Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute

02/03/2026

Gen-AI chatbots are widely used and often perceived as helpful, but serious safety concerns remain. In summer 2025, Illinois became one of the first states to regulate Gen-AI use in therapy through the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act.

Can legislation ensure safe, responsible use?

On Feb. 10, IHSI Affiliate Chris Larrison, a professor in University of Illinois School of Social Work will discuss the existing evidence and possible solutions that offer a viable pathway for developing Gen-AI tools that are both safe and clinically responsible.

Open to all campus and community members interested in mental health and AI.

Please register to attend: https://redcap.healthinstitute.illinois.edu/surveys/?s=3T4C9KFJMHLKFAT4

The seminar is hosted by the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute (IHSI) and Office of the Chief Information Officer.

01/07/2026

Calling all community-engaged researchers! Want to advance your research and impact?

The Community-Academic Scholars (CAS) Program supports community-engaged research that is rigorous, collaborative, and actionable by matching research teams with talented undergrads whose interests, experience, and abilities best fit the project.

This program is ideal for faculty and staff researchers who have established partnerships with community organizations.

🧡 Advance your research

💙 Strengthen your community partnerships

🧡 Mentor a talented scholar with real support

Now accepting project proposals until Wednesday, January 28, 2026

For details, FAQs, and a link to the recorded information session, please visit:
go.illinois.edu/CAS_mentor

Ready to apply?
https://redcap.healthinstitute.illinois.edu/surveys/?s=9DLENLPM4JDHMH3X

11/17/2025

IHSI Director Stephen Boppart recently discussed how IHSI's growing networks and stronger relationships with campus, community, clinical and industry partners positions to better respond to personal, public, and planetary health challenges. He writes:

"We’re growing a strong network of internal and external affiliates and program alumni; leading and participating in large-scale projects that bring together expertise from various colleges, departments, and research units; establishing trusting, reciprocal community relationships; and exploring industry and entrepreneurial collaborations that leverage our interdisciplinary strengths.

Read more in his directors note: https://healthinstitute.illinois.edu/news-events/news/a-note-from-the-director-creating-opportunities-for-health-translation

11/12/2025

Join researchers from one of the world's top medical centers to investigate and address disparities!

Through the Health Equity Research Experience (HERE) at Mayo Clinic, two undergraduates will spend 10 weeks immersed in the research and culture of a major medical center while contributing to research to advance health equity.

Learn more and apply by Dec. 3: https://mayoillinois.org/education-training/health-equity-research-experience

HERE is open to students from all majors with a passion for health equity. Past participants have come from Molecular & Cellular Biology, Integrative Biology, Spanish, and Health and Kinesiology. Most students are interested in pursuing careers in Research and/or Health Professions.

11/10/2025

Your health is influenced by more than personal choices—your environment plays a key role. Food availability, safe sidewalks, and green spaces impact healthy habits. In this interactive virtual session, Department of Health and Kinesiology at Illinois researcher Alexia-Patrice Hammonds discusses how environments shape eating and activity patterns, offering practical strategies to improve your health and support others. Learn actionable steps to thrive and foster healthier environments for all.

All sessions are free to attend and are offered via Zoom on Wednesdays at noon.

Register for Zoom details: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/community-seminar-series-autumn-health-picks-2025-registration

🔸🔶About the Community Seminar Series🔹🔷
Hosted by the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute and University of Illinois Extension, the Community Seminar Series mentors early career researchers to deliver evidence-based seminars on a variety of health topics.

11/10/2025

students, engage in research that makes a local impact with the Community-Academic Scholars program! This 10-week summer research program matches students with a local organization and an Illinois researcher to work on a project that impacts members of our community.

All majors are welcome; no prior research experience is necessary. Join us on Zoom Nov. 19, 5-6 pm to learn about the program and application process.

Details and registration: https://healthinstitute.illinois.edu/partnerships-translation/community-academic-partnerships/community-academic-scholars/student-scholars 

Can't make it? Register for the info session to receive a link to the recording and notification when the application period opens.

11/03/2025

As parents across Illinois wonder what to do with ALL THAT CANDY, Department of Health and Kinesiology at Illinois researcher Prafulla Caringula is diving into the critical connections between oral care and overall health, showing you why what happens in your mouth matters for your entire body, and how simple steps can make a big difference.

All sessions free to attend and are offered via Zoom on Wednesdays at noon. Register for Zoom details: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/community-seminar-series-autumn-health-picks-2025-registration

🔸🔶About the Community Seminar Series🔹🔷
Hosted by the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute and University of Illinois Extension, the Community Seminar Series mentors early career researchers to deliver evidence-based seminars on a variety of health topics.

The last topic of the semester for NEXT WEDNESDAY is how environment shapes your health.

10/22/2025

When most people think of protein, they thinking of athletes and weight lifters, but protein has benefits for everyone. More than just building muscle—protein promotes fullness, supports immune health, and prevents age-related muscle loss across all ages.

TODAY at NOON, Carle Illinois College of Medicine student Nikita Chigullapally will lead an interactive seminar on Zoom to help people determine their protein needs, identify the best sources of protein, and find ways to incorporate healthy sources of protein in their diet. Whether you are looking to improve your wellness or gain practical tools to better support patients and clients, this session has something for everyone.

All sessions free to attend and are offered via Zoom on Wednesdays at noon. Register for Zoom details: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/community-seminar-series-autumn-health-picks-2025-registration

🔸🔶About the Community Seminar Series🔹🔷
Hosted by the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute and , the Community Seminar Series mentors early career researchers to deliver evidence-based seminars on a variety of health topics.

