and applied knowledge pertinent to the study of homicide. In the 2024 listing of Journal Impacting Factor scores, Homicide Studies was ranked in a tie for #13, placing it in the top quartile of journals under the category of Criminology & Penology.
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The HRWG Publications Committee invites applications for the position of Editor of Homicide Studies. The incoming Editor will assume journal management responsibilities beginning January 1, 2026. The position carries a three-year term, with the possibility of renewal, and includes an annual stipend of $4,000 provided by SAGE Publications. The Editor may assemble a support team that can include associate editors, a managing editor, and editorial board members, as needed.
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Postdoctoral Fellow, DRIVER Study (Penn and CHOP)
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A new Postdoctoral Fellowship is available on the DRIVER Study, a Phase III randomized trial testing the efficacy of modern online and in-person driver training for reducing young new driver crash risk. The position focuses on predictive analytics with a large, longitudinal dataset that integrates virtual driving assessments, cognitive measures, phone app-based driver monitoring, and real-world crash risk outcomes. This role offers the chance to publish widely and shape future driver safety policies and clinical practices.
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Find out more about the position here.
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Postdoctoral Researcher, Wesleyan University
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The Center for the Study of Guns & Society at Wesleyan University has just posted a new postdoctoral researcher position. Working under the direction of History Prof. Jennifer Tucker, Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Guns & Society, and a team of project advisors from history departments around the U.S., the Digital Humanities Postdoctoral Researcher will conduct archival research on 18th and 19th century firearms laws and sources on historical firearms use and regulations across multiple regions, contribute to a field guide and database of empirical findings, and participate in the writing and sharing of research papers in regular workshops and conferences.
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This is an on-campus position located in Middletown, CT. Funding is available for up to nine months beginning September 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. Start date is negotiable.
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For more information or to apply online, please click here.
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Research Associate, Emergency Medicine
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The PhD Research Associate is responsible for developing impactful, sustainable research program in collaboration with core faculty, residents, and hospital network to advance knowledge and implementation of practices especially pertaining to acute emergent conditions particularly in vulnerable populations. The position applies expertise in implementation science, epidemiology, biostatistics, emergency and health policy, health education and related fields to generate evidence that informs clinical decisions in emergency medicine and improves health outcomes in emergency services.
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The IES Research Institute is an academic research division embedded within the Emergency Medicine Department at John Peter Smith (JPS) Health Network, a public safety-net health system with a 3-year emergency medicine residency program. The goal of the Institute is to develop and support scholarly activity, research, and grants to improve health outcomes and healthcare delivery for vulnerable emergency medicine populations through discovery and innovation.
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Eagles "A Fan of Change" Fund
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The Eagles A Fan of Change Fund was established as a result of a joint effort between the Eagles organization and our players and reflects our team's core values of partnership and teamwork. The A Fan of Change Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation supports programs and initiatives that work to reduce barriers to opportunity, with a specific focus on:
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- Ending Gun Violence
- Violence Interruption
- Mental Health
- Education
- Youth Safety and Well-being
- Community/Police Relations
- Improving our criminal justice system
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For 2025, special focus will be paid to support programs and nonprofits designed to reduce gun violence in Philadelphia directly and through the core areas above. If your organization would like to be considered for a grant from the Eagles A Fan of Change Fund for the 2025 season, please submit the application below no later than Monday, September 1st. Some frequently asked questions are [here], if you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to the community relations team for assistance at communityrelations@philadelphiaeagles.com.
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Firearm Violence or Suicide Prevention Funding from Kaiser Permanente
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Grants are available for $100,000 and $300,000 for researchers and organizations at all stages of the research continuum. Applications are due September 3, 2025.
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Occupational Safety & Injury Grants
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PAR-18-812 - Occupational Safety and Health Research (R01)
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PAR-18-798 - NIOSH Exploratory/Developmental Grant Program (R21)
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Closing Date for Applications: Nov 21, 2025
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Tools for Finding and Securing Funding
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University of Pennsylvania investigators have been given access to two helpful tools to find and secure research funding.
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Pivot-RP enhances the discovery of sponsored research opportunities, making the
process faster, more targeted, and more efficient. Pivot-RP also simplifies
communication with potential collaborators by offering seamless ways to share
opportunities.
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RAMPART helps assess the risks in a proposal of being flagged as inconsistent with current federal priorities. It is available for optional use by all Penn faculty, trainees, and staff interested in understanding the level of risk their grant proposals and awards may face in terms of not being reviewed, not being funded, or having funding withdrawn.
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Teaching Resource Hub for Injury and Violence Prevention
The hub features ready-to-use syllabi, case studies, and multimedia—plus a video lecture series aligned with public health standards.
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Explore the tools, share with colleagues, and help shape the next generation of prevention professionals.
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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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