Search
Advancing the Next Generation
Meet Our
2018 Scholars
Nabil Alshurafa | PhD
Assistant Professor | Northwestern
Research Interest: Passive sensing data analytics, mobile health, behavioral medicine and embedded systems.
Research Summary: I am an Infectious Disease clinician with focused training in HIV medicine, epidemiology, and outcomes research. I am committed to optimizing clinical outcomes for marginalized HIV patients and have focused my efforts on implementation research in Sub-Saharan Africa. I have successfully established collaborations with NGOs in South Africa and Nigeria to consider measures to assess the quality of HIV care in these settings. More recently, I have collaborated with the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria to launch the Care4Life program, focused on studying predictors of poor engagement in care, and developing interventions to optimize HIV care utilization. I have particular interest in key vulnerable populations including adolescents and young adults living with HIV In the US and in resource-limited settings.
Research Summary: I am an Infectious Disease clinician with focused training in HIV medicine, epidemiology, and outcomes research. I am committed to optimizing clinical outcomes for marginalized HIV patients and have focused my efforts on implementation research in Sub-Saharan Africa. I have successfully established collaborations with NGOs in South Africa and Nigeria to consider measures to assess the quality of HIV care in these settings. More recently, I have collaborated with the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria to launch the Care4Life program, focused on studying predictors of poor engagement in care, and developing interventions to optimize HIV care utilization. I have particular interest in key vulnerable populations including adolescents and young adults living with HIV In the US and in resource-limited settings.
Nick Bott | PsyD
Chief Science Officer | Stanford University
Research Interest: Multimodal Cognitive Phenotyping, Computational Neuropsychology, Digital Health
Research Summary: My work integrates eye tracking, natural language processing, psychophysiology and neuropsychological test development for the development of sensitive and efficient multimodal cognitive and affective phenotypic. I have served as an investigator and PI on numerous research projects. I have developed and validated multimodal assessment of cognition and emotion across a number of domains including episodic memory, working memory, attention and processing speed, visuospatial functioning, and fluid reasoning. My work in task development has resulted in multiple awarded and pending patents. In addition to item response theory and computer adaptive testing my work utilizes a number of machine learning techniques to model and predict eye gaze position and spoken language comprehension.
Research Summary: My work integrates eye tracking, natural language processing, psychophysiology and neuropsychological test development for the development of sensitive and efficient multimodal cognitive and affective phenotypic. I have served as an investigator and PI on numerous research projects. I have developed and validated multimodal assessment of cognition and emotion across a number of domains including episodic memory, working memory, attention and processing speed, visuospatial functioning, and fluid reasoning. My work in task development has resulted in multiple awarded and pending patents. In addition to item response theory and computer adaptive testing my work utilizes a number of machine learning techniques to model and predict eye gaze position and spoken language comprehension.
Sitaramesh Emani | MD
Director of Heart Failure Research | Wexner Medical Center
Research Interest: Remote monitoring of heart failure patients, predictive analysis to identify high-risk patients, mechanical circulatory support
Research Summary: I am actively engaged in several research projects aimed at improving the monitoring and delivery of therapies to heart failure patients. Included are projects that use sensor technologies to remotely monitor physiologic parameters of heart failure patients so that timely interventions can be made to their medical therapies. In doing so, this may prevent crisis situations requiring hospitalizations or emergent surgical procedures. Expanding upon this, I am also investigating the integration of data sources to recognize patterns that will identify high risk patients before they become "too sick."
Research Summary: I am actively engaged in several research projects aimed at improving the monitoring and delivery of therapies to heart failure patients. Included are projects that use sensor technologies to remotely monitor physiologic parameters of heart failure patients so that timely interventions can be made to their medical therapies. In doing so, this may prevent crisis situations requiring hospitalizations or emergent surgical procedures. Expanding upon this, I am also investigating the integration of data sources to recognize patterns that will identify high risk patients before they become "too sick."
Todd Giorgio | PhD
Professor | Vanderbilt University
Research Interest: The intersection of biomaterials, nanotechnology and immunology
Research Summary: My research interests include a focus on the intersection of biomaterials, nanotechnology and immunology. My interests include teaching wearable technologies in an interdisciplinary context, developing communities to design the next generation of wearables and devices that provide actionable analytics on energy intake and energy expenditure. One goal is to integrate academic and industrial/entrepreneurial communities at the intersection of wearable technologies. I would like to develop courses appropriate for a wide range of learners focused on the technology, usability/compliance and actionable utility of wearables. From a research interest perspective, I am interested in exploring how wearables can monitor normal and dysregulated metabolism as a tool for managing body weight.
Research Summary: My research interests include a focus on the intersection of biomaterials, nanotechnology and immunology. My interests include teaching wearable technologies in an interdisciplinary context, developing communities to design the next generation of wearables and devices that provide actionable analytics on energy intake and energy expenditure. One goal is to integrate academic and industrial/entrepreneurial communities at the intersection of wearable technologies. I would like to develop courses appropriate for a wide range of learners focused on the technology, usability/compliance and actionable utility of wearables. From a research interest perspective, I am interested in exploring how wearables can monitor normal and dysregulated metabolism as a tool for managing body weight.
Andrea Graham | PhD
Assistant Professor | Northwestern University
Research Interest: Digital technology in healthcare
Research Summary: Andrea Graham, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and health services researcher whose work aims to increase access to high-quality care for individuals with obesity and eating disorders using scalable behavioral interventions. Her program of research focuses on evaluating the use of digital technologies to increase access to care and studying factors such as cost-effectiveness that impact implementation of interventions in practice. As of April 2018, Dr. Graham is Assistant Professor in the Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Department of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University.
Research Summary: Andrea Graham, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and health services researcher whose work aims to increase access to high-quality care for individuals with obesity and eating disorders using scalable behavioral interventions. Her program of research focuses on evaluating the use of digital technologies to increase access to care and studying factors such as cost-effectiveness that impact implementation of interventions in practice. As of April 2018, Dr. Graham is Assistant Professor in the Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Department of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University.
Angela J. Jacques-Tiura | PhD
Assistant Professor | Wayne State University
Research Interest: Sexual violence victimization and perpetration, alcohol use, addictive behaviors
Research Summary: My primary research program focuses on explicating the social, situational, and personality/individual difference factors associated with men's sexual assault perpetration and women's health and well-being following a sexual assault experience. Alcohol consumption is one factor that can influence cognitions before an assault, can impact the course of an assault event, can affect perceptions of an assault, and can become problematic after an assault. Likewise, food can be an addictive substance that some women may turn to in the aftermath of an assault. I am currently working on translating my basic behavioral research findings into an mHealth intervention for sexual/dating violence survivors engaging in heavy drinking and loss-of-control eating.
Research Summary: My primary research program focuses on explicating the social, situational, and personality/individual difference factors associated with men's sexual assault perpetration and women's health and well-being following a sexual assault experience. Alcohol consumption is one factor that can influence cognitions before an assault, can impact the course of an assault event, can affect perceptions of an assault, and can become problematic after an assault. Likewise, food can be an addictive substance that some women may turn to in the aftermath of an assault. I am currently working on translating my basic behavioral research findings into an mHealth intervention for sexual/dating violence survivors engaging in heavy drinking and loss-of-control eating.
Jennifer E Merrill | PhD
Assistant Professor | Brown University
Research Interest: Young adult alcohol misuse, alcohol consequences, mHealth, intervention
Research Summary: My primary research interests lie in investigating the etiology and consequences of alcohol misuse among young adults, with a particular interest in the subjective evaluation of alcohol-related consequences. Using ecological momentary assessment, I am currently examining the impact that event-level alcohol-related consequences have on subsequent drinking decisions among heavy drinking college students. I also collaborate on a study involving the delivery of alcohol norms information via text message to college student drinkers. I have current interests in qualitative methods, ecological momentary assessment, advanced data analysis, and intervention development.
