Interdisciplinary Research
Baylor University has been awarded a nearly $1 million grant from the EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program (CCGP) to drive transformative local initiatives aimed at bolstering food security, advancing sustainable agriculture and enhancing climate resilience in Waco’s underserved communities.
Through U.S. Department of Education funding, Professor Carrie Arroyo, LCSW, alongside Mary Zane Nelson, LCSW, and Dr. Stephanie Boddie, launched the Partnering for Heart of Texas Mental Health project. This initiative focuses on improving mental and emotional well-being for Waco ISD and Transformation Waco students. Six MSW clinical interns are providing school-based mental health services, with a Clinical School Social Work certificate program in development. This project is positively impacting students, families, and the community by increasing access to holistic and culturally inclusive mental health care on school campuses.
Dr. Jinyu Liu, in collaboration with Dr. Clara Li, is studying the impact of immigration experiences on cognitive outcomes among older Chinese immigrants to the U.S., aiming to develop tailored interventions for Alzheimer's prevention.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease and other progressive neurocognitive disorders comes with a wide range of challenges, emotions and stressors. Despite those difficult circumstances, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Baylor University found that family caregivers who recognize and cultivate feelings of gratitude are better able to adjust to their roles with a greater sense of well-being and enhanced coping.
Dr. Danielle Parrish and Ph.D. student Cali Werner are researching mental health in Collegiate and Olympic athletes, focusing on evidence-based interventions and the effects of NIL deals and Olympic Blues.