Randy Cron, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, and Gabriela Oates, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, have received funding to conduct high-impact COVID-19 research from the UAB Research Office. 

Dr. Cron received funding for his project titled, “Glucocorticoid Treatment of COVID-19 Cytokine Storm Syndrome.” This small clinical trial will study the effectiveness of glucocorticoid therapy in treating patients with severe COVID-19 cytokine storm syndrome (CSS). They also hope to assess genetic mutations in known and novel genes associated with COVID-19 CSS. Winn Chatham, M.D., professor in the Department of Medicine Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, is co-PI with Dr. Cron on this study. Devin Absher, Ph.D., faculty investigator at HudsonAlpha, will conduct the whole genome sequencing.

Dr. Oates received funding for her project titled, “Individual- and Area-Level Risk Factors for COVID-19 Disparities in the Deep South.” This study will analyze the role of individual- and area-level risk factors for COVID-19 disparities in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi with data from the three state health departments. The project will also define the impact of race, comorbidities, and social determinants of health on COVID-19 progression and outcomes with data from three health systems. The project is in collaboration with researchers at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and Ochsner Health System. Dr. Oates is the principal investigator on this study; Gerald McGwin, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Mona Fouad, M.D., MPH, professor in the Department of Medicine Division of Preventive Medicine, and William Curry, M.D., professor in the Department of Medicine Division of General Internal Medicine, serve as co-investigators.