Krupp Center for Integrative Research

Center Base Path
research

About Grants



Krupp Center for Integrative Research (KCIR) members are eligible to apply for a Krupp Award. If this is your first time applying for an award, ensure you have completed a membership application to become a KCIR member. The KS is an award of up to $50,000 per year for 1-2 years. The KL is an award of up to $150,000 per year for 1-3 years. Available funds vary each year, ranging from $100,000 to $450,000/year. KL are fewer in number and therefore more competitive than KS level grants. Applications will be prioritized when they meet the KEF primary aim and objective. Based on their adherence to the following criteria, projects may be invited to submit a full application:

Primary Aim

To support research that examines the benefits of natural, complementary and alternative medicine and integrative medicine approaches that show the greatest promise of bettering human health for the largest number of people, at the lowest cost, without the use of prescription drugs or surgery.

Primary Objective

To support innovative clinical research in the fields of diet/nutrition; medicinal food and herbs; homeopathy; and food derived macro- and micronutrients (which include vitamins and minerals).

  • Promote active involvement of patients in their own care
  • Address the health needs and conditions and/or involve the participation of those with limited means
  • Utilize inexpensive, readily available, and natural approaches, treatments, and products
  • Incorporate a team approach to care (e.g. group-based intervention programs)
  • Involve Centers for Integrative Health (CIH) patients or those who participate in CIH clinical, nutritional, or educational programs

  • Focus on diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of common, clinically significant, or costly health conditions (in which introduction of a natural CAM/IM approach could improve clinical outcomes, ameliorate suffering, or reduce costs) without the use of prescription drugs or surgery
  • Address the use of one or more Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Medicine (CAM/IM) approaches in the fields of natural diet (may also include lifestyle focus if part of a comprehensive diet and lifestyle program); medicinal foods and herbs; food-derived macro- and micronutrients (which include vitamins and minerals); and homeopathy
  • Other CAM/IM research projects will be considered on merit after all existing work in the fields above have been exhausted

  • Self-contained research projects that generate pilot data needed to design a larger, more definitive study
  • Clinical studies that bring credibility to previous low-level research already done by others.
    Clinical studies that also employ a basic science component to determine biological mechanisms of CAM/IM approaches
  • Epidemiologic (observational) investigations of effects of CAM/IM use on important health outcomes in specific patient populations
  • Health services research addressing cost, utilization, or satisfaction with CAM/IM care



     

Review of Full Applications

Full applications (if invited) will be subject to a comprehensive scientific and programmatic review. The following scoring criteria will be used for the reviews during the evaluation of these proposals:

Scientific Review

  • Significance: Addresses a major health issue or key barrier in the field.
  • Innovation: Proposes novel ideas or methods that shift current practice.
  • Approach: Clear, feasible strategy with sound methods and backup plans.
  • Environment: Strong scientific and clinical setting supports success.
  • Investigator(s): Team has the expertise, training, and track record to execute the project.

Programmatic Review

  • Strategic alignment with stated Krupp aims, objectives and priorities
  • Efficiency and responsibility in use of grant funds
  • Demonstration of greatest impact to society and future research, if funded

Begin the Application

Formally begin the process with a Letter of Intent (LOI). Outline the research question, target population, methods, and how your work advances integrative health. LOIs are evaluated based on eligibility, scientific merit, cost efficiency, and programmatic impact.

Membership



Interested in getting your research funded?

Becoming a member of the Krupp Center for Integrative Research (KCIR) connects you to a collaborative research community focused on integrative health and offers opportunities to mentor emerging investigators.

KCIR Members receive:

  • Early access to funding announcements
  • Invitations to an annual strategy meeting on future research directions
  • Opportunities to mentor new investigators
  • Mentors may serve as co-investigators or as non-collaborating advisors
     

Research Membership

To apply for membership and qualify for research funding, you must:

  • Be a UC San Diego faculty or staff member

  • Be a member of the Krupp Center for Integrative Research (KCIR)

  • Click below to join the team!

About Us



ABOUT US

Thanks to the generosity and vision of Richard "Dick" Krupp, UC San Diego has established the Krupp Endowed Fund (KEF). The primary aim of the KEF is to support research examining natural complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine approaches that show the greatest promise for bettering human health for the largest number of people, at the lowest cost, without relying on prescription drugs or surgery. Watch the video below to learn more about our history and mission.