Research Summary: My primary research interests lie in investigating the etiology and consequences of alcohol misuse among young adults, with a particular interest in the subjective evaluation of alcohol-related consequences. Using ecological momentary assessment, I am currently examining the impact that event-level alcohol-related consequences have on subsequent drinking decisions among heavy drinking college students. I also collaborate on a study involving the delivery of alcohol norms information via text message to college student drinkers. I have current interests in qualitative methods, ecological momentary assessment, advanced data analysis, and intervention development.
Andrea N. Niles | PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow | San Francisco VAMC & UCSF
Research Interest: Personalized medicine, digital mental health, anxiety
Research Summary: Dr. Niles completed her PhD at UCLA in Clinical Psychology under the mentorship of Drs. Michelle Craske and Annette Stanton. She also completed minor concentrations in health and quantitative psychology and, as a graduate student, worked as a statistical consultant with the Institute for Digital Research and Education at UCLA. Her research interests fall into two broad categories. First, she aims to improve access to and effectiveness of anxiety- and trauma-related disorder treatment through identification and experimental manipulation of treatment mechanisms, personalized medicine, and digital mental health. Second, she aims to better understand the overlap between psychological and medical illness with a focus on biological mechanisms of anxiety that increase risk for diseases of aging.
Research Summary: Dr. Niles completed her PhD at UCLA in Clinical Psychology under the mentorship of Drs. Michelle Craske and Annette Stanton. She also completed minor concentrations in health and quantitative psychology and, as a graduate student, worked as a statistical consultant with the Institute for Digital Research and Education at UCLA. Her research interests fall into two broad categories. First, she aims to improve access to and effectiveness of anxiety- and trauma-related disorder treatment through identification and experimental manipulation of treatment mechanisms, personalized medicine, and digital mental health. Second, she aims to better understand the overlap between psychological and medical illness with a focus on biological mechanisms of anxiety that increase risk for diseases of aging.
Jay G. Ronquillo | MD, MPH, MMSc
Assistant Professor | Western Michigan University
Research Interest: Biomedical informatics, health IT, mobile health, and precision medicine
Research Summary: Jay G. Ronquillo, MD, MPH, MMSc, MEng is an Assistant Professor, Biomedical Informatics at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed). He received his BS and MEng in Electrical/Computer Engineering from Cornell University, Post-Baccalaureate training from the University of Pennsylvania, MD from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, MPH in Quantitative Methods from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Master of Medical Sciences in Biomedical Informatics from Harvard Medical School, and completed a Fellowship in Biomedical Informatics at Massachusetts General Hospital. At WMed, Dr. Ronquillo works directly with the program chairs to educate and mentor medical students about biomedical informatics, helped create the medical school's first ever graduate program in clinical informatics, and perform biomedical informatics research intersecting health IT, mobile health, and precision medicine.
Research Summary: Jay G. Ronquillo, MD, MPH, MMSc, MEng is an Assistant Professor, Biomedical Informatics at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed). He received his BS and MEng in Electrical/Computer Engineering from Cornell University, Post-Baccalaureate training from the University of Pennsylvania, MD from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, MPH in Quantitative Methods from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Master of Medical Sciences in Biomedical Informatics from Harvard Medical School, and completed a Fellowship in Biomedical Informatics at Massachusetts General Hospital. At WMed, Dr. Ronquillo works directly with the program chairs to educate and mentor medical students about biomedical informatics, helped create the medical school's first ever graduate program in clinical informatics, and perform biomedical informatics research intersecting health IT, mobile health, and precision medicine.
Chad Stecher | PhD
Assistant Professor | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Research Interest: Health Economics, Behavioral Economics, and Social Networks Analysis
Research Summary: My research broadly focuses on topics in behavioral health economics. To date, I have employed methods from social network analysis and behavioral economics to study both physicians' and patients' adherence to treatment guidelines. Domestically, this research employs large administrative health datasets to estimate physicians' professional networks and identify the influence of professional peers on physicians' treatment practices. In the development context, my research investigates patients' medication adherence behavior. Specifically, I use behavioral economic theory to inform health interventions designed to promote greater antiretroviral medication adherence among HIV-positive patients in Uganda. Future planned research in this setting will incorporate new theory regarding the psychology of habit formation to foster more persistent behavioral improvements.
