The National Institute of Health (NIH) has awarded Dr. Larry L. Mullins, with Oklahoma State University, a $3 million grant to conduct research that could offer parents more help soon after they learn their child has cancer.

The research will focus on the development of a psychosocial intervention for parents of children who are newly diagnosed with cancer, using both psychologists and nurses. The project includes Cincinnati Children’s Medical Hospital Center and the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center as well as OSU.

“We are tremendously excited to receive this NIH award,” Mullins said.  “It is our hope that this grant will ultimately result in the discovery of new ways to improve the quality of life for families who have a child with a chronic health condition or illness.”

Mullins is the Vaughn O. Vennerberg II Endowed Professor of Psychology and director of clinical training at OSU.  He is a fellow of two divisions in the the American Psychological Association including pediatric psychology and family psychology. Mullins is currently involved in two other NIH grants titled “Risk for Psychopathology and Neurocognitive Impairment in Leukemia Survivors” and “Short-term Outcomes of Genitoplasty in Disorders of Sexual Development.”  

Dr. Ahna L. Hoff Pai, co-principal investigator for the project, earned her master’s degree and doctorate in clinical psychology at OSU and currently serves as an associate professor at the University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics.