WVU researcher Dr. Motao Zhu receives NIH grant

Motao Zhu, M.D., Ph.D.,, associate professor in the WVU School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology, has been awarded an R21 grant for his project, "A Phone App to Reduce Cell Phone Usage among Young Drivers: A Pilot Study." Dr. Zhu is also an Injury Control Research Center faculty affiliate.

The objective of Zhu's study is to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a phone app for reducing phone use and high-risk driving events in drivers, ages 18-20. A prospective, randomized, parallel-group, exploratory, three-arm trial will be conducted. They will conduct a process evaluation and estimate preliminary efficacy of the cell phone app in reducing calling, texting and high-risk driving events.