Research Office News

Research Area Specialist Intermediate Meghan Harrington has received a 2025 Research Study Coordinator Award from U-M’s Office of the Vice President for Research. This award honors staff members for important contributions to the university’s research mission through exceptional performance, and by going beyond the ordinary fulfillment of position duties.  Harrington will receive the award at a reception in May.

Professor Katie Edwards spoke with The Atlantic about the termination of hundreds of research awards made by the NIH. She said that grinding these trials to a screeching halt is “completely reckless.”

Associate Professor Kathryn Maguire-Jack and Assistant Professor Sunggeun (Ethan) Park have been named Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) 2025 Fellows. SSWR Fellows are members who have served with distinction to advance the mission of the Society — to advance, disseminate and translate research that addresses issues of social work practice and policy and promotes a diverse, equitable and just society.

Professor Shawna Lee has received a Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Excellence in Research Award as a co-author on the paper, "Family stress processes underlying material hardship and parental detachment and warmth amongst racially diverse fathers and mothers with low income" in the Journal of Family Violence.

Professor Andrew Grogan-Kaylor’s research was cited in an article in MSN News on the detrimental effects physical punishment can have on children’s mental health. Grogan-Kaylor’s research found that kids who are spanked more often are more likely to defy their parents and experience an increase in anti-social behavior. They are also at an increased risk for developing aggression, mental health problems and cognitive difficulties.

Associate Professor Anao Zhang and PhD student Rachel Brandon are part of a team that recently received a grant from the Children's Cancer Research Fund. Their project evaluates the virtual delivery of a strength-based psychological treatment to young adults with cancer.   

“We are excited to receive this grant and conduct a pilot clinical trial at Michigan Medicine's Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program,” said Zhang. “It is also very exciting to involve Rachel Brandon, a joint social work and psychological doctoral student, as a study co-investigator and project coordinator to further boost the implementation of the trial.”

Professor Shawna Lee’s research on how fathers are connecting with their children — despite economic hardship and negative stereotypes — has been cited in an article on Tech Explorist. Lee and her co-authors call for these positive experiences to be reflected in the media and for health care providers to support father-inclusive practices.

Associate Professor Anao Zhang's article "The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for mental health and quality of life among individuals diagnosed with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis," was published in Cancer Medicine and featured in Everyday Health. Zhang says the findings confirm that cognitive behavioral therapy can help many people cope with the negative feelings that come up while living with cancer.