Search
Advancing the Next Generation
Meet Our
2017 Scholars
Nick Allen | PhD
Professor of Clinical Psychology | University of Oregon
Research Interest: Youth mental health, sensing with mobile and wearable computing, prevention science.
Research Summary: Nick Allen is the Ann Swindells Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Oregon, and the Director of the Center for Digital Mental Health. He studies adolescent mental health, especially depression and substance use, and his research aims to understand how children and adolescents are affected by the environments in which they grow up — especially factors such as family and peer relationships, stress, abuse, and socio-economic disadvantage. The aim of this work is to inform innovative approaches to early intervention and prevention by utilizing this knowledge to generate novel, developmentally-targeted, clinical and public health interventions. He is currently developing and testing interventions targeting sleep, parenting, and teen sexual and romantic relationships as modifiable risk factors for poor mental health. His recent work also focuses on using mobile and wearable devices, and social media, to unobtrusively track and analyze behavior in order to detect mental health needs and provide adaptive, personalized interventions.
Research Summary: Nick Allen is the Ann Swindells Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Oregon, and the Director of the Center for Digital Mental Health. He studies adolescent mental health, especially depression and substance use, and his research aims to understand how children and adolescents are affected by the environments in which they grow up — especially factors such as family and peer relationships, stress, abuse, and socio-economic disadvantage. The aim of this work is to inform innovative approaches to early intervention and prevention by utilizing this knowledge to generate novel, developmentally-targeted, clinical and public health interventions. He is currently developing and testing interventions targeting sleep, parenting, and teen sexual and romantic relationships as modifiable risk factors for poor mental health. His recent work also focuses on using mobile and wearable devices, and social media, to unobtrusively track and analyze behavior in order to detect mental health needs and provide adaptive, personalized interventions.
John A. Batsis | MD
Associate Professor | Dartmouth
Research Interest: Obesity, mHealth, Physical Function, Interventions.
Research Summary: The main goal of my research is develop a health promotion intervention that integrates mHealth and sensor technologies to deliver community-based interventions which will improve function in older obese adults. I am using Amulet, a Dartmouth-designed open-source mHealth device, that does not rely on other devices (ie: smartphone) to function, and coupling it with behavioral management. Amulet provides personalized programmable reminders and feedback to allow for goal attainment. My proposed research will assisting me in developing a Mobile Health Obesity Wellness Intervention (MOWI) whose aims are to: a) adapt Amulet to assess functional measures (gait speed, strength, sit-to-stand and activity type); b) develop and refine MOWI that will successfully integrate Amulet's self-directed sensor-based technology into a nutrition and exercise pilot program; and c) ascertain whether Amulet is feasible and acceptable in older adults with obesity identifying design and content flaws as part of usability testing.
Research Summary: The main goal of my research is develop a health promotion intervention that integrates mHealth and sensor technologies to deliver community-based interventions which will improve function in older obese adults. I am using Amulet, a Dartmouth-designed open-source mHealth device, that does not rely on other devices (ie: smartphone) to function, and coupling it with behavioral management. Amulet provides personalized programmable reminders and feedback to allow for goal attainment. My proposed research will assisting me in developing a Mobile Health Obesity Wellness Intervention (MOWI) whose aims are to: a) adapt Amulet to assess functional measures (gait speed, strength, sit-to-stand and activity type); b) develop and refine MOWI that will successfully integrate Amulet's self-directed sensor-based technology into a nutrition and exercise pilot program; and c) ascertain whether Amulet is feasible and acceptable in older adults with obesity identifying design and content flaws as part of usability testing.
Sara Hoffman | BA
PhD Student | Northwestern University
Research Interest: Social support, social networks, weight loss, obesity.
Research Summary: My research leverages mHealth to understand its ability to connect and provide social support to individuals undergoing health behavior changes. My experience centers on the introduction of new technologies into behavioral practice, and coaching study participants and members of their social network in theory-based principles to promote engagement. In my mentor’s lab, I am involved in several clinical behavioral interventions utilizing optimization frameworks, such as MOST. I seek to build the evidence base by first harnessing already-existing mHealth technologies and adapting them as measurement tools for elucidation of social support mechanisms. Another aim is to utilize mHealth as a central intervention tool to augment existing social support resources within an individual's network, and engage those who do not utilize online support to its fullest capacity.
Research Summary: My research leverages mHealth to understand its ability to connect and provide social support to individuals undergoing health behavior changes. My experience centers on the introduction of new technologies into behavioral practice, and coaching study participants and members of their social network in theory-based principles to promote engagement. In my mentor’s lab, I am involved in several clinical behavioral interventions utilizing optimization frameworks, such as MOST. I seek to build the evidence base by first harnessing already-existing mHealth technologies and adapting them as measurement tools for elucidation of social support mechanisms. Another aim is to utilize mHealth as a central intervention tool to augment existing social support resources within an individual's network, and engage those who do not utilize online support to its fullest capacity.
Biren Kamdar | MD, MBA, MHS
Assistant Professor | UCLA
Research Interest: Intensive Care Unit Outcomes, Delirium, Sleep and Mobility in the ICU, Quality Improvement.
Research Summary: I am an intensive care unit (ICU) physician and clinical researcher focused on understanding and improving outcomes in critically ill patients. More specifically, I am interested in delirium, a common ICU syndrome associated with devastating long-term cognitive, mental health and physical impairments, and early death. Critically ill patients often suffer from poor sleep and immobility, which are well-known risk factors for ICU delirium. Previously, I performed an NIH-funded study evaluating the effect of an ICU-wide sleep promotion effort on delirium and other important ICU outcomes. Currently, my research focuses on the feasibility of actigraphy (wrist accelerometry) in critically ill patients. Over the long-term I aim to develop actigraphy-based wireless technologies to identify patients’ carrying the highest risk of adverse ICU-associated outcomes, and those who may benefit the most from early rehabilitation interventions.