Research Summary: My research broadly focuses on topics in behavioral health economics. To date, I have employed methods from social network analysis and behavioral economics to study both physicians' and patients' adherence to treatment guidelines. Domestically, this research employs large administrative health datasets to estimate physicians' professional networks and identify the influence of professional peers on physicians' treatment practices. In the development context, my research investigates patients' medication adherence behavior. Specifically, I use behavioral economic theory to inform health interventions designed to promote greater antiretroviral medication adherence among HIV-positive patients in Uganda. Future planned research in this setting will incorporate new theory regarding the psychology of habit formation to foster more persistent behavioral improvements.
Nabil Alshurafa | PhD
Senior Research Fellow | Orygen, University of Melbourne
Research Interest: Human-Centered Design, Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Youth Mental Health
Research Summary: Alshurafa currently heads the Northwestern HAbits Lab-The Health Aware bits Lab-which combines research in preventive medicine and computer science. His research focuses on testing and advancing the limits of mobile sensing in understanding and improving people's habits of eating, physical activity and sleep targeting populations with obesity, stress, and most recently cancer.
Research Summary: Alshurafa currently heads the Northwestern HAbits Lab-The Health Aware bits Lab-which combines research in preventive medicine and computer science. His research focuses on testing and advancing the limits of mobile sensing in understanding and improving people's habits of eating, physical activity and sleep targeting populations with obesity, stress, and most recently cancer.
Thomas Chong | MD, MS
Clinical Informatics & Surgical Pathology Fellow | UCLA
Research Interest: Digital pathology, pathology image pattern classification, clinical decision support (CDS), health record interoperability
Research Summary: Currently, I’ve been working on making incremental progress in several pathology informatics-related application areas. My project involvement has been in clinical decision support methods to reduce lab test mis-orders by clinicians, in health record interoperability and data standardization by defining, validating, and maintaining LOINC assignments to lab tests, digital pathology workflows, and in defining interface requirements between medical records and pathology slide image systems. My near-term goal is to continue along the same track as a facilitator between clinical providers and technologists/data scientists.
Research Summary: Currently, I’ve been working on making incremental progress in several pathology informatics-related application areas. My project involvement has been in clinical decision support methods to reduce lab test mis-orders by clinicians, in health record interoperability and data standardization by defining, validating, and maintaining LOINC assignments to lab tests, digital pathology workflows, and in defining interface requirements between medical records and pathology slide image systems. My near-term goal is to continue along the same track as a facilitator between clinical providers and technologists/data scientists.
Szymon Fedor | PhD
Research Scientist | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research Interest: Depression diagnosis and prevention using wearables and mobile phones, Ecological Momentary Intervention for Depression
Research Summary: Szymon Fedor is a Research Scientist at the MIT Media Lab. He has 15 years’ experience in research related to network and mobile technology, Internet of Things, Machine Learning and Biomedical Engineering, both in industry and academia. His current research is focused on preventing, diagnosing and monitoring depression using wearable technologies. He leads several collaborative projects with Harvard and the prominent hospitals in Boston area. Prior to his current appointment, he carried out research at the University of Cambridge and MIT under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellowship. He also worked at Ericsson and United Technologies Research Center, contributing to commercial solutions. He holds a M.Sc. in Telecommunications with First Class Honours and a Ph.D. in Computer Science. He published a book, a book chapter and over 20 papers in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. He also holds seven patents.
Research Summary: Szymon Fedor is a Research Scientist at the MIT Media Lab. He has 15 years’ experience in research related to network and mobile technology, Internet of Things, Machine Learning and Biomedical Engineering, both in industry and academia. His current research is focused on preventing, diagnosing and monitoring depression using wearable technologies. He leads several collaborative projects with Harvard and the prominent hospitals in Boston area. Prior to his current appointment, he carried out research at the University of Cambridge and MIT under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellowship. He also worked at Ericsson and United Technologies Research Center, contributing to commercial solutions. He holds a M.Sc. in Telecommunications with First Class Honours and a Ph.D. in Computer Science. He published a book, a book chapter and over 20 papers in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. He also holds seven patents.
