The Bold Challenges Initiative has awarded Boost grants to University of Michigan interdisciplinary research projects that range from utilizing wearable technology to help treat cancer patients to analyzing how microbial changes can affect respiratory health.

The projects also include ones to modernize commercial shipping and design a platform that can determine the advanced materials needed for clean energy, secure artificial intelligence infrastructure and many other uses. 

Recipients for the initiative’s third round of Boost grants include researchers from nine U-M colleges and units.

“These researchers are seeking to solve some of the world’s most difficult challenges and create innovations that will benefit individuals and society as a whole,” said Arthur Lupia, vice president for research and innovation.

“Our university is uniquely positioned to tackle complex problems that require interdisciplinary solutions. Programs like Boost help researchers launch the projects that lead to world-changing discoveries. ”

The Boost program supports interdisciplinary teams in the early stages of research with substantial potential for future large-scale funding. Teams from all three campuses are encouraged to collaborate across fields, both within and outside of the university setting.

Teams will receive facilitation and personalized workshops from research development experts on the Bold Challenges team and up to $75,000 to support furthering their research activities.

Applications for the fourth cohort of the Boost program will be available in spring 2026.

The Boost teams and their topic areas for the 2025-26 academic year include:

Harnessing mind-body interactions using wearable technologies and data science to improve cancer outcomes

• Muneesh Tewari, Ray and Ruth Anderson-Laurence M. Sprague Memorial Research Professor and professor of internal medicine and biomedical engineering, Medical School and College of Engineering
• Annelise Madison, assistant professor of psychology, LSA
• Libby Benson, research assistant professor, Institute for Social Research
• Ke Sun, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, CoE
• Sung Won Choi, Edith S. Briskin and Shirley K. Schlafer Foundation Research Professor of Pediatrics, Medical School
• Srijan Sen, Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg Professor of Depression and Neurosciences and professor of psychiatry, Medical School
• Norah Lynn Henry, Daniel F. Hayes M.D. Breast Cancer Research Professor and professor of internal medicine, Medical School

MINDMAP: Michigan Initiative for Neuroinflammation Defense via Microphysiological and Antibody-based Platforms

• Aditya Raghunandan, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, UM-Dearborn
• Peter Tessier, Albert M. Mattocks Professor of Pharmacy and professor of pharmaceutical sciences, College of Pharmacy; and professor of chemical engineering, CoE
• Colin Greineder, associate professor of emergency medicine, and of pharmacology, Medical School
• Benjamin Singer, associate professor of internal medicine, Medical School

Scenario-based techno-economic modeling framework to assess and evaluate the U.S. commercial shipping fleet and shipbuilding industry

• Thomas McKenney, clinical associate professor of naval architecture and marine engineering, CoE
• Matthew Collette, professor of naval architecture and marine engineering, CoE
• Alton Worthington, lecturer in public policy, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
• Parth Vaishnav, assistant professor of environment and sustainability, School for Environment and Sustainability
• Izak Duenyas, Herrick Professor of Business and professor of technology and operations, Stephen M. Ross School of Business; and professor of industrial and operations engineering, CoE

FIRESCAPE: FIRE impacts on Arctic Sea iCe, Atmosphere, Permafrost and Ecosystems

• Kerri Pratt, professor of chemistry, and of earth and environmental sciences, LSA
• Vanessa Selimovic, research lab specialist, chemistry, LSA
• Rose Cory, professor of earth and environmental sciences, LSA; and professor of Program in the Environment, SEAS
• George Kling, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, LSA
• Mark Flanner, professor of climate and space sciences engineering, CoE; and professor of earth and environmental sciences, LSA
• Rachel O’Brien, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, CoE

Metabolism and Mood: A Translational Platform for Precision Psychiatry

• Monica Dus, associate professor of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, LSA
• Melvin McInnis, Thomas B. and Nancy Upjohn Woodworth Professor of Bipolar Disorder and Depression and professor of psychiatry, Medical School
• Subramaniam Pennathur, Norman Radin Professor of Nephrology and professor of internal medicine, and of molecular and integrative physiology, Medical School
• Jeffrey Bohnen, resident physician, psychiatry, Medical School
• Koustubh Vaze, research lab specialist, LSA

Deciphering Contribution of Environmental Toxins to ALS Disease Mechanisms

• Sarah Kargbo-Hill, assistant professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology, LSA
• Yue Zhao, research assistant professor, computational medicine and bioinformatics, Medical School
• Hao Wang, assistant professor of environmental health sciences, School of Public Health
• Ravi Allada, Theophile Raphael M.D. Collegiate Professor of Neurosciences, research professor, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, and professor of anesthesiology, Medical School

Decoding the Role of Microbial Dynamics for Precision Respiratory Health

• Ariangela Kozik, assistant professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology, LSA; and assistant professor of internal medicine, Medical School
• Kelly Arnold, associate professor of biomedical engineering, CoE
• Yvonne Huang, associate professor of internal medicine, microbiology and immunology, Medical School

Cognitive Digital Twin Intelligence: Generative AI–Driven Self-Driving Labs for Accelerated Materials Discovery

• Alauddin Ahmed, associate research scientist, mechanical engineering, CoE
• Stephen Maldonado, professor of chemistry, LSA
• Ram Vasudevan, associate professor of robotics and mechanical engineering, CoE
• Jing Tang, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, CoE