From One Man’s Healing Journey To a Lasting Commitment to Research and Integrative Health

Richard “Dick” Krupp grew up with chronic asthma and modest means, but his life changed when he began exploring health and nutrition through the work of pioneers like Adele Davis and Carlton Fredericks. Turning to natural approaches—diet, herbs, vitamins—he dramatically improved his own health and began sharing these methods with others, seeing similarly powerful results.

Believing that millions could benefit from natural healing, he sought to back these approaches with scientific research. In 1997, he established a trust at UC San Diego and later expanded his support through a transformative gift to the UC San Diego Center for Integrative Medicine. Inspired by the Center’s mission to serve all communities, he also helped bring Frazier Farms, a natural grocery store, to San Diego.

Dick passed away on January 1, 2015. His generosity and belief in the healing power of food continue to shape the future of integrative health through the Krupp Endowed Fund.


Meet the Team

Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH

Director, UC San Diego Krupp Center for Integrative Research

Shahrokh (Shah) Golshan, PhD

Co-Director, UC San Diego Krupp Center for Integrative Research

Lauray MacElhern, MBA

Managing Director, UC San Diego Centers for Integrative Health


Research Executive
Committee

Shahrokh (Shah) Golshan, PhD
Nigel Crawford, PhD
Lauray MacElhern, MBA
Chris D'Adamo, PhD
Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH

Research Team

Tatyana Shekhtman, MS, PMC
Phoebe Senowitz, M.Ed., NBC-HWC, CHES
Renu Sugathan 
Kathleen Bundy, MS, RDN
Chloe Delgado Ramirez, BA
Jessica Matthews, DBH, NBC-HWC, DipACLM
Leslie J. Sebastian

Krupp Committee

Joshua Shelton (Chair)
Larry Cooper, Esq.
Daniel Vicario, MD
Cindy Leeder, DC
Lauray MacElhern, MBA
Z’ev Rosenberg, LAc
Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH


Active Members

Seema Aceves, MD, PhD
Sanjay Agarwal, MD
Hossein Ansari, MD
Ellen Beck, MD
Ryan Bradley, ND, MPH
Tim Brown, PhD
Ru Bryan, PhD
Laura Buehning, MD, MPH
Marcia Ellison, PhD
Lauren Foster, PhD
Alessandra Franco, MD, PhD
Linda Hill, MD, MPH
Suzi Hong, PhD
Chad Hutchison, MSN, RN
Wonkyu Ju, PhD

Carrie Jung, MD
Hyeoneui Kim, RN, MPH, PhD
Hollis King, DO, PhD
David Kunkel, MD
Thomas Liu, PhD
Emily Lukacz, MD
Lauray MacElhern, MBA
Paul Mills, PhD
Sonia Ponce, MD
Erin Raskin, MS, LAc, DACM
Ravinder Reddy, MD
Byron Richard, MS, RD, CDE
Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH
Jeffrey Schwimmer, MD
Dorothy Sears, PhD

David Shannahoff-Khalsa
Tanya Shekhtman
I-Wei Shu, MD, PhD
Amy Sitapati, MD
Mamata Sivagnanam, MD
Daniel Slater, MD
Radhika Sundararajan, MD, PhD
Pam Taub, MD
Robert Terkeltaub, MD
Luke Thompson, PhD
Francisco Villarreal, MD, PhD
Kenneth Vitale, MD
Sonya Wang, MD
Robert Weinreb, MD
Linda Zangwill, PhD

Preoperative Flavanols Supplementation in Elderly Patients to Reduce Inflammatory Markers and Improve Mitochondrial Function

Led by Dr. Byron Fergerson, Clinical Professor and Vice Chair of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego Health, this study evaluated a flavanol-based supplement aimed at supporting recovery and overall health in patients 50 years or older preparing for hip or knee replacement surgery. Participants completed two in-home blood draws, took one 500 mg capsule daily for 14 days, logged their intake, and answered questionnaires.  Study findings and latest publications may be found under the Outcomes section of this website.

Principal Investigator(s)
Study Duration
2 weeks
Study Compensation
Up to $100
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
619‑929‑0828
Primary Center

Weight Management: Dissemination and Implementation of Shared Medical Appointments at UC San Diego Health

The UCSD Supervised Lifestyle and Integrative Medicine (SLIM) Program for the treatment of obesity is a virtual SMA program that has a curriculum based on USPSTF recommendations for intensive lifestyle change and meets the requirements of ITLC outlined in the American College of Lifestyle Medicine position statement on ITLC.

It is run by the UC San Diego Center for Integrative Medicine, and in-person assessment visits take place at the UC San Diego Center for Weight Management. The program consists of 12 visits, covering all six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. There are 2 pre-intervention visits for initial assessments and tailored recommendations and 2 follow-up assessments.