Carly M. Goldstein | PhD
Assistant Research Professor | Miriam Hospital
Research Interest: Cardiovascular disease and rehabilitation, obesity, medically-complex patients, treatment optimization, dissemination and implementation
Research Summary: My research targets prevention, secondary prevention, and interventions for cardiovascular disease and obesity using novel methodological approaches. I am interested in helping cardiovascular disease patients lose weight during cardiac rehabilitation. My NHLBI-funded Career Development Award will use the Multiphase Optimization Strategy to test 4 technologies to be used in combination with an online behavioral weight loss system that I am tailoring for this group. Other projects include (1) creating and evaluating a virtual reality behavioral skills treatment; (2) using passive sensors to intervene on eating behavior; (3) assessing under-served patients' technology preferences; (4) disseminating online weight management in primary care; (5) training healthcare providers to be more effective when addressing obesity.
Research Summary: My research targets prevention, secondary prevention, and interventions for cardiovascular disease and obesity using novel methodological approaches. I am interested in helping cardiovascular disease patients lose weight during cardiac rehabilitation. My NHLBI-funded Career Development Award will use the Multiphase Optimization Strategy to test 4 technologies to be used in combination with an online behavioral weight loss system that I am tailoring for this group. Other projects include (1) creating and evaluating a virtual reality behavioral skills treatment; (2) using passive sensors to intervene on eating behavior; (3) assessing under-served patients' technology preferences; (4) disseminating online weight management in primary care; (5) training healthcare providers to be more effective when addressing obesity.
Macey Leigh Henderson | JD, PhD
Assistant Professor | Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Research Interest: Transplant policy, health outcomes for live donors and transplant recipients, use of mobile health and technological innovations for patient care management, role of social media in solid organ transplantation
Research Summary: Dr. Henderson's background in law, ethics, and health policy and management support her research into health outcomes of live kidney donors and transplant patients. She draws on the areas of health information technology, clinical informatics, social media, communications, and implementation science to drive innovation to improve the lives of transplant patients and live donors. She is the Director of Kidney Space—a new Facebook integrated health app designed to help patients and families learn about kidney disease and transplantation, and received a K01 grant from the NIH/NIDDK to develop novel mHealth systems.
Research Summary: Dr. Henderson's background in law, ethics, and health policy and management support her research into health outcomes of live kidney donors and transplant patients. She draws on the areas of health information technology, clinical informatics, social media, communications, and implementation science to drive innovation to improve the lives of transplant patients and live donors. She is the Director of Kidney Space—a new Facebook integrated health app designed to help patients and families learn about kidney disease and transplantation, and received a K01 grant from the NIH/NIDDK to develop novel mHealth systems.
Jesse Lieberman | MD, MSPH
Carolinas Medical Center | Carolinas Medical Center
Research Interest: Nutrition in individuals with spinal cord injuries
Research Summary: For the past nine years I have been studying nutrition for cardiovascular disease prevention in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). I currently have a NHLBI K award titled "Nutrition Education for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Individuals with SCI."
Research Summary: For the past nine years I have been studying nutrition for cardiovascular disease prevention in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). I currently have a NHLBI K award titled "Nutrition Education for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Individuals with SCI."
Spencer Moore | PhD, MPH
Associate Professor | University of South Carolina
Research Interest: Social networks, social capital, global health, diffusion of innovations
Research Summary: My research examines the effects of the social environment (e.g., social capital) on health, with the aim of developing community interventions that improve population health and reduce health inequities. My research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Ontario Ministry of Research, Science, and Innovation. Working with colleagues and students, my research has appeared in a range of journals, including the American Journal of Public Health, Social Science and Medicine, and the International Journal of Epidemiology.
