2026-2027 Faculty Research Grants

Cristy Moss (Medical & Laboratory Science). 

Glucose Method Validation Studies for Use in Underserved Communities.

Accurate laboratory-based glucose measurement is foundational to the diagnosis and management of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, current standard methods rely on high-throughput automated analyzers that are costly, infrastructure intensive, and impractical for many low-resource clinical settings. The financial, spatial, and technical requirements of these systems create barriers to timely diagnosis in underserved communities, both locally and globally. This project proposes to validate the P180 spectrophotometer as a reliable, lower-cost alternative for clinical glucose analysis in resource-limited environments. Through method comparison, precision, accuracy, linearity, and analytical performance studies aligned with established laboratory standards, we aim to determine whether this instrument can provide clinically acceptable results comparable to traditional automated platforms. By expanding access to validated, affordable laboratory technology, this project seeks to support earlier detection of metabolic disease and promote equitable diagnostic capacity in underserved settings.