FORT WORTH, TEXAS (June 9, 2026) – Austin Graybeal Ph.D. ’21, assistant professor of kinesiology in Texas Christian University’s Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences, recently earned the university’s first Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) award for his research and project on early breast cancer detection and screening.

The $250,000 grant is to continue developing a mobile 3D imaging technology called the breast cancer risk image-generated health tool (BRIGHT), which will help predict breast density and encourage more people to get mammograms for early breast cancer detection.

The goal of the project, which builds on his previous work using mobile 3D imaging tools for metabolic health, is to increase access, especially in rural Texas communities, to early risk-detection technology via a mobile application on your phone.  

“There’s a huge need to help those [in] more rural and underserved communities and provide them a patient-centered, pre-screening tool that can at least give them some information about their risk and get them connected,” Graybeal said. "The project will empower people to gain access to health information that more effectively informs their screening follow-through process, regardless of where they live."

BRIGHT is not intended to replace mammograms or diagnostics. Its purpose is to deliver an accessible, innovative approach to breast cancer prevention, risk education and the next steps to motivate patients to see healthcare providers.

For Graybeal, this research is personally relevant, as several of his family members, including his mother, have been previously diagnosed with breast cancer. About one in three women are diagnosed with the disease each year, and it’s crucial to detect it at an early stage. 

“Fortunately for my mother, the experiences from her family and my father’s always kept prevention at the front of her mind, and after detection at an early stage, she has been cancer-free for several years,” Graybeal said.

Graybeal was the first Ph.D. graduate from TCU’s kinesiology program. Since returning to TCU as a faculty member this year, he has published 13 manuscripts and research in journals such as the American Journal of Human Biology, British Journal of Nutrition, Military Medicine and the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.

“Our first Ph.D. in the program brought in our first CPRIT award for the university, which speaks to what we are building at TCU,” said Reuben Burch, vice provost for research. “We can continue to expect big-time firsts from our faculty as we make the push to R1.”

Continuing the cycle, Graybeal involved his undergraduate and graduate students in the initial data collection for this research and will continue collaborating with his undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students throughout the project’s development.

BRIGHT involved expertise from faculty across additional departments in Harris College, including the School of Nursing as well as the Department of Health Science and Public Health. 

Read more here. 

About Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences at TCU 
TCU’s Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences is the original nursing school of Fort Worth, training the next generation of health care professionals since 1946. Today, with more than 2,000 students enrolled, the areas of study include health science & public health, communication sciences and disorders, kinesiology, nursing, nurse anesthesia, occupational therapy, social work and the future area of study, physician associate (PA) studies. Harris College aims to transform global health through equitable, accessible and inclusive education, scholarship and innovation. To learn more, please visit Harris College’s website.

About Texas Christian University
Founded in 1873, TCU is a world-class, values-centered private university based in Fort Worth, Texas. The university comprises nine schools and colleges offering 117 areas of undergraduate study, 62 master’s level programs and 37 areas of doctoral study. Total enrollment stands at 12,785, including 10,915 undergraduates and 1,870 graduate students. The student/faculty ratio is 13.5:1, and 88% of TCU’s 735 full-time faculty members hold the highest degree in their discipline. TCU consistently ranks among the top universities and colleges in the nation, and the Horned Frog family consists of more than 100,000 living alumni. For more information, please visit TCU’s website.

TCU Media Contact:
Holly Ellman
Associate Director of Communication
817-257-NEWS (6397)
h.ellman@tcu.edu

Harris College Contact:
Taylor Helmes
Marketing & Communication Specialist
817-257-1616
taylor.helmes@tcu.edu

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