Research Summary: My research examines the effects of the social environment (e.g., social capital) on health, with the aim of developing community interventions that improve population health and reduce health inequities. My research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Ontario Ministry of Research, Science, and Innovation. Working with colleagues and students, my research has appeared in a range of journals, including the American Journal of Public Health, Social Science and Medicine, and the International Journal of Epidemiology.
Allison A. Norful | PhD, MPhil, MSN
Postdoctoral Research Fellow | Columbia University
Research Interest: Primary care delivery models; interprofessional teamwork; provider co-management; chronic disease care management
Research Summary: My research focuses on interventions to improve primary care delivery during chronic disease care management. My goal is to develop and investigate the impact of a multidisciplinary mHealth intervention that aims to improve communication between clinical team members when co-managing the same primary care patient across the health continuum.
Research Summary: My research focuses on interventions to improve primary care delivery during chronic disease care management. My goal is to develop and investigate the impact of a multidisciplinary mHealth intervention that aims to improve communication between clinical team members when co-managing the same primary care patient across the health continuum.
Lydia Anne Shrier | MD, MPH
Director of Clinic-Based Research | Boston Children's Hospital
Research Interest: Adolescent and young adult health, behavioral interventions, mHealth
Research Summary: The focus of my research has been on the associations of mental health and social context with risk behaviors in adolescents and young adults. I have particular interests in optimizing momentary and daily self-assessment measures and approaches to mobile data collection and in creating mobile behavioral interventions for cannabis use and for sexual risk behaviors. I hope to develop interventions that can be useful for primary care settings as well as outside of clinical care, where resources and treatments may be limited or lacking in effectiveness.
Research Summary: The focus of my research has been on the associations of mental health and social context with risk behaviors in adolescents and young adults. I have particular interests in optimizing momentary and daily self-assessment measures and approaches to mobile data collection and in creating mobile behavioral interventions for cannabis use and for sexual risk behaviors. I hope to develop interventions that can be useful for primary care settings as well as outside of clinical care, where resources and treatments may be limited or lacking in effectiveness.
Ashley Walton | PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow | Harvard University
Research Interest: Using sensor technologies to help people with acute and/or chronic pain
Research Summary: My research is focused on how to leverage sensor technologies to provide adaptive support for individuals with acute and/or chronic pain. I am currently focused on developing a mHealth intervention for individuals with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), but also aim to contribute to the development of interventions for chronic pain more generally.
Research Summary: My research is focused on how to leverage sensor technologies to provide adaptive support for individuals with acute and/or chronic pain. I am currently focused on developing a mHealth intervention for individuals with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), but also aim to contribute to the development of interventions for chronic pain more generally.
Kara Bagot | MD
Assistant Professor | University of California, San Diego
Research Interest: Child and adolescent psychiatry, adolescent addiction, impact of screen time on brain development, utilizing mobile technology in the real-time assessment of youth behaviors
Research Summary: Dr. Bagot's research background is in adolescent substance use disorders (SUDs) and overlapping childhood psychopathology. Her current work focuses on the effects of technology (e.g. social media, video gaming, internet use) on development of SUDs and psychiatric illness in children and adolescents, and ways to use mobile technologies to better assess, monitor and treat SUDs in adolescents. Dr. Bagot's current projects include development of a mobile health intervention for adolescents with moderate-severe Cannabis Use Disorders (CUDs), and examination of common neural mechanisms of social media ‘addiction' and CUD in adolescents.
Research Summary: Dr. Bagot's research background is in adolescent substance use disorders (SUDs) and overlapping childhood psychopathology. Her current work focuses on the effects of technology (e.g. social media, video gaming, internet use) on development of SUDs and psychiatric illness in children and adolescents, and ways to use mobile technologies to better assess, monitor and treat SUDs in adolescents. Dr. Bagot's current projects include development of a mobile health intervention for adolescents with moderate-severe Cannabis Use Disorders (CUDs), and examination of common neural mechanisms of social media ‘addiction' and CUD in adolescents.
