# Research Project-1

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI · 2024 · $442,339

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Climate change is causing a marked increase in ambient temperatures in specific regions, especially in US
Midwest cities, leading to a heightened risk of heat-related illness (HRI). Notably, individuals' susceptibility to
HRI severity and recovery varies due to several factors, including age, social determinants of health, and
underlying health conditions. Given these variations, a personalized approach to risk management is imperative
to mitigate the adverse consequences of HRI. This project will explore the effects of heat stress among at-risk
populations including firefighters and elderly individuals residing in neighborhoods vulnerable to the effects of
climate change using a combination of self-reported data, wearable sensors, and transcriptomic signatures in
the following aims: Aim 1: Determine variation in severity of biometric responses and HRI in firefighters at the
time of live burn training and its prediction of biometric measures during the week following exposure. Before,
during, and for 3 h after training, core body temperature (CBT), heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV)
will be measured in 24 firefighters. Neurological assessments will include fatigue/body discomfort and sleepiness
surveys, postural balance, gait function and dual task tests. Whole blood and nasal swabs will be collected 1
week before, immediately after, and 3 days after exposure. Aim 2. Determine the association between exposure
to elevated temperature and humidity and HRI among susceptible elderly individuals as measured by self-
reported symptoms and smartwatch biometrics. A panel study will be conducted involving elderly individuals
(>50yr, n=48) living in neighborhoods vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to poor tree canopy
coverage, decreased community socioeconomic position and resources, and high percentage of racially
marginalized populations. In-home temperature and humidity, weekly smartwatch biometrics and heat-related
health questionnaires will be collected. Nasal swabs will be obtained for analysis in Aim 3. Aim 3. Determine
whether nasal transcriptomic signatures can predict heat-related illness in individuals with increased
susceptibility to climate change extreme heat. Changes in nasal transcriptomics will be assessed within-subject
using specimens obtained before and after an extreme heat event [live burn training (Aim 1) or heat waves (Aim
2)]. RNA sequencing will be performed on firefighter whole blood and nasal and community member nasal
specimens. Using biometric variables for classification, we will compare responders from non-responders with
similar heat exposures and compare their transcriptomes. Understanding the transcriptomic signature of heat
stress and its implications for both firefighters and vulnerable populations in heat-affected neighborhoods is of
high significance and potential for public health impact. This research addresses the immediate health risks
posed by rising temperatur...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10983138
- **Project number:** 1P20ES036792-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
- **Principal Investigator:** George Douglas Leikauf
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $442,339
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-26 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10983138

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10983138, Research Project-1 (1P20ES036792-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10983138. Licensed CC0.

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