LSU CSE Professor Receives NIMH Grant for ADHD Research
October 30, 2025
LSU Division of Computer Science and Engineering Associate Professor David Shepherd was recently awarded $675,000 from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
for his research on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The overall grant
is for $1.8 million for three years in collaboration with Rutgers University Chief
Wellness Officer and Department of Clinical Psychology Professor Joshua Langberg.
Shepherd and Langberg are studying to see if ADHD is caused by the modern world, in particular, technology. As part of Shepherd’s research, he asked university students with ADHD to work in a virtual reality (VR) while wearing noise-cancelling headphones completely blocking out real-world distractions. In his most recent study, 45 students completed 12 one-hour homework sessions and found that the students’ focus dramatically improved.
“With this NIMH grant, we intend to conduct a full-scale evaluation of this technology, eventually trialing it with more than 200 students,” Shepherd said.
“David continues to do amazing work, securing highly competitive NIH (National Institute of Health) funding even in a challenging research climate,” LSU Division of Computer Science and Engineering Chair Ibrahim “Abe” Baggili said. “His commitment to advancing solutions for ADHD reflects the very best of our research community. ADHD is a real and pressing issue for so many people, and finding innovative ways to help those affected, especially through cutting-edge approaches like this, is truly meaningful work.”
For more information on Shepherd’s research, visit https://www.lsu.edu/blog/2024/10/01vr_adhdresearch_rh.php.
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