Jennifer Dahne | PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar | Medical University of South Carolina
Research Interest: Leveraging technology to increase the reach of evidence-based treatments for mental health and addictive disorders
Research Summary: Dr. Dahne is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Addiction Sciences Division at the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park and is a licensed psychologist in South Carolina. Dr. Dahne's research focuses on leveraging technology to increase the reach of evidence-based treatments for mental health and addictive disorders. She is particularly interested in improving access to smoking cessation treatments for those with mental (e.g., depression, anxiety) and physical (e.g., end-stage organ failure) health comorbidities.
Research Summary: Dr. Dahne is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Addiction Sciences Division at the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park and is a licensed psychologist in South Carolina. Dr. Dahne's research focuses on leveraging technology to increase the reach of evidence-based treatments for mental health and addictive disorders. She is particularly interested in improving access to smoking cessation treatments for those with mental (e.g., depression, anxiety) and physical (e.g., end-stage organ failure) health comorbidities.
Ben Gerber | MD, MPH
Professor | University of Illinois at Chicago
Research Interest: Chronic disease self-management and health behavior promotion through mHealth and health services delivery redesign.
Research Summary: I have experience in the design, development, and implementation of mHealth solutions targeting low-income, minority populations with limited access to healthcare services. Our research has involved health coaching weight-management interventions, 2-way text messaging support, multimedia education, mobile app development and implementation, and physiologic measures including wearables for real-time engagement. We have received funding through AHRQ, CDC, NIH, and non-federal sources to support research trials of community and clinic-based interventions. Currently, I am co-leading a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the use of mHealth in diabetes adherence support, including clinical pharmacists and community health workers collaborating in team management.
Research Summary: I have experience in the design, development, and implementation of mHealth solutions targeting low-income, minority populations with limited access to healthcare services. Our research has involved health coaching weight-management interventions, 2-way text messaging support, multimedia education, mobile app development and implementation, and physiologic measures including wearables for real-time engagement. We have received funding through AHRQ, CDC, NIH, and non-federal sources to support research trials of community and clinic-based interventions. Currently, I am co-leading a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the use of mHealth in diabetes adherence support, including clinical pharmacists and community health workers collaborating in team management.
Phillip Gorrindo | MD, PhD
Fogarty GloCal Health Fellow | UCSF
Research Interest: Women's health, global health, sexual and reproductive health, male engagement in family planning, behavior change, implementation science
Research Summary: Phillip Gorrindo, MD, PhD is a practicing Ob/Gyn, physician-scientist, 2018 NIH Fogarty International Center GloCal Health Fellow, and post-doctoral research fellow at UCSF. Phillip has expertise in translational research approaches to developmental social neuroscience as well as contemporary issues in women's health. He has a particular interest in technological innovations that target barriers to sexual and reproductive healthcare. He is currently working in Kenya, developing a mHealth intervention for sustainable engagement of men in family planning that targets gender norms as a foundation for attitude and behavior change.
Research Summary: Phillip Gorrindo, MD, PhD is a practicing Ob/Gyn, physician-scientist, 2018 NIH Fogarty International Center GloCal Health Fellow, and post-doctoral research fellow at UCSF. Phillip has expertise in translational research approaches to developmental social neuroscience as well as contemporary issues in women's health. He has a particular interest in technological innovations that target barriers to sexual and reproductive healthcare. He is currently working in Kenya, developing a mHealth intervention for sustainable engagement of men in family planning that targets gender norms as a foundation for attitude and behavior change.
Maia Jacobs | PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow | Harvard University
Research Interest: Mobile Health and chronic disease management
Research Summary: I develop new approaches for mobile health tools that consider the changing needs and goals of individuals over time, particularly in the context of chronic disease management. My goal is to provide evidence that interactions with personal health tools influence healthcare experiences, and identify usage patterns and system features that correspond to improved health metrics.
Research Summary: I develop new approaches for mobile health tools that consider the changing needs and goals of individuals over time, particularly in the context of chronic disease management. My goal is to provide evidence that interactions with personal health tools influence healthcare experiences, and identify usage patterns and system features that correspond to improved health metrics.