Research Summary: I am an intensive care unit (ICU) physician and clinical researcher focused on understanding and improving outcomes in critically ill patients. More specifically, I am interested in delirium, a common ICU syndrome associated with devastating long-term cognitive, mental health and physical impairments, and early death. Critically ill patients often suffer from poor sleep and immobility, which are well-known risk factors for ICU delirium. Previously, I performed an NIH-funded study evaluating the effect of an ICU-wide sleep promotion effort on delirium and other important ICU outcomes. Currently, my research focuses on the feasibility of actigraphy (wrist accelerometry) in critically ill patients. Over the long-term I aim to develop actigraphy-based wireless technologies to identify patients’ carrying the highest risk of adverse ICU-associated outcomes, and those who may benefit the most from early rehabilitation interventions.
Adam C. Levine | MD, MPH, FACEP
Associate Professor | Brown University
Research Interest: Acute care in humanitarian emergencies/resource-limited settings.
Research Summary: Since 2005, my research has focused on the development of new diagnostic tools and technologies for improving the delivery of acute care in resource-limited settings and during humanitarian emergencies. In particular, much of my work has focused on the development of new clinical diagnostic tools for assessing dehydration in patients during cholera outbreaks, with goal of improving management for this rapidly fatal but easily treatable disease in low-resource settings. I have also conducted research on new diagnostic and therapeutics for management of Ebola Virus Disease during the recent epidemic in West Africa. More recently, I have become interested in mHealth as a tool for helping less skilled medical providers in low-resource settings to manage acute conditions.
Research Summary: Since 2005, my research has focused on the development of new diagnostic tools and technologies for improving the delivery of acute care in resource-limited settings and during humanitarian emergencies. In particular, much of my work has focused on the development of new clinical diagnostic tools for assessing dehydration in patients during cholera outbreaks, with goal of improving management for this rapidly fatal but easily treatable disease in low-resource settings. I have also conducted research on new diagnostic and therapeutics for management of Ebola Virus Disease during the recent epidemic in West Africa. More recently, I have become interested in mHealth as a tool for helping less skilled medical providers in low-resource settings to manage acute conditions.
Gina Kruse | MD, MPH
Assistant Professor | Massachusetts General Hospital
Research Interest: DCancer prevention, tobacco cessation, EHR and mobile health interventions to improve preventive services
Research Summary: My research focuses on using technology-based solutions to improve the delivery of preventive services to patients engaged in healthcare systems. Technology has the potential to connect patients with services outside of the busy office visit and may engaged patients in underserved settings who face challenges in accessing usual treatments. I am studying a text messaging intervention for primary care patients who smoke which delivers advice about behavior change and medication use, and motivational content. I am interested in understanding how the patient provider relationship can be leveraged in a mHealth intervention and how the intervention can be integrated with primary care to coordinate with pharmacotherapy or counseling.
Research Summary: My research focuses on using technology-based solutions to improve the delivery of preventive services to patients engaged in healthcare systems. Technology has the potential to connect patients with services outside of the busy office visit and may engaged patients in underserved settings who face challenges in accessing usual treatments. I am studying a text messaging intervention for primary care patients who smoke which delivers advice about behavior change and medication use, and motivational content. I am interested in understanding how the patient provider relationship can be leveraged in a mHealth intervention and how the intervention can be integrated with primary care to coordinate with pharmacotherapy or counseling.
Sun Young Park | PhD
Assistant Professor | University of Michigan
Research Interest: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), Design Research.
Research Summary: My research goal is to investigate information work practices by examining how multiple users access, use, share, and document information through a variety of information systems in highly reliable, dynamic environments, such as healthcare settings. In my PhD dissertation work, I examine how health IT systems support healthcare providers’ information work, and explore healthcare consumers’ information needs and behaviors in a hospital setting. In my current research, I have extended this work to broader patient subject populations, including pediatric patients, people with physical disabilities and people with mental health issues, in order to develop behavioral and psychosocial interventions through mobile, ubiquitous computing technology.
Research Summary: My research goal is to investigate information work practices by examining how multiple users access, use, share, and document information through a variety of information systems in highly reliable, dynamic environments, such as healthcare settings. In my PhD dissertation work, I examine how health IT systems support healthcare providers’ information work, and explore healthcare consumers’ information needs and behaviors in a hospital setting. In my current research, I have extended this work to broader patient subject populations, including pediatric patients, people with physical disabilities and people with mental health issues, in order to develop behavioral and psychosocial interventions through mobile, ubiquitous computing technology.
Angela Fidler Pfammatter | PhD
Research Assistant Professor | Northwestern University
Research Interest: Optimization of Behavioral Interventions, Technology Supported Interventions, Multiple Health Behavior Change
Research Summary: My research endeavors all relate to optimizing health behavior change interventions to prevent and manage chronic disease. My work has focused on optimizing efficiency, fidelity, and reach of interventions using web, smartphone, and smartwatch applications. I have a strong interest in collaborative transdisciplinary work that can push the boundaries of knowledge in the realm of behavior change in college age students and adults. As such, my collaborations with other disciplines have lead to new insights in the areas of coping with illness, improving behavioral intervention efficiency in primary care, and revealing patterns of mHealth engagement with behavioral interventions in college students. My long term goals include personalizing and tailoring behavioral interventions and developing efficient and effective Just in Time Adaptive Interventions to improve primarily eating and exercise behaviors.
Research Summary: My research endeavors all relate to optimizing health behavior change interventions to prevent and manage chronic disease. My work has focused on optimizing efficiency, fidelity, and reach of interventions using web, smartphone, and smartwatch applications. I have a strong interest in collaborative transdisciplinary work that can push the boundaries of knowledge in the realm of behavior change in college age students and adults. As such, my collaborations with other disciplines have lead to new insights in the areas of coping with illness, improving behavioral intervention efficiency in primary care, and revealing patterns of mHealth engagement with behavioral interventions in college students. My long term goals include personalizing and tailoring behavioral interventions and developing efficient and effective Just in Time Adaptive Interventions to improve primarily eating and exercise behaviors.
