Jennifer Gibson, Author at Foundation of Hope

13 05, 2026

Social Media and AI Exposure in Preteen Girls: Implications for Changes to Social Motivation and Depression | Andrea Pelletier-Baldelli, PhD – Adam Bryant Miller, PhD | $240,00

Social Media and AI Exposure in Preteen Girls: Implications for Changes to Social Motivation and Depression 2026 Award: $240,000 Social media and artificial intelligence is increasingly part of daily life for today’s youth. Despite ongoing research, we still do not know who is most vulnerable to negative effects of use and how use may shape development. Most kids get their first smartphone by age 12, making the preteen years the pivotal window of time to understand how independent use begins and may influence development of social behavior and mental well-being. Need/Problem: Youth are increasingly living in a digital world with most kids getting their own smartphone by age 12. The preteen years are very important for healthy social development and long-term well-being. Identifying how social media and artificial intelligence exposure may influence social motivation and risk for depression will [...]

13 05, 2026

Generative AI Use and Cognitive Mechanisms in the Psychosis Risk Continuum: A Multi-Method Longitudinal Study | Ben Buck, PhD | $299,140

Generative AI Use and Cognitive Mechanisms in the Psychosis Risk Continuum: A Multi-Method Longitudinal Study 2026 Award: $299,140 As generative AI becomes a common source of mental health support for young adults, concerns are growing about its potential risks – especially among individuals at elevated risk for psychosis. This project will investigate how young adults with psychotic-like experiences use AI tools like chatbots, and which patterns of genAI interactions are linked with positive and negative mental health outcomes over time. By identifying these patterns, this research aims to guide safer and more beneficial use of these rapidly emerging technologies. Need/Problem: Young adults increasingly use generative AI (genAI) tools for mental health support, yet these platforms are not designed for therapeutic use and lack safety guardrails. Individuals experiencing psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) may be vulnerable, as emerging reports suggest some uses [...]

2 06, 2025

Understanding how grief affects parents and children over time | Natalie O’Brien, MS | $99,600

The Long Arm of Grief: A Longitudinal Study of Mental Health and Support-Seeking Among Bereaved Parents and Children 2025 Award: $99,600 How do families adjust years after the devastating loss of a parent? Special emphasis will be placed on understanding the long-term implications of loss due to suicide. This study follows widowed parents to explore how grief, mental health, and caregiving evolve, while also examining how children’s well-being influences parents’ healing—and vice versa. By uncovering these long-term dynamics, the research aims to inform more effective support for bereaved families. Need/Problem: Each year, many children lose a parent, and surviving caregivers are left to cope with intense grief while supporting their families. Families bereaved by suicide face even greater challenges, including stigma, isolation, and difficulty accessing support services. Yet there is almost no research tracking how these families adjust in [...]

29 04, 2025

Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics in Infants Later Diagnosed with ASD: Implications for Early Diagnosis and Treatment Development | Dr. Roza Vlasova | $51,690

Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics in Infants Later Diagnosed with ASD: Implications for Early Diagnosis and Treatment Development 2025 Award: $51,690 Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear fluid that circulates through the nervous system, playing a key role in brain development, nutrient delivery, and immune surveillance. Infants who are later diagnosed with autism often show an increase in CSF volume, but the causes of this increase remain unknown. In this project, we will investigate how CSF moves in the brains of these infants using advanced MRI techniques. Tracking early changes in CSF dynamics may reveal important biomarkers and enhance our understanding of how disrupted CSF motion contributes to autism. These findings will be a critical first step toward developing earlier diagnostic tools and targeted interventions. Need/Problem: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear fluid that circulates through the nervous system, supporting brain [...]

29 04, 2025

Expediting access to autism specific intervention for young autistic children living in rural North Carolina: a pilot study | Dr. Kelly Caravella | $53,800

Expediting access to autism specific intervention for young autistic children living in rural North Carolina: a pilot study 2025 Award: $53,800 Long delays to diagnosis and treatment are unfortunately common for many families with autistic toddlers, especially those living in rural areas. Our study investigates whether a systems-focused intervention can reduce these treatment delays and improve developmental outcomes for young children with autism. Join us in advancing faster, more effective, and family-centered autism care. Need/Problem: Early diagnosis of autism is important, however, it must be followed by starting autism-specific treatments quickly to help children meet their developmental goals. Unfortunately, many families, especially those in rural areas, face long delays in getting these treatments due to a lack of specialists, travel difficulties, and less awareness about autism service availability. We need a family-centered approach to help these families overcome these [...]

