Grant awarded to reduce barriers for organ transplants

August 10, 2021

RESEARCH & INNOVATION

Camilla Nonterah, assistant professor of health psychology, has received $50,000 in grant funding from the American Society of Transplantation for her research on barriers in access to organ transplants.

The research project’s goal is to help reduce disparities in access to kidney transplantation, especially for renal patients from minority populations. The project aims to improve ways of identifying those at risk for experiencing problems.

“Getting an organ transplant is often accompanied by several challenges, especially for renal patients of color where an individual’s living circumstances, their economic status, or simply where they live geographically can be obstacles,” Nonterah said.

The study aims to develop a measure for identifying high-risk renal patients and will be administered in English and Spanish, she said.

The funding will provide a summer stipend for Nonterah, materials and supplies, and salary support for a part-time study coordinator.

Nonterah is a counseling psychologist by training whose research and clinical interests focus on behavioral medicine. She completed her pre-doctoral clinical psychology residency at Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston Consortium, and earned her doctorate from Virginia Commonwealth University. She joined the University of Richmond in 2017. 

The American Society of Transplantation is dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation and improving patient care by promoting research, education, advocacy, organ donation, and service to the community.