Akane Sano | PhD
Research Scientist | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research Interest: Stress, Mental Health, Sleep, Affective Computing, Behavioral Change, Preventive Medicine, Ambulatory Monitoring
Research Summary: My research focuses on (1) designing tools and systems for measuring and improving health and wellbeing and preventing diseases and (2) understanding relationships between human behaviors and physiology with health and wellbeing through human data analytics. In particular, I have worked on measuring, understanding and improving sleep, stress and mental wellbeing in relatively healthy population (college students and office workers) exposed high stress and low mental health using ambulatory human sensing with wearable and mobile devices, data analytics and application development that aims to help people to be aware of their behaviors and change their behaviors.
Research Summary: My research focuses on (1) designing tools and systems for measuring and improving health and wellbeing and preventing diseases and (2) understanding relationships between human behaviors and physiology with health and wellbeing through human data analytics. In particular, I have worked on measuring, understanding and improving sleep, stress and mental wellbeing in relatively healthy population (college students and office workers) exposed high stress and low mental health using ambulatory human sensing with wearable and mobile devices, data analytics and application development that aims to help people to be aware of their behaviors and change their behaviors.
Lisa Vizer | PhD
Assistant Professor | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Research Interest: Human-computer interaction, brain health.
Research Summary: I am driven to investigate how brain conditions, diseases, and trauma manifest in changes in technology interaction patterns. To accomplish that, I study the patient-centered ecology of using passively collected behavior data to support patients with brain disorders outside the clinic. My research contributes to a nuanced understanding of how variations in health status influence patterns of interactions with technology. I also explore how we might leverage that insight to improve patient engagement and quality of life by incorporating the patient’s health goals, preferences, and values into the monitoring and feedback processes. Finally, my research examines how to include that feedback in the shared decision making process with providers and caregivers to improve health outcomes. Most rewarding, my participants express enthusiasm about a system affording more control over their cognitive health.
Research Summary: I am driven to investigate how brain conditions, diseases, and trauma manifest in changes in technology interaction patterns. To accomplish that, I study the patient-centered ecology of using passively collected behavior data to support patients with brain disorders outside the clinic. My research contributes to a nuanced understanding of how variations in health status influence patterns of interactions with technology. I also explore how we might leverage that insight to improve patient engagement and quality of life by incorporating the patient’s health goals, preferences, and values into the monitoring and feedback processes. Finally, my research examines how to include that feedback in the shared decision making process with providers and caregivers to improve health outcomes. Most rewarding, my participants express enthusiasm about a system affording more control over their cognitive health.
Jessica Willoughby | PhD
Assistant Professor | Washington State University
Research Interest: Health communication, mHealth, adolescents and young adults
Research Summary: My research focuses on how communication and media can be used to improve the health and wellbeing of adolescents and young adults. I have ongoing research in the areas of how mobile, specifically text message interventions, can be useful for promoting sexual health information and knowledge to adolescents. Additionally, I have done work to assess whether the format in which information is presented on mobile devices may influence health outcomes related to alcohol and casual sexual encounters among young adults. I have also been exploring how mobile devices can be useful for data collection on health topics that address adolescents’ and young adults’ risky behaviors.
Research Summary: My research focuses on how communication and media can be used to improve the health and wellbeing of adolescents and young adults. I have ongoing research in the areas of how mobile, specifically text message interventions, can be useful for promoting sexual health information and knowledge to adolescents. Additionally, I have done work to assess whether the format in which information is presented on mobile devices may influence health outcomes related to alcohol and casual sexual encounters among young adults. I have also been exploring how mobile devices can be useful for data collection on health topics that address adolescents’ and young adults’ risky behaviors.
Ashwin Ashok | PhD
Assistant Professor | Georgia State University
Research Interest: Mobile computing, Wearable systems, Mobile Health, Visible Light Communications, Cloud computing, Computer Vision and Augmented Reality
Research Summary: I am the founding director of the Mobile Cyber-Physical Systems lab at Georgia State University. One of my key research focus is on designing smart mobile systems and applications which can help provide a strong technological foundation to address key challenges in mHealth research. I am particularly interested in designing wearable computing systems and platforms to enable smart sensing and computing interfaces for early detection and diagnosis of medical conditions. I am interested in building mobile systems powered by the interconnectivity of Internet-of-Things (IoT) framework to help early detection and prevention of disease outbreaks. My research integrates hardware and software design and addresses research across a broad spectrum ranging from low-level circuit design to high level software development.
Research Summary: I am the founding director of the Mobile Cyber-Physical Systems lab at Georgia State University. One of my key research focus is on designing smart mobile systems and applications which can help provide a strong technological foundation to address key challenges in mHealth research. I am particularly interested in designing wearable computing systems and platforms to enable smart sensing and computing interfaces for early detection and diagnosis of medical conditions. I am interested in building mobile systems powered by the interconnectivity of Internet-of-Things (IoT) framework to help early detection and prevention of disease outbreaks. My research integrates hardware and software design and addresses research across a broad spectrum ranging from low-level circuit design to high level software development.
Soujanya Chatterjee | PhD
Graduate Research Assistant | University of Memphis
Research Interest: Mobile Health, Data Mining, Predictive Analytics, Ubiquitous Computing.
Research Summary: The focus of my work is to design machine learning based predictive models to inform Just-In-Time-Interventions for smoking cessation, using wearable sensors and smartphone. My research has two components, first is the development of a computational model to infer vulnerable mental state (e.g., urge/craving) that usually precedes a smoking lapse during abstinence. Second, the development of a predictive model based on mobile sensor data (ECG, Respiration, GPS, Accelerometer) to estimate the likelihood of a vulnerable moment for the first smoking lapse, hence facilitate intervention delivery in order to delay or prevent the lapse. My research also includes the detection of first smoking lapse from wrist-based inertial and respiration sensors. I believe that in the near future, real-time prediction and intervention based mHealth system would empower people with more information on their health, thus helping them improve quality of life and well-being.