29 04, 2025

Investigation of D2 and 5-HT2A Genetic Variants on Antipsychotic Responsiveness | Dr. Ranran French | $57,705

Investigation of D2 and 5-HT2A Genetic Variants on Antipsychotic Responsiveness 2025 Award: $57,705 Many patients with schizophrenia endure months or even years of suboptimal treatment before finding an antipsychotic that works. This project aims to change that by identifying how individual genetic differences in brain receptors affect treatment response. The ultimate goal: a personalized tool that helps doctors choose the right antipsychotic the first time. Need/Problem: Antipsychotics are the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment, yet patient responses vary widely. Many patients endure a lengthy trial-and-error process during medication selection, which often leads to prolonged symptoms and hospitalization, unnecessary side effects, and poor long-term outcomes. A precision-medicine approach is urgently needed to guide antipsychotic selection using a person’s unique genetic information. Grant Summary: This study will analyze how genetic variations in two key neuroreceptors—D2 and 5-HT2A—affect a patient’s long-term clinical stability [...]

29 04, 2025

Functional Impairment in Adults with Eating Disorders: Identification of New Treatment Targets | Dr. Rachel Presskreischer | $58,756

Functional Impairment in Adults with Eating Disorders: Identification of New Treatment Targets 2025 Award: $58,756 Eating disorders can have devastating impacts on school, work, and relationships similar to the impacts of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other severe psychiatric illness. While interventions exist to address these effects for people with other psychiatric conditions, there are currently no interventions tailored specifically to the needs of individuals with eating disorders. In this study we will gain insight into the nature of challenges in these areas directly from both people with eating disorders and caregivers or partners to inform the design of future interventions. Need/Problem: Adults with eating disorders can have impairment in educational attainment, employment, social relationships, and health-related quality of life. While psychiatric rehabilitation interventions have been designed to address these challenges for people with other psychiatric illnesses, there are no [...]

29 04, 2025

Predicting ASD comorbid Anxiety in Early Childhood | Dr. Yoonmi Hong | $59,102

Predicting ASD comorbid Anxiety in Early Childhood via Multi-modality MRI 2025 Award: $59,102 Can the structure of a child's brain predict their risk for developing anxiety? Our groundbreaking study harnesses the power of deep learning to decode the complex relationship between brain architecture and anxiety vulnerability in children with autism. By analyzing cortical morphometry and white matter microstructure, we aim to identify neuroimaging biomarkers that could revolutionize early detection and intervention strategies. This research bridges a critical knowledge gap in understanding how brain structure relates to anxiety in early childhood autism, potentially transforming how we approach mental health care in neurodevelopmental disorders. Need/Problem: Research shows changes in brain networks and structure in adults with autism who have anxiety or ADHD, but we know very little about how brain structure relates to anxiety in young children with autism. The high [...]

29 04, 2025

Suicide Prevention Among Perinatal Psychiatric Inpatients | Dr. Parisa Kaliush | $59,999

Suicide prevention among perinatal psychiatric inpatients: A randomized clinical trial 2025 Award: $59,999 Suicide is a leading cause of postpartum maternal deaths, yet no suicide prevention programs exist that are designed specifically for pregnant and postpartum women. This is a huge gap in maternal mental healthcare that we will address with this project. Thanks to the Foundation of Hope, we will be able to design and test the first ever perinatal-specific suicide prevention program for women who are experiencing high levels of psychological distress and suicide risk. Need/Problem: Suicide is a leading cause of postpartum maternal deaths in the United States, yet no perinatal suicide prevention programs exist. Some interventions indirectly reduce perinatal suicide risk by treating other mental health conditions, like postpartum depression, but these interventions are not always feasible for higher-risk patients who need more rapid, targeted [...]

29 04, 2025

Modeling Genetic Risk for Schizophrenia | Dr. Robert Mealer | $60,000

Modeling genetic risk for schizophrenia in human-derived neurons 2025 Award: $60,000 Over 75% of the risk for developing schizophrenia is determined by the genes one inherits. In this project, the Mealer and Heinzen Labs plan to leverage recent advances in genetic studies of schizophrenia and neurons generated from human stem cells to better understand changes in brain development and function that could one day be used design better treatments for severe mental illness. Need/Problem: Antipsychotic medications, which are used to treat many different psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, were not developed based on our knowledge of what is changed in the brain or how these disorders are inherited. As such, these treatments commonly provide limited symptom relief and do not appear to alter disease course or offer a chance at cure. Thus, there is incredible opportunity and need for rationally [...]

About Jennifer Gibson