Center for Applied Research

The mission of the Center for Applied Research (CFAR) is to establish mutually beneficial relationships with community organizations that provide curricular and co-curricular opportunities for students to develop knowledge and skills related to empirical research and expand professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.

The Center for Applied Research (CFAR) serves as a campus resource to benefit student learning, facilitate course development, expand professional development opportunities for faculty and staff, and establish mutually beneficial relationships with community organizations.

CFAR began in the Fall of 2012 when funding was obtained through the Richard King Mellon Foundation.

The primary activities of the Center involve the quantitative and qualitative performance of empirical research. The CFAR provides a valuable resource for research and data collection and analysis for both the campus and Westmoreland County, by working with other institutions/organizations who are pursuing grants and in need of independent evaluators.

“CFAR allows faculty to work on applied projects that have a direct impact on improving the University or the local community.  It is particularly rewarding to see the initial impact produced by our interactions with Pitt-Greensburg and community organizations."

- Jonathan Vallano, PhD (Former CFAR Director)

Current Projects

Scott Szypulski“CFAR provided me with a great opportunity to expand my research skills and knowledge of multiple fields.” Speaking about a past project, he continued, “While manufacturing falls under the scope of business, it is interesting to be researching topics outside my scope of studies. CFAR provided me with an experience of which few other students have the chance to be a part, and it will prepare me for my future career.”

- Scott Szypulski, Financial Research Administrator, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Former CFAR Research Assistant

CFAR Affiliated Faculty and Staff

Name Title Email
Geoffrey L. Wood, PhD Associate Professor of Sociology
Division Chair, Behavioral Sciences
Director of CFAR
geoff.wood@pitt.edu
Neelima Bhatnagar, PhD Assistant Professor of Information Science bhatnagr@pitt.edu
Victoria Causer, EdD Assistant Professor of Statistics vdc5@pitt.edu
Sheila Confer, EdD Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Director of the Academic Village
sec10@pitt.edu
Courtney DeCarlucci Manager, Foundation and Corporate Relations pggrants@pitt.edu
Jessica Ghilani, PhD Associate Professor of Communication jlgst83@pitt.edu
Pilar Herr, PhD Associate Professor of History pmh3@pitt.edu
Timothy Holler, PhD Associate Professor of Criminal Justice tjh67@pitt.edu
Olivia S. Long, PhD Associate Professor of Biochemistry OSL5@pitt.edu
Michelle Louch, DSc Assistant Professor of Healthcare Management mel321@pitt.edu

Danielle R. Mehlman-Brightwell

Assistant Professor of Public Policy & Communication

drm153@pitt.edu
John Prellwitz, PhD

Associate Professor of Communication
Division Chair, Humanities Division

jhp15@pitt.edu
Ewa Rudnicka, PhD

Assistant Professor of Business

rudnicka@pitt.edu

Katie Swope, PhD

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice kls301@pitt.edu
Jonathan Vallano, PhD

Associate Professor of Psychology

jov15@pitt.edu
Frank Wilson, PhD

Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs
Assistant Professor of Sociology

fdw@pitt.edu