Research Summary: The focus of my work is to design machine learning based predictive models to inform Just-In-Time-Interventions for smoking cessation, using wearable sensors and smartphone. My research has two components, first is the development of a computational model to infer vulnerable mental state (e.g., urge/craving) that usually precedes a smoking lapse during abstinence. Second, the development of a predictive model based on mobile sensor data (ECG, Respiration, GPS, Accelerometer) to estimate the likelihood of a vulnerable moment for the first smoking lapse, hence facilitate intervention delivery in order to delay or prevent the lapse. My research also includes the detection of first smoking lapse from wrist-based inertial and respiration sensors. I believe that in the near future, real-time prediction and intervention based mHealth system would empower people with more information on their health, thus helping them improve quality of life and well-being.
Shivayogi V. Hiremath | PhD
Assistant Professor | Temple University
Research Interest: Personal Health Informatics, Rehabilitation Engineering, Assistive Technology, Health and Physical Activity, Machine Learning.
Research Summary: As a rehabilitation science researcher with an interest in personal health informatics and rehabilitation engineering my work is highly interdisciplinary. My doctoral training at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh involved studying physical activity patterns of individuals with spinal cord injury, who use manual wheelchairs, towards developing and evaluating a physical activity monitoring system. My postdoctoral training at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh involved studying modulated cortical activity in the primary motor and somatosensory cortices of the brain in individuals with upper limb paralysis. My current research focuses on: 1) studying health and physical activity patterns of people with disabilities in the community through wearable sensors and smartphone-based technologies, and 2) developing and applying novel physical activity monitoring and feedback technology, which when combined with behavioral programs would improve the health and physical activity of people with disabilities.
Research Summary: As a rehabilitation science researcher with an interest in personal health informatics and rehabilitation engineering my work is highly interdisciplinary. My doctoral training at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh involved studying physical activity patterns of individuals with spinal cord injury, who use manual wheelchairs, towards developing and evaluating a physical activity monitoring system. My postdoctoral training at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh involved studying modulated cortical activity in the primary motor and somatosensory cortices of the brain in individuals with upper limb paralysis. My current research focuses on: 1) studying health and physical activity patterns of people with disabilities in the community through wearable sensors and smartphone-based technologies, and 2) developing and applying novel physical activity monitoring and feedback technology, which when combined with behavioral programs would improve the health and physical activity of people with disabilities.
Hyung Nam Kim | PhD
Assistant Professor | North Carolina A&T State University
Research Interest: Wireless Health, Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction
Research Summary: My research focuses on wireless health information technology that is designed based on Human-Computer Interaction and Human Factors design principles to improve the quality of health care systems. I have recently focused on developing a mobile health application to support fathers of premature infants transitioning from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to home. I have also been focusing on developing a user-friendly assistive health technology for older adults with visual impairments. Overall, my current research program is based on user-centered design approaches to facilitate the transitions of care from the hospital to home and the home-based healthcare for aging populations.
Research Summary: My research focuses on wireless health information technology that is designed based on Human-Computer Interaction and Human Factors design principles to improve the quality of health care systems. I have recently focused on developing a mobile health application to support fathers of premature infants transitioning from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to home. I have also been focusing on developing a user-friendly assistive health technology for older adults with visual impairments. Overall, my current research program is based on user-centered design approaches to facilitate the transitions of care from the hospital to home and the home-based healthcare for aging populations.
Carissa Low | PhD
Assistant Professor | University of Pittsburgh
Research Interest: Biobehavioral oncology, technology-supported interventions, patient-reported outcomes.
Research Summary: My research uses mobile and online technology to understand and improve well-being during cancer treatment. Trained as a clinical psychologist, I am particularly interested in developing and testing technology-supported interventions targeting modifiable risk factors such as stress, depression, and sedentary behavior. My NCI-funded Career Development Award aims to develop and test a Just in Time Adaptive Intervention to reduce sedentary behavior before and after cancer surgery. Other ongoing research projects include (1) applying automated language analysis to understand and improve online cancer support communities, (2) using smartphone and wearable sensors to detect fluctuations in stress and symptoms during chemotherapy, and (3) and applying machine learning techniques to smartphone and wearable sensor data to predict readmission risk after cancer surgery.
Research Summary: My research uses mobile and online technology to understand and improve well-being during cancer treatment. Trained as a clinical psychologist, I am particularly interested in developing and testing technology-supported interventions targeting modifiable risk factors such as stress, depression, and sedentary behavior. My NCI-funded Career Development Award aims to develop and test a Just in Time Adaptive Intervention to reduce sedentary behavior before and after cancer surgery. Other ongoing research projects include (1) applying automated language analysis to understand and improve online cancer support communities, (2) using smartphone and wearable sensors to detect fluctuations in stress and symptoms during chemotherapy, and (3) and applying machine learning techniques to smartphone and wearable sensor data to predict readmission risk after cancer surgery.
Leticia Moczygemba | PharmD
Associate Professor | University of Texas at Austin
Research Interest: Health behavior/health disparities, medication use and adherence, health care utilization and costs.
Research Summary: My research program focuses on working with communities and health-systems to develop patient centered interventions to optimize medication-related health outcomes. I have worked to advance the health care of homeless individuals, older adults, and those living in rural areas through the development, implementation, and evaluation of care models that integrate pharmacists with health care teams. I conduct community-engaged research with homeless individuals to develop solutions to improve medication use along the continuum of care, with an emphasis on tailoring mobile health interventions to optimize medication adherence and enhance communication between homeless care providers and patients.
