News

Fri, 10/09/2026

KU researcher exploring connections across pain and addiction honored with professorship

Jessica Powers, who focuses on interventions to help people with chronic pain or cancer reduce alcohol and tobacco use as assistant scientist at the Cofrin Logan Center, was honored with the Judy Janes Professorship.

Fri, 10/09/2026

El Centro and KU partner on data-driven statewide effort to build a fuller picture of Latino communities in Kansas

El Centro, a Latino-led, Latino-serving nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, Kan., is leading the initiative to create a comprehensive, community-led portrait of the Latino experience in Kansas, with the KU Center for Community Health and Development (CCHD).

Thu, 10/08/2026

KU eating disorders research center to welcome the public with open house and resource fair

The Center for the Advancement of Research on Eating Behaviors at the Life Span Institute recently moved to Youngberg Hall on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence.

Fri, 10/02/2026

Research team survey to amplify technology-related programs for older adults and people with disabilities

This project will create the first comprehensive national dataset on technology access, barriers, and innovations for older adults and people with disabilities, helping states make data-informed policy, funding, and service decisions.

Mon, 09/21/2026

KU researchers detail successes, challenges of practices to help autistic students transition out of high school

Researchers at the Kansas University Center on Disabilities and special education colleagues are publishing a series of studies in a special journal issue detailing the successes and challenges of two evidence-based practices to help autistic students make the transition from high school.

Thu, 09/17/2026

Kansas Board of Regents recognizes ‘outstanding contributions’ of six KU employees

The board’s program recognizes faculty and staff at Kansas universities for their contributions to teaching, student success, research, institutional excellence and Kansas communities.

Fri, 09/11/2026

KU to host series of informational meetings for students with intellectual disabilities, parents and educators

The University of Kansas Transition to Postsecondary Education program (KU TPE) is hosting a series of informational meetings in several Kansas cities in October and November. KU TPE is a two-year, fully inclusive undergraduate certificate program at the Lawrence campus.

Thu, 09/03/2026

New KU initiative recognizes community partnerships driving action across Kansas

The University of Kansas Office of Community Impact has announced 26 inaugural champions and hubs that support community-engaged scholarship and collaboration across Kansas.

Mon, 08/31/2026

KU-based initiative helps build safer community for Wyandotte County youth

A new study demonstrates effective ways to reduce youth violence, with a 42% decrease in the rate of youth homicide within the catchment area served during the years of the KU-based program.

Wed, 08/26/2026

Using FDA addiction science, researcher asks: Do salty, high-fat foods act like drugs?

University of Kansas researcher Tera Fazzino is investigating whether “hyperpalatable” foods marketed to Americans — foods formulated with artificially high amounts of fat, salt and carbohydrates — have traits commonly associated with addictive substances. She recently earned a $2.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to test the idea using experimental practices standard in the field of regulatory research.

Thu, 08/20/2026

Q&A with Researcher Tera Fazzino: What we can learn about the global food supply today by examining Big Tobacco’s past

Hyperpalatable food scientist explains how tobacco companies influenced the global food supply and how it changed the way people eat

Tue, 08/11/2026

Award to help KU researcher increase scale of inclusive fitness programs

Functional fitness has been a model for inclusive exercise, but access is inconsistent. This study will lay the groundwork for increasing access to the community-based exercise program.

Wed, 08/05/2026

KU Professor Sean Smith Receives Prestigious 2026 David Rose UDL Research Award

Life Span Institute-affiliated research honored by national organization for his leadership and research in advancing better access to learning through universal design.

Wed, 08/05/2026

Project to develop digital eating-disorder intervention tailored to experiences of Black postpartum individuals

KU research addresses the critical need for accessible eating-disorder treatment during the postpartum period, when changes in body image, eating habits and caregiving demands can increase risk for disordered eating.

Tue, 08/04/2026

$50K Grant Funds New Screening and Support Initiative in Cancer Care for Alcohol Use

A project with Cofrin Logan Center researchers aims to improve screening and care through the development of a consistent method to ask head and neck cancer patients about their use of alcohol.

Tue, 07/28/2026

KU research award will help develop pain and nicotine intervention for cancer survivors

Cancer survivors are often excluded from smoking cessation studies, even though survivors managing chronic pain are significantly more likely to use nicotine than the general population.

Mon, 07/27/2026

Q&A: 6 Questions with Lisa Hallberg

Lisa Hallberg is a senior research database and software engineer in Research Design and Analysis, a part of LSI's central office. She brings her problem-solving and creativity to the work that supports graduate students, investigators and staff at the Life Span Institute, and she dedicates time to develop the skills of REDCap users at KU and globally.

Mon, 07/27/2026

Q&A: 6 Questions with Rich Yi

Rich Yi is a professor in the Department of Psychology and the Director of the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, which became a Life Span Institute center in 2018.

Wed, 07/15/2026

Study finds effective method to help teachers address gap between finding a good practice and getting started

Researchers at the University of Kansas have documented an approach that helps educators address the “know-do gap.” The gap is when teachers and schools know a practice will benefit the students but it is difficult to get started for any number of reasons. The practice helps anticipate obstacles, plan for them and deliver new practices for students.

Wed, 07/08/2026

KU autism AI tool launched to provide resources to Kansas families

With a new artificial intelligence chatbot tool developed at the University of Kansas, families can receive vetted information about autism that is specific to their needs in Kansas.

Mon, 07/06/2026

National association recognizes KU researchers for contributions that advance the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities

Out of thousands of researchers and professionals, nine researchers affiliated with KU were recognized by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Tue, 06/09/2026

Statewide partnership to help improve literacy rates evaluates school readiness, educator training

KU researchers are working to address declining literacy rates in Kansas schools, where just 1 out of 3 students are reaching grade-level proficiency. The goal through the state's Blueprint for Literacy initiative is to reach 90% proficiency for students across Kansas.

Wed, 06/03/2026

US tobacco firms used cigarette-selling tactics to globally market ultraprocessed foods

A new study from the University of Kansas details how U.S. tobacco corporations expanded into global food markets from the mid-1980s to the mid-2000s, using strategies honed through cigarette sales to market ultraprocessed foods, which are industrially processed and contain ingredients and additives that maximize their appeal.

Thu, 05/28/2026

Q&A: 6 Questions with Maria Hugh

Maria Hugh is an assistant professor of special education at KU and an affiliated investigator at the KU Center on Disabilities (KUCD).

Mon, 05/04/2026

Research aims to identify underlying causes for linked mental health issues

Under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, two clients can have different diagnostic labels but nearly identical symptoms. Researchers found the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) can work as a more precise alternative.

Thu, 04/30/2026