This semester, remaining topics include the perceptions of digital health technology, the connections between oral care and overall health, and how environment shapes your health

09/22/2025

Interested in summer research experiences at Mayo Clinic?

DYK University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undergraduates have unique pathways to research Mayo Clinic?

Join the Mayo Clinic & Illinois Alliance for an information session Oct. 2, 6-7 p.m., over Zoom.

Programs discussed include:
🔹 The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURF) 🔹
🔸 The Health Equity Research Experience (HERE) 🔸
🔹 Clinical Research Internship Study Program (CRISP) 🔹

Attendees will learn more about the programs, hear from previous participants, AND learn about the unique opportunities open only to undergrads. Pre-selection applications are due November 3!

Register for the info session: https://illinois.zoom.us/meeting/register/iF8N-TQJRS6EoFacBxyJuQ #/registration

Learn more about these opportunities: https://mayoillinois.org/education-training

The Mayo Clinic & Illinois Alliance The Alliance is administered by the University of Illinois Health Sciences Institute and led in collaboration with the The Grainger College of Engineering, National Center for Supercomputing Applications - NCSA, and Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine.

Please share with your networks!
Undergraduate Research at Illinois Michael L. Jeffries, Sr. Center for Access and Academic Success UI Department of Bioengineering University of Illinois School of Molecular & Cellular Biology School of Information Sciences at Illinois Siebel School of Computing and Data Science Illinois ECE Department of Health and Kinesiology at Illinois Health Professions Advising at Illinois-The Career Center University of Illinois Psychology Department University of Illinois College of ACES

09/03/2025

Introducing ' 2025-2026 emerging research leaders!

Representing 15 units in 8 colleges and 6 of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's 10 campuswide interdisciplinary research institutes, our 15 newest academy members will engage in reflection and personal assessment, clarify their vision and goals, and develop five-year action plans to make their visions a reality.

Read more about the cohort selection process and what academy members can expect in the coming year:
https://healthinstitute.illinois.edu/news-events/news/introducing-the-2025-26-emerging-research-leaders

🎉 🎉 Then, join us in congratulating:

🔸 Hannah Holscher, University of Illinois Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

🔹 Bruno Pereira Nunes, Department of Health and Kinesiology at Illinois

🔸Yuhei Inoue, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at Illinois

🔹Angela Di Fulvio, Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering at Illinois

🔸Gregory Underhill, UI Department of Bioengineering

🔹Pinshane Huang, Materials Science & Engineering at Illinois Grainger Engineering

🔸Asma Hatoum, University of Illinois School of Molecular & Cellular Biology

🔹Deanna Hence, Illinois Department of Climate, Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences

🔸Jonathan Dunn, University of Illinois Department of Linguistics

🔹Leona Yi-Fan Su, Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising in the College of Media at Illinois

🔸Sepideh Sadaghiani, University of Illinois Psychology Department

🔹Wei Wei, Illinois Department of Mathematics

🔸Chris Stone, Prairie Research Institute

🔹Rachel Garthe, University of Illinois School of Social Work

🔸Megan Mahoney, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

Introducing the 2025-26 Emerging Research Leaders

08/28/2025

Meet the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undergraduates who spent their summer at Mayo Clinic as part of the 2025 Health Equity Research Experience (HERE), Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), and the Clinical Research Internship Study Program (CRISP).

For 10 weeks this summer, 15 Illinois undergrads worked alongside Mayo Clinic faculty. Students interested in these programs are invited to a poster session and celebration at on Sept. 4.

Be sure to Register today so that we can fully accommodate each guest! https://redcap.healthinstitute.illinois.edu/surveys/?s=RJC7LCEM7WX4E3XD

08/15/2025

Please join us Sept. 4 to help us celebrate the 🔸14 outstanding students🔹 who spent their summer working with world-class Mayo Clinic faculty to make an impact on health equity and innovation.

From AI-driven health engineering, public health, and neuroimaging to genomics, clinical trial participation, and immunology, their projects span disciplines and promise impact.

You can learn more about the scholars and their projects at a poster session and celebration on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 3-5 p.m. in the atrium of the Beckman Institute at Illinois. Light refreshments will be served.

Please register by Thursday, Aug. 28, to help us fully accommodate each guest during the event: https://redcap.healthinstitute.illinois.edu/surveys/?s=RJC7LCEM7WX4E3XD

👏 Join us in congratulating these scholars on a summer well-spent!

🔸 Cindy Chen (neural engineering)

🔹 Devina Joshi (MCB)

🔸 Sarah Guo (UI Department of Bioengineering)

🔹Roselyn H. (Human Development & Family Studies)

🔸 Sharon Ignatius Newton (bioengineering)

🔹 Rayyan Iqbal (Chemistry at Illinois)

🔸 Roxana Jafari Haddadian (neural engineering)

🔹 Lucas Jimenez (School of Integrative Biology and Chemistry)

🔸 Manasi Kulkarni (bioengineering)

🔹 Rose Olvera (neuroscience)

🔸 Ranjani Ramesh (Siebel School of Computing and Data Science)

🔹 Darian Tabrizi (bioengineering)

🔸 Sophia W. (bioengineering)

🔹 Pablo Zamora (integrative biology and University of Illinois Psychology Department)

We’re so proud of this talented group and can’t wait to see the impact of their work at Mayo Clinic and beyond. 🌟