Research Summary: My research program focuses on working with communities and health-systems to develop patient centered interventions to optimize medication-related health outcomes. I have worked to advance the health care of homeless individuals, older adults, and those living in rural areas through the development, implementation, and evaluation of care models that integrate pharmacists with health care teams. I conduct community-engaged research with homeless individuals to develop solutions to improve medication use along the continuum of care, with an emphasis on tailoring mobile health interventions to optimize medication adherence and enhance communication between homeless care providers and patients.
Thomas D. Parsons | PhD
Associate Professor | University of North Texas
Research Interest: Computational neuropsychology, virtual reality, neuroinformatics.
Research Summary: My work integrates neuropsychology, psychophysiology, and simulation technologies for assessment, modeling, and training of neurocognitive and affective processes. I have been PI of 17 funded projects and an investigator on an additional 13 funded projects. In addition to my patents for eHarmony.com's Matching System (U.S. Patent Nos.2004/6735568; 2014/0180942 A1), I have invented and validated virtual reality-based assessments of attention, spatial abilities, memory, and executive functions. I use neural networks and machine learning to model mechanisms underlying reinforcement learning, decision making, working memory, and inhibitory control. I am currently Co-PI (with SoarTech) on a DoD ($998,888) grant that aims to develop an artificially intelligent cognitive architecture for teleneuropsychological assessment of cognitive changes associated with brain injury Testing My contributions to neuropsychology were recognized when I received the 2013 National Academy of Neuropsychology Early Career Achievement award. In 2014, I was awarded Fellow status in the National Academy of Neuropsychology.
Research Summary: My work integrates neuropsychology, psychophysiology, and simulation technologies for assessment, modeling, and training of neurocognitive and affective processes. I have been PI of 17 funded projects and an investigator on an additional 13 funded projects. In addition to my patents for eHarmony.com's Matching System (U.S. Patent Nos.2004/6735568; 2014/0180942 A1), I have invented and validated virtual reality-based assessments of attention, spatial abilities, memory, and executive functions. I use neural networks and machine learning to model mechanisms underlying reinforcement learning, decision making, working memory, and inhibitory control. I am currently Co-PI (with SoarTech) on a DoD ($998,888) grant that aims to develop an artificially intelligent cognitive architecture for teleneuropsychological assessment of cognitive changes associated with brain injury Testing My contributions to neuropsychology were recognized when I received the 2013 National Academy of Neuropsychology Early Career Achievement award. In 2014, I was awarded Fellow status in the National Academy of Neuropsychology.
Valerie Press | MD, MPH
Assistant Professor | University of Chicago
Research Interest: Health services research, patient self-management, chronic disease.
Research Summary: My primary area of focus has been to test, implement, and disseminate interventions to improve self-management skills for hospitalized patients with asthma and COPD to improve their symptom control and avoid re-hospitalization. I developed a virtual Teach-To-Goal (V-TTG) learning module for effective respiratory inhaler technique. V-TTG aims to be a portable, cost-effective, easy to use, multi-use intervention. V-TTG uses adaptive learning technology to meet patient’s needs, is designed for multiple sessions and care transitions, and is tailored by and for minority patients with asthma or COPD. I have shown that V-TTG reduces inhaler misuse among inpatients. My long-term goal is to optimize the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care, to support patients during and after hospitalization to have improved quality of life, decrease symptoms, and avoid unnecessary acute care utilization, through the development of innovative patient-level and system-level interventions.
Research Summary: My primary area of focus has been to test, implement, and disseminate interventions to improve self-management skills for hospitalized patients with asthma and COPD to improve their symptom control and avoid re-hospitalization. I developed a virtual Teach-To-Goal (V-TTG) learning module for effective respiratory inhaler technique. V-TTG aims to be a portable, cost-effective, easy to use, multi-use intervention. V-TTG uses adaptive learning technology to meet patient’s needs, is designed for multiple sessions and care transitions, and is tailored by and for minority patients with asthma or COPD. I have shown that V-TTG reduces inhaler misuse among inpatients. My long-term goal is to optimize the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care, to support patients during and after hospitalization to have improved quality of life, decrease symptoms, and avoid unnecessary acute care utilization, through the development of innovative patient-level and system-level interventions.
Angela Smith | MD, MS
Assistant Professor | University of North Carolina
Research Interest: mHealth, patient-reported outcomes.
Research Summary: My research focuses on developing mHealth tools to improve post-surgical care in oncology. The goal of this research is to identify and rapidly address symptoms associated with post-surgical readmissions. I plan to use cystectomy as a model to develop and pilot test an electronic, internet-based mHealth tool that can prospectively collect patient-reported outcomes data on key symptoms while providing timely feedback to patients and clinicians. The next phase of research will consist of usability testing, determining methods of information delivery, and a pilot study to address feasibility and acceptability.
Research Summary: My research focuses on developing mHealth tools to improve post-surgical care in oncology. The goal of this research is to identify and rapidly address symptoms associated with post-surgical readmissions. I plan to use cystectomy as a model to develop and pilot test an electronic, internet-based mHealth tool that can prospectively collect patient-reported outcomes data on key symptoms while providing timely feedback to patients and clinicians. The next phase of research will consist of usability testing, determining methods of information delivery, and a pilot study to address feasibility and acceptability.
Noreen Watson | PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Research Interest: Cigarette smoking; risky health behaviors; co-occurring mental health disorders; human-centered design and research; mHealth interventions.
Research Summary: I am interested in improving the acceptability, reach, and effectiveness of behavioral health interventions to improve health behaviors and mental health. My work to date includes two primary themes: (1) cognitive-affective mechanisms by which social anxiety and other mental health conditions contribute to the onset, maintenance, and relapse of cigarette smoking; and (2) translating this basic risk-factor research to inform the development and evaluation of technology-based interventions for smokers with and without co-occurring mental health conditions. As part of my NIDA-funded F32 Individual Fellowship, I am currently working to develop a web-based intervention targeted to address the needs of socially anxious smokers using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In collaboration with my mentors, I am also involved in a number of other mHealth projects including developing and testing smoking cessation smartphone apps based in ACT for the general population of smokers as well as smokers diagnosed with cancer.
