If you are interested in learning more about any of the studies below, or if you are interested in exploring the possibility of collaboration, please email waterse@wustl.edu

Currently Funded Research Projects

Epigenetics Perspectives in Communities (EPIC) Study 

Technical name: Investigating ELSI issues that may facilitate or impede clinical translation of epigenomic research

Funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (R01ES033743)

Co-Investigators: Chelsey R. Carter, PhD, MPH; Jada G. Hamilton, PhD, MPH; Erin Linnenbringer, PhD, MS; Jessica Mozersky, PhD; George Souroullas, PhD

Few people realize that environmental pollution and some behaviors like physical activity and tobacco smoking can affect their health by “turning on” or “turning off” certain genes through a process called epigenetic modification. This project is using a series of studies to develop and test strategies for communicating about epigenetics that are understandable to people from different socio-demographic groups, that do not promote harmful beliefs (such as genetic determinism, essentialism, discrimination, racism, or stigma), and that increase acceptance of using epigenetics in clinical settings. We will compile the results of our research into a toolkit for use by basic scientists, laypeople, health care providers, and journalists. For more details about this project, click here

We are currently seeking a postdoctoral fellow, research assistant, and/or intern for this project. For more details, click here


Healthy Hearts Study

Technical name: Translating ECHOS into an eHealth platform

Funded by the St Jude – Washington University/Siteman Cancer Center Implementation Science Collaborative

Multiple Principal Investigator: Matt J. Ehrhardt, MD, MS.
Co-Investigator: Melissa M. Hudson, MD. Consultant: April Carcone, PhD

Many adult survivors of pediatric cancer experience heart failure as a consequence of their cancer treatment during childhood. This study is translating an efficacious—yet time- and resource-intensive—intervention to promote cardiomyopathy screening into a low-cost, high-reach, and interactive eHealth platform that (a) provides information to users that is tailored to their unique circumstances and concerns, and (b) supports users’ autonomy as they deliberate about the value of screening. The results of this study will provide the evidence base needed to support broad-scale implementation efforts. For more details about this project, click here


Asthma Caregivers and Children study

Technical name: Child Asthma Exacerbation: Role of Caregiver Risk Beliefs

Funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL137680)

Multiple Principal Investigator: James A. Shepperd, PhD.
Co-Investigators: David A. Fedele, PhD, ABPP; Jean M. Hunleth, PhD; Sreekala Prabhakaran, MD; Gregory D. Webster, PhD

Childhood asthma affects over 6.2 million U.S. children, particularly children who are African American and whose parents have limited incomes and formal education. This project is using a series of studies to characterize: (a) the basic psychological nature of caregivers’ beliefs about their child’s risk of having an asthma exacerbation, (b) the cognitive and affective processes by which such beliefs encourage or discourage caregiver-initiated risk-reducing behavior, and (c) how risk beliefs interact with broader socio-contextual factors to shape child health and caregiver behavior. We will use the results of this research to develop and implement improved interventions for caregivers of children with asthma. For more details about this project, click here


Selected Previously Funded Research Projects

Communicating Multiple Disease Risks: A Translation of Risk Prediction Science 

Funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute (R01CA197351)

Co-Investigators: Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH; Ying Liu, MD, PhD.
Consultants: Deborah J. Bowen, PhD; Linda D. Cameron, PhD; Hank Dart, MS; Bernard Rosner, PhD.

Understanding that a single behavior can affect the likelihood of developing a variety of diseases is a vital component of understanding the consequences of performing (or not performing) the behavior. This project used a series of studies to translate epidemiological data about five major health consequences of insufficient physical activity (i.e., colon cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke) into a visual display that conveyed personalized risk information in a way that was comprehensible and motivating to diverse lay audiences. Supplemental funding allowed the research team to supplement the risk assessment tool with a self-regulation intervention. This research resulted in a fully functional, mHealth-based risk communication and behavior change tool that could be integrated into individual, community, or clinical interventions. All study materials, including recruitment advertisements, stimuli, data collection materials, datasets, and analytic code are available free of charge at: https://osf.io/jnwhq/. For more details about this project contact waterse@wustl.edu.


Communicating multifactorial genetic risks to underserved populations

Funded by the American Cancer Society (MRSG 1121401-CPPB) 

Mentors: Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH; Sarah Gehlert, PhD

Effective translation of genomics research into practice depends on public understanding that most health problems are multifactorial—that is, caused by a combination of genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. This project used a series of studies to explore how laypeople came to understand multifactorial health risks associated with tobacco use, and to test communication strategies for conveying this concept more effectively. The results of this project led to greater scientific knowledge about the factors that lead to public acceptance of potentially controversial health information. For more details about this project contact waterse@wustl.edu