# HSR&D Research Career Scientist Award

> **NIH VA IK6** · EDWARD HINES JR VA HOSPITAL · 2022 · —

## Abstract

I have been conducting research in health services, epidemiology, and implementation science at the Hines
VA Medical Center, HSR&D Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare (CINCCH) for over 19
years. My primary area of research has focused on Veterans with SCI/D, whom are at increased risk for
infections and acquiring multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs). Little research had been conducted in this
patient population, particularly in the VA which is the single largest source of care for persons with SCI/D in
the U.S. My research has made significant impacts on the care of Veterans with SCI/D. This includes
developing and disseminating a toolkit on prevention of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
colonization/infection for patients with SCI/D; educating clinicians about the modifiable risk factors of
MDROs and impacts on morbidity and mortality in this population, and working collaboratively with clinicians
and investigators across the country to develop tools for monitoring and tracking outcomes in Veterans with
SCI/D, including the new VHA SCI/D outcomes registry. I have also expanded this work to a broader VA
population including leading a QUERI program on antimicrobial resistance. Overall, this portfolio of research
has led to 119 publications (45 first/senior author) and national prestige as a recipient of the Presidential
Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in 2012, awarded by the United States
president and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. In addition, as a doctoral level
epidemiologist, my methodological training has allowed me to support the research activities of
collaborators across the country. I also conduct mentoring activities for both clinician and non-clinician
investigators, fellows, and students and participate in service activities for both VA and non-VA workgroups
and committees. This award will be used to: 1) conduct and disseminate research that improves the health
care and outcomes of Veterans, with a particular focus on prevention and management of infections and
MDROs; 2) support the quantitative training and mentoring of students, fellows, and early career
investigators; and 3) provide service to local and national committees to support the mission of VA, the
HSR&D program, and CINCCH.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10199769
- **Project number:** 5IK6HX003156-02
- **Recipient organization:** EDWARD HINES JR VA HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** CHARLESNIKA T EVANS
- **Activity code:** IK6 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-10-01 → 2025-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10199769

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10199769, HSR&D Research Career Scientist Award (5IK6HX003156-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10199769. Licensed CC0.

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