Research Summary: I am interested in improving the acceptability, reach, and effectiveness of behavioral health interventions to improve health behaviors and mental health. My work to date includes two primary themes: (1) cognitive-affective mechanisms by which social anxiety and other mental health conditions contribute to the onset, maintenance, and relapse of cigarette smoking; and (2) translating this basic risk-factor research to inform the development and evaluation of technology-based interventions for smokers with and without co-occurring mental health conditions. As part of my NIDA-funded F32 Individual Fellowship, I am currently working to develop a web-based intervention targeted to address the needs of socially anxious smokers using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In collaboration with my mentors, I am also involved in a number of other mHealth projects including developing and testing smoking cessation smartphone apps based in ACT for the general population of smokers as well as smokers diagnosed with cancer.
Mi Zhang | PhD
Assistant Professor | Michigan State University
Research Interest: Mobile health, mobile sensing systems, wearable systems, Internet of Things, ubiquitous computing, machine learning
Research Summary: My research focuses on designing and developing mobile and wearable sensor-based smart health systems for human behavior and vital sign monitoring as well as just-in-time intervention delivery. My recent research efforts include 1) smartphone-based pill recognition system; 2) smartphone-based behavioral sensing and analytics systems for depression diagnosis and treatment; 3) wearable sensor-based human behavior and physiological signal monitoring and analytics; and 4) intelligent ambient sensing system for indoor air pollution monitoring and analytics.
Research Summary: My research focuses on designing and developing mobile and wearable sensor-based smart health systems for human behavior and vital sign monitoring as well as just-in-time intervention delivery. My recent research efforts include 1) smartphone-based pill recognition system; 2) smartphone-based behavioral sensing and analytics systems for depression diagnosis and treatment; 3) wearable sensor-based human behavior and physiological signal monitoring and analytics; and 4) intelligent ambient sensing system for indoor air pollution monitoring and analytics.
Ryan Bailey | PhD, OTR/L
Postdoctoral Fellow | Washington University in St. Louis
Research Interest: Secondary stroke prevention through lifestyle behavior modification, mobile health interventions, behavior change, physical activity.
Research Summary: My research focuses on modifying lifestyle behaviors (e.g. physical activity, diet, sleep) to reduce risk for recurrent stroke and cardiometabolic disease in stroke survivors. Interventions utilize behavior change strategies, including self-regulation using mobile health technologies, to help individuals modify existing habits and routines and to set and achieve personalized goals. At present, I am adapting a health coach-delivered employee wellness intervention for people with mild stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Research Summary: My research focuses on modifying lifestyle behaviors (e.g. physical activity, diet, sleep) to reduce risk for recurrent stroke and cardiometabolic disease in stroke survivors. Interventions utilize behavior change strategies, including self-regulation using mobile health technologies, to help individuals modify existing habits and routines and to set and achieve personalized goals. At present, I am adapting a health coach-delivered employee wellness intervention for people with mild stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Laura Damschroder | MS, MPH
Research Investigator | VA Ann Arbor Center
Research Interest: Dissemination and implementation, prevention
Research Summary: My research interests are in the field of implementation science, especially applied to lifestyle change programs, and applying theory using mixed methods approaches. I have led multiple projects to design and evaluate organizational interventions, develop decision support systems, and realign incentives in health service organizations. One current project uses a multi-media virtual coaching program to empower frontline staff to make program changes in the context of constrained time and resources. This program was designed based on formative evaluations of teams who lead weight management programs that are available in over 600 medical centers within the Veterans Healthcare Administration. Another project aims to promote physical activity among younger Veterans using a Fitbit device with personalized goals, motivational messages, and telephone-based coaching. Together, these initiatives aim to increase access to a diverse array of effective interventions that match patient needs and preferences, and ultimately to reduce risk of disease.
Research Summary: My research interests are in the field of implementation science, especially applied to lifestyle change programs, and applying theory using mixed methods approaches. I have led multiple projects to design and evaluate organizational interventions, develop decision support systems, and realign incentives in health service organizations. One current project uses a multi-media virtual coaching program to empower frontline staff to make program changes in the context of constrained time and resources. This program was designed based on formative evaluations of teams who lead weight management programs that are available in over 600 medical centers within the Veterans Healthcare Administration. Another project aims to promote physical activity among younger Veterans using a Fitbit device with personalized goals, motivational messages, and telephone-based coaching. Together, these initiatives aim to increase access to a diverse array of effective interventions that match patient needs and preferences, and ultimately to reduce risk of disease.
Sarah J. Iribarren | PhD, RN
Assistant Professor | University of Washington
Research Interest: Tuberculosis, treatment adherence support, global health, user-centered design principles.
Research Summary: My research focuses on development of interventions, suitable for the emerging economies of the world that facilitate self-management of health and prevent disease. The goal is to incorporate behavioral theory principles to develop supportive mHealth systems that are convenient for the individual patient and improve continuity of care and case management for the healthcare team. I have ongoing research in developing mobile tools to support patients with active tuberculosis treatment who receive treatment by self-administration. I aim to gain expertise in user-centered design and clinical informatics to convert and refine a texting-based intervention to a mobile optimized application. One expanded functionality aim is to incorporate direct treatment adherence monitoring using drug metabolite testing and mobile phone imagine analysis to ensure treatment adherence. The ultimate goal is to plan for a sustainable, scalable intervention that is easily adaptable to various settings, meets end-user needs, and will be tested for effectiveness and efficacy.