Study Activities

Participation includes 12 virtual group appointments, 2 pre-intervention visits, and 2 post-intervention assessments, focused on lifestyle education and personalized weight management support.

Participant Benefits

Education and tools for long-term weight management through evidence-based lifestyle interventions and support from an integrative health team.

Additional Information

Additional eligibility requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator, please contact us for screening.

Study Duration
6 months
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
858‑413‑7728
Primary Center

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Anti-Inflammatory Diet Randomized Trial

Dr. Monica Guma, from the Division of Rheumatology at UC San Diego, is conducting a study of a 3-month long program to test nutritional changes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Study Activities

There will be four, one-hour, face-to-face visits required. Participation will also involve education and support in the adoption of a healthy and nutritionally balanced anti-inflammatory diet. The program includes a detailed baseline orientation, expert nutrition counseling and education, and telephone coaching.

Participant Benefits

Education and support in adopting a healthy and nutritionally balanced anti-inflammatory diet.

Eligibility Criteria

Any patient with rheumatoid arthritis without food allergies can participate.

Additional Information

If you are interested in the study and would like further details, please contact the Nutrition Rheumatoid Arthritis Study Coordinator. You may also review the study flyer here.

Additional eligibility requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator, please contact us for screening.

Principal Investigator(s)
Study Duration
3 months
Email
z2manalo@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
858-822-3745
Primary Center

Evaluating the Effects of Magnesium on Arterial Compliance and Cerebral Blood Flow

This feasibility study aimed to examine whether 12 weeks of magnesium supplementation (450 mg magnesium citrate 3x day with food) might increase cerebral blood flow and reduce the stiffness of the medium-sized arteries in the brain of obese patients with metabolic syndrome. Blood and MRI were measured before and after the intervention. 

Principal Investigator(s)

Thomas Liu, PhD

Ryan Bradley, ND, MPH

Study Duration
12 weeks
Primary Center

Integrative Prehabilitation Program for Patients Facing Surgery

This study supports patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery with a comprehensive integrative care plan. The program includes services before and after surgery and is led by UC San Diego experts in mindfulness, dietetics, and exercise physiology.

Study Activities

A treatment development and feasibility study assessing a 3–5 month integrative pre- and post-habilitation program. The program includes mindfulness sessions with a mindfulness coach (MC), dietary counsel visits with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), and physical fitness consultation visits with an exercise physiologist. The study activities consists of mostly virtual visits and surveys, but also includes in-person visits to complete questionnaires and physical evaluations.

Participant Benefits

All services are provided at no cost. Pre- and post-surgical oral nutrition supplements are provided. Participants may experience improved surgical outcomes, reduced anxiety, and enhanced overall well-being.

Eligibility Criteria
  • Adults ages 18–75 undergoing major abdominal surgery for gastrointestinal cancer
  • Must enroll at least 4 weeks—and no more than 3 months—prior to surgery
Additional Information

Additional eligibility requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator, please contact us for screening.

Principal Investigator(s)

Jula Veerapong, MD

Jenn Lee, MD

Study Duration
3-5 months
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
858-413-7728
Primary Center

Integrative Plant-Based Diet & Behavioral Interventions for Patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

This study explored an Integrative Nutrition program for reducing symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). The objective of this prospective single center study is to test a whole-food, plant-based diet with special attention to certain foods for patients with LPR. Eligible patients included adults aged 18 to 89 years old with 8 weeks or more of laryngeal symptoms (dysphonia/voice hoarseness, throat clearing, sore throat, globus, cough, mucus in throat), that were suspected to have potential LPR and receiving concurrent clinical speech therapy at UC San Diego Health.  Assessments were conducted before and after an 8-week intervention including in-depth evaluation, dietary counseling, educational materials, with customized meal plans and recipes. The study activities also include completing online assessments.  

 

Principal Investigator(s)
Primary Center

Anti-Inflammatory Rich Diet in First Episode Psychosis

The goal of the study was multi-faceted: to develop and test a dietary intervention based on an anti-inflammatory, whole-food-based diet pattern using continuous feedback from early psychosis patients and their families, evaluate the feasibility, satisfaction, and adherence of a 5-week diet intervention, and explore whether the intervention effects weight, metabolic parameters, biomarkers, symptoms of psychosis, and overall well-being. The intervention included individualized dietary counseling, diet education, meal plans, and recipes.

Principal Investigator(s)

Helen Mirzakhanian, PhD

Kristin Cadenhead, MD

Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
619-543-7816
Primary Center