I-SUMMER 2026 Projects
Research projects addressing substance use and mental health
IHSI’s I-SUMMER (Illinois–Substance Use and Mental Health Mentored Experience and Research) Program matches undergraduate students with academic mentors and community partners to work on projects that address real-world challenges in substance use, mental health, and related public health concerns. The 2026 program features seven interdisciplinary projects focused on substance use/misuse and mental health comorbidities, offering intensive, community-engaged summer research experiences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Through these projects, scholars contribute to improving community health and well-being while gaining hands-on experience in reciprocal, community-based research, participating in a supportive cohort, and working alongside the communities most directly impacted.
Understanding Substance Use and Mental Health Among Young Adults in Champaign-Urbana Through Participatory Listening Sessions
The Community-Academic Scholar will work with Social Work Prof. Moses Okumu, Social Work Prof. Doug Smith, and the Urbana Park District to understand how young adults in Champaign-Urbana experience and navigate substance use and mental health challenges. The project uses a harm reduction and participatory approach, engaging young adults through small-group listening sessions to explore the gap between intentions and behaviors shaped by stress, social pressures, and access to support. Findings will inform community-driven strategies and future interventions to support mental health and reduce substance-related harm among young adults.
Summer Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) Experience: Facilitating Youth-Led Project Related to Substance Use
The Community-Academic Scholar will work with Human Development and Family Studies Prof. Jacinda Dariotis and the YES Program to support a summer Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) experience focused on substance use. The project centers on guiding high school students as they design and carry out a youth-led research project, building skills in data collection, analysis, and action planning to address issues that matter to their communities.
Exploring Childhood, Family, and Social Factors that Predict Substance Use Risk-Taking among Transition-Aged Youth: Informing Prevention Recommendations
Two Community-Academic Scholars will work with Human Development and Family Studies Prof. Jacinda Dariotis and Rosecrance to examine how childhood, family, and social factors shape substance use risk-taking among transition-aged youth. The project focuses on analyzing longitudinal and multimodal data to identify key predictors of risk behaviors and translating findings into prevention recommendations that support youth, families, and community-based services.
Advancing Women’s Health Through Community-Engaged Research on Social and Structural Determinants of Health Screening and Substance Use
The Community-Academic Scholar will work with Communication Prof. Charee Thompson and the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System to examine how social and structural determinants of health screening in women’s health settings can inform substance use prevention and support. The project focuses on conducting a scoping review to identify barriers and facilitators to screening, with attention to how factors such as housing, food access, caregiving, and interpersonal safety shape care, and translating findings into practical materials for community and clinical use.
Understanding Nitrous Oxide Misuse Among Young Adults: Developing a Community-Engaged Pilot Study
The Community-Academic Scholar will work with Health and Kinesiology Prof. Rachel Hoopsick and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to develop a pilot study examining nitrous oxide misuse among young adults in Champaign-Urbana. The project focuses on understanding perceptions of risk, legality, and social acceptability, along with how these are shaped by local retail environments, through the design of a student survey and assessment of community retailers to inform future prevention and education efforts.
Translating Baseline Findings from the HEALERS Study to Inform Healthcare Worker Well-Being
The Community-Academic Scholar will work Health and Kinesiology Prof. Rachel Hoopsick and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to translate baseline findings from the HEALERS study into actionable insights for public health practice. The project focuses on analyzing data from a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded study examining how workplace conditions influence mental health, substance use, and suicidality among healthcare workers, with particular attention to lower-wage roles. In partnership with CUPHD, the scholar will help identify key findings and support the development of accessible, community-informed materials that inform prevention strategies and promote healthcare worker well-being.
Understanding Polysubstance Use Patterns and Overdose Risk in Champaign-Urbana
The Community-Academic Scholar will work with Health and Kinesiology Prof. Hyojung Kang and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to examine how polysubstance use contributes to overdose risk in the local community. The project focuses on identifying patterns of co-use involving opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines through analysis of emergency department and EMS data, alongside qualitative interviews that explore motivations, risk perception, and harm reduction practices among individuals who use drugs in Champaign-Urbana.