Research Summary: My research focuses on development of interventions, suitable for the emerging economies of the world that facilitate self-management of health and prevent disease. The goal is to incorporate behavioral theory principles to develop supportive mHealth systems that are convenient for the individual patient and improve continuity of care and case management for the healthcare team. I have ongoing research in developing mobile tools to support patients with active tuberculosis treatment who receive treatment by self-administration. I aim to gain expertise in user-centered design and clinical informatics to convert and refine a texting-based intervention to a mobile optimized application. One expanded functionality aim is to incorporate direct treatment adherence monitoring using drug metabolite testing and mobile phone imagine analysis to ensure treatment adherence. The ultimate goal is to plan for a sustainable, scalable intervention that is easily adaptable to various settings, meets end-user needs, and will be tested for effectiveness and efficacy.
Yun Jiang | PhD, MS, RN
Research Fellow | University of Michigan
Research Interest: Consumer health informatics, cancer survivorship, medication self-management, natural language processing, and machine learning
Research Summary: My research focuses on data- and informatics-driven solutions for chronic disease self-management, with an emphasis on medication and symptom management in cancer patients and families. My current study is to explore complex relationships among medication adherence, the development and severity of side effects, and self-management strategies, and to build a conceptual knowledge model to support the development of technology based interventions that empower and engage cancer patients and families in self-management of oral anticancer agents and associated toxicities. I have also interests in knowledge extraction and representation from patient-generated data and electronic medical records. Another project I am working on is to identify factors associated with cancer patients’ self-reporting of symptoms and toxicities using free-text mining and machine learning techniques.
Research Summary: My research focuses on data- and informatics-driven solutions for chronic disease self-management, with an emphasis on medication and symptom management in cancer patients and families. My current study is to explore complex relationships among medication adherence, the development and severity of side effects, and self-management strategies, and to build a conceptual knowledge model to support the development of technology based interventions that empower and engage cancer patients and families in self-management of oral anticancer agents and associated toxicities. I have also interests in knowledge extraction and representation from patient-generated data and electronic medical records. Another project I am working on is to identify factors associated with cancer patients’ self-reporting of symptoms and toxicities using free-text mining and machine learning techniques.
Mitchell R. Lunn | MD, MAS, FASN
Assistant Professor | University of California, San Francisco
Research Interest: Sexual and gender minority health, health disparities, remote data capture, digital community engagement
Research Summary: My research focuses on using current and emerging technologies to reach, engage, and retain vulnerable and underserved populations in clinical research in order to better understand the factors that influence their physical, mental, and social health. I have ongoing research in (i) sexual and gender minority health and (ii) patient-performed kidney disease biomarker testing. I co-direct a national, digital, longitudinal cohort study of sexual and gender minorities (The PRIDE Study, www.pridestudy.org) that engages potential participants through a community-engaged network (PRIDEnet) of nearly 40 sexual and gender minority-serving organizations across the country. I also conduct studies to assess the feasibility and accuracy of novel devices (fingerstick creatinine and image-based albumin-to-creatinine ratio) in measuring kidney dysfunction among a typical kidney disease sample.
Research Summary: My research focuses on using current and emerging technologies to reach, engage, and retain vulnerable and underserved populations in clinical research in order to better understand the factors that influence their physical, mental, and social health. I have ongoing research in (i) sexual and gender minority health and (ii) patient-performed kidney disease biomarker testing. I co-direct a national, digital, longitudinal cohort study of sexual and gender minorities (The PRIDE Study, www.pridestudy.org) that engages potential participants through a community-engaged network (PRIDEnet) of nearly 40 sexual and gender minority-serving organizations across the country. I also conduct studies to assess the feasibility and accuracy of novel devices (fingerstick creatinine and image-based albumin-to-creatinine ratio) in measuring kidney dysfunction among a typical kidney disease sample.
Courtney Monroe | PhD
Assistant Professor | University of South Carolina
Research Interest: eHealth- and mHealth-based physical activity promotion and obesity control; social support and social networks for health behavior change.
Research Summary: My research focuses on (1) how to best leverage technologies to effectively promote and measure physical activity, as well as to effectively deliver behavioral weight control in adults and (2) how to best harness the influence of social support and social networks for these purposes. I have conducted randomized controlled trials, creatively applying technologies as delivery mediums and assessment tools for evidence-based, multicomponent physical activity and weight control interventions (including advanced mobile and wireless technologies, such as smartphone apps, wearables, and smart body weight scales). I have also evaluated the efficacy of innovative, social support strategies for enhancing physical activity and weight loss outcomes. My current research initiatives focus on formative evaluations and the continued design, implementation, and analysis of interventions within the aforementioned contexts.
Research Summary: My research focuses on (1) how to best leverage technologies to effectively promote and measure physical activity, as well as to effectively deliver behavioral weight control in adults and (2) how to best harness the influence of social support and social networks for these purposes. I have conducted randomized controlled trials, creatively applying technologies as delivery mediums and assessment tools for evidence-based, multicomponent physical activity and weight control interventions (including advanced mobile and wireless technologies, such as smartphone apps, wearables, and smart body weight scales). I have also evaluated the efficacy of innovative, social support strategies for enhancing physical activity and weight loss outcomes. My current research initiatives focus on formative evaluations and the continued design, implementation, and analysis of interventions within the aforementioned contexts.
Shaun Patel | PhD, MA
Research Fellow | Harvard Medical School
Research Interest: Neuroscience, neurotechnology, bioinformatics, entrepreneurship
Research Summary: My primary research interests are at the intersection of neuroscience, genomics, and applied mathematics. More recently, I have also become interested in exploring the role of mobile platform applications in the context of personalized medicine and diagnostics.
Research Summary: My primary research interests are at the intersection of neuroscience, genomics, and applied mathematics. More recently, I have also become interested in exploring the role of mobile platform applications in the context of personalized medicine and diagnostics.
Nazir Saleheen | PhD Student
Graduate Research Assistant | University of Memphis
Research Interest: Leveraging mobile sensing and ubiquitous computing technologies, my research focuses on reliable and responsible detection of health behaviors using wearable sensors in a mobile environment, with specific focus on scalable computational methods and privacy-preserving approaches.
