University of Utah Team Receives 1U4U Seed Grant to Study Navigation and Physical Activity in People With Low Vision

An interdisciplinary University of Utah research team has received a 1U4U Mental and Behavioral Health Seed Grant to study how navigation behavior in virtual reality may help promote physical activity in people with low vision. The project, “Quantifying Navigation Behavior in Virtual Reality to Promote Physical Activity in People With Low Vision,” was selected for nearly $50,000 in funding.

The team includes Sarah Creem-Regehr of Psychology, Brian Stagg of the Moran Eye Institute, and University of Utah faculty Sarah Ivy and Samantha Ross-Cypcar from the College of Education. The two-year project will begin Sept. 1, 2026, and continue through March 1, 2028.

The 1U4U Collaborative Seed Grant Program supports cross-campus, cross-disciplinary research teams at the University of Utah. For 2025-2026, the program’s theme is mental and behavioral health. University reviewers described the proposal as strong, innovative and well positioned to generate pilot data for future funding.

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