iCREATE
Increasing Capacity for Injury Research in Eastern Europe
Contact
Dr. Diana Dulf
diana.dulf@ubbcluj.ro
Pandurilor 7 Street, 9th Floor, Room 910, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
This year, the iCREATE project consortium held a productive visit at the College of Public Health – University of Iowa, in the beautiful Iowa City, USA! The project partners gathered with the Iowa-based team to advance our collaborative research agenda and outline the next steps in our injury prevention initiatives.
The meetings emphasized practical ways to continue building student capacity in injury prevention research, aiming to equip them with the necessary skills and hands-on experience to advance their studies.
We also had the chance to connect with injury prevention experts at the University of Iowa, laying the groundwork for initiatives that will give students from the partner institutions valuable exposure to research and mentorship.
THE iCREATE PROJECT PARTNERS ATTENDING:
University of Iowa, USA (Co-Principal Investigator)
Babes-Bolyai University, Romania (Co-Principal Investigator)
Yerevan State Medical University, Armenia
Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia
Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rep. Moldova
Strategic meetings were planned with key leaders from the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health, International Programs Office, and Student Services Department. The discussions focused on deepening our academic collaboration to further shared goals in public health education and research. Together, we explored opportunities among project partners institutions to enhance student engagement in injury prevention research and build a stronger academic foundation that places the student experience at the center. By focusing on student capacity building, we’re ensuring that the iCREATE project empowers students with skills and real-world experience that will drive their future contributions to injury prevention.
We are grateful to everyone involved in this process along the way, whose dedication have been invaluable in advancing our shared vision!
There were several truly inspirational field visits that that were impressive. Our tour began at the Emergency Department and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, an impressive building where the 12th floor is dedicated to leisure activities for pediatric patients and their families, providing not only top-tier medical care but also emotional support and comfort. There are expansive windows, beautiful artwork, and a welcoming environment.
We were especially touched to learn about “The Iowa Wave” a moving tradition where fans, players, and staff wave to young patients watching from the hospital’s upper floors during Hawkeye football games, embodying the spirit of compassion and community.
At the Driving Safety Research Institute (DSRI) at the University of Iowa, we had the opportunity to experience their advanced driving simulator. There are realistic driving scenarios, allowing researchers to study driver behavior, test safety technologies, and explore ways to prevent injuries on the road. We learned about the DSRI’s ongoing research on topics such as distracted driving, impairment effects, and vehicle automation, each crucial for improving road safety.
Another impressive visit was to the Hank Virtual Environments Lab, where we engaged with their advanced virtual reality setups. These immersive simulations allow researchers to study human perception, movement, and decision-making in a variety of realistic scenarios. Experiencing these simulations demonstrated how the lab’s work contributes to safety advancements by analyzing behavior in controlled environments relevant to injury prevention.
These experiences provided fresh perspectives that align closely with the iCREATE project’s goals in injury prevention research and education.
Increasing Capacity for Injury Research in Eastern Europe
Dr. Diana Dulf
diana.dulf@ubbcluj.ro
Pandurilor 7 Street, 9th Floor, Room 910, Cluj-Napoca, Romania