Research Summary: I led the development of a computational model for detecting smoking lapse from respiration signal and wrist worn inertial sensor. This model has been independently validated in a field study with 61 daily smokers over more than 3000 hours of respiration and wrist-worn inertial sensor data to detect first lapse. I have implemented this model in a mobile platform that has been using in several smoking cessation studies. My second major contribution is a new model of differential behavior privacy that provides a method to preserving behavioral privacy in mHealth field studies that collect physiological sensor data. I am currently leading an investigation of brushing and flossing detection from wrist gestures. I am working on developing a single wrist based model that can detect different health behaviors (i.e., smoking, eating, brushing, and flossing) only using wrist worn inertial sensors.
Research Summary: I led the development of a computational model for detecting smoking lapse from respiration signal and wrist worn inertial sensor. This model has been independently validated in a field study with 61 daily smokers over more than 3000 hours of respiration and wrist-worn inertial sensor data to detect first lapse. I have implemented this model in a mobile platform that has been using in several smoking cessation studies. My second major contribution is a new model of differential behavior privacy that provides a method to preserving behavioral privacy in mHealth field studies that collect physiological sensor data. I am currently leading an investigation of brushing and flossing detection from wrist gestures. I am working on developing a single wrist based model that can detect different health behaviors (i.e., smoking, eating, brushing, and flossing) only using wrist worn inertial sensors.
Monica H. Swahn | PhD, MPH
Distinguished Professor | Georgia State University
Research Interest: Health-risk behaviors related to alcohol, violence and HIV, among youth and young adults.
Research Summary: My main interest is to examine individual as well as structural risk factors for alcohol, violence and HIV, particularly among vulnerable youth and young adults. For this Institute, my main goal is incorporate mobile phones to collect daily diaries of alcohol intake and alcohol marketing exposures to assess the specific timing and nature of alcohol consumption patterns and risk for injuries and HIV transmission among vulnerable youth in the slums of Uganda. Additionally, I would like to explore the use of transdermal ethanol sensors in a subset of the youth as a strategy to validate self-reported alcohol use. This validation step could also further provide some quantification of the likely under reporting of alcohol use, particularly in terms of larger alcohol quantities consumed.
Research Summary: My main interest is to examine individual as well as structural risk factors for alcohol, violence and HIV, particularly among vulnerable youth and young adults. For this Institute, my main goal is incorporate mobile phones to collect daily diaries of alcohol intake and alcohol marketing exposures to assess the specific timing and nature of alcohol consumption patterns and risk for injuries and HIV transmission among vulnerable youth in the slums of Uganda. Additionally, I would like to explore the use of transdermal ethanol sensors in a subset of the youth as a strategy to validate self-reported alcohol use. This validation step could also further provide some quantification of the likely under reporting of alcohol use, particularly in terms of larger alcohol quantities consumed.
R. Jay Widmer | MD, PhD
Interventional Cardiology Fellow | Mayo Clinic
Research Interest: Digital and mobile health as well as the impact of social media on medicine.
Research Summary: Jay achieved his undergraduate work at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX and his combined MD/PhD at Texas A&M Health Sciences Center in 2009. Jay completed his Internal Medicine Training in June of 2012, and an ABIM-sponsored clinical investigator program affiliated with Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship in June of 2016. His research interests in digital and mobile health as well as the impact of social media on medicine have included research presentations across the US. This work included findings supporting digital health to reduce re-hospitalizations at numerous national conferences, as well as the beneficial impact of social media in academic medicine. After pioneering the Mayo Clinic CV Twitter account, he maintains an active influence on the account, its presence, and its research endeavors. He continues to work on randomized trials and systematic reviews involving digital/mobile health, social media, and maintain his primary clinical interest in coronary physiology while working through his clinical training in interventional cardiology.
Research Summary: Jay achieved his undergraduate work at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX and his combined MD/PhD at Texas A&M Health Sciences Center in 2009. Jay completed his Internal Medicine Training in June of 2012, and an ABIM-sponsored clinical investigator program affiliated with Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship in June of 2016. His research interests in digital and mobile health as well as the impact of social media on medicine have included research presentations across the US. This work included findings supporting digital health to reduce re-hospitalizations at numerous national conferences, as well as the beneficial impact of social media in academic medicine. After pioneering the Mayo Clinic CV Twitter account, he maintains an active influence on the account, its presence, and its research endeavors. He continues to work on randomized trials and systematic reviews involving digital/mobile health, social media, and maintain his primary clinical interest in coronary physiology while working through his clinical training in interventional cardiology.
Wenlong Zhang | PhD
Assistant Professor | Arizona State University
Research Interest: Wearable sensors and robotics, feedback control systems, statistical learning.
Research Summary: My research focuses on development of wearable sensors and robotics for various healthcare applications. The goal of my research is to 1) develop and fabrication of low-cost sensors, robotics, and biofeedback devices for daily health monitoring and disease diagnosis, and 2) develop feedback control and statistical models to understand human reactions to the medical devices and allow precision medicine. My ongoing research project includes design of a smart and connected medical network with shoe-embedded sensors, visual and tactile feedback devices, and ankle/knee robotics for in-home gait analysis and rehabilitation. The developed sensors and biofeedback devices have been tested on patients with stroke and Parkinson’s disease.
Research Summary: My research focuses on development of wearable sensors and robotics for various healthcare applications. The goal of my research is to 1) develop and fabrication of low-cost sensors, robotics, and biofeedback devices for daily health monitoring and disease diagnosis, and 2) develop feedback control and statistical models to understand human reactions to the medical devices and allow precision medicine. My ongoing research project includes design of a smart and connected medical network with shoe-embedded sensors, visual and tactile feedback devices, and ankle/knee robotics for in-home gait analysis and rehabilitation. The developed sensors and biofeedback devices have been tested on patients with stroke and Parkinson’s disease.