Nour Makarem | PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow | Columbia University Medical Center
Research Interest: Cardiovascular disease prevention, circadian timing of energetic behaviors, mobile health, big data, health disparities
Research Summary: My research interest lies in investigating the interplay between diet, sleep, and activity patterns and their role in cardiometabolic risk in women and underserved population groups using big data approaches. I am currently investigating mobile application measures of circadian timing of food intake in relation to cardiometabolic risk among Hispanic/Latina women. I am interested in using mobile health and wearable devices to assess the circadian rhythmicity of energetic behaviors (eating and rest-activity patterns) and to examine their socio-demographic correlates. I am also interested in evaluating how the timing of external cues with respect to eating and rest-activity patterns can be modulated to sustain a robust circadian clock and reduce cardiovascular risk in women and underserved populations.
Research Summary: My research interest lies in investigating the interplay between diet, sleep, and activity patterns and their role in cardiometabolic risk in women and underserved population groups using big data approaches. I am currently investigating mobile application measures of circadian timing of food intake in relation to cardiometabolic risk among Hispanic/Latina women. I am interested in using mobile health and wearable devices to assess the circadian rhythmicity of energetic behaviors (eating and rest-activity patterns) and to examine their socio-demographic correlates. I am also interested in evaluating how the timing of external cues with respect to eating and rest-activity patterns can be modulated to sustain a robust circadian clock and reduce cardiovascular risk in women and underserved populations.
Bashir I. Morshed | PhD
Associate Professor | University of Memphis
Research Interest: Body-worn sensors using inkjet printed electronics and wearables for mobile health applications
Research Summary: Dr. Morshed's research aims to holistically develop wearables and body-worn electronic sensors to monitor neurophysiological signals in the natural environment for biomedical applications. He directs Embedded Systems Advanced Research and Prototyping Lab and Bioelectronics/BioSens Lab. He has published 25+ journal articles and presented 50+ conference papers. He has 1 granted patent, and 5 patent applications pending. He has received an EAGER grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) as the Principal Investigator, and received funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH) as a co-PI. He is a recipient of the Canadian Commonwealth Fellowship (2002), Indira Gandhi Memorial Fellowship (2006), and Ontario Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (2008).
Research Summary: Dr. Morshed's research aims to holistically develop wearables and body-worn electronic sensors to monitor neurophysiological signals in the natural environment for biomedical applications. He directs Embedded Systems Advanced Research and Prototyping Lab and Bioelectronics/BioSens Lab. He has published 25+ journal articles and presented 50+ conference papers. He has 1 granted patent, and 5 patent applications pending. He has received an EAGER grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) as the Principal Investigator, and received funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH) as a co-PI. He is a recipient of the Canadian Commonwealth Fellowship (2002), Indira Gandhi Memorial Fellowship (2006), and Ontario Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (2008).
Mustafa Ozkaynak | PhD
Assistant Professor | University of Colorado
Research Interest: Social and organizational consequences of health IT
Research Summary: The key concept of my research program is workflow. I am interested in applying the concept of workflow in various formal and informal health settings such as clinics, nursing homes and daily-living settings. I am also interested in developing novel methodological to capture, analyze and represent workflow. Mhealth approaches play a critical role in development of these approaches. The findings of my findings from workflow studies inform clinician or patient or informal care giver facing decision support systems. Developing workflow informed clinical decision support system is necessary to bridge the gap between diverse health settings. Bridging this gap can potentially allow clinicians to individualize care delivery plans and improve adherence.
Research Summary: The key concept of my research program is workflow. I am interested in applying the concept of workflow in various formal and informal health settings such as clinics, nursing homes and daily-living settings. I am also interested in developing novel methodological to capture, analyze and represent workflow. Mhealth approaches play a critical role in development of these approaches. The findings of my findings from workflow studies inform clinician or patient or informal care giver facing decision support systems. Developing workflow informed clinical decision support system is necessary to bridge the gap between diverse health settings. Bridging this gap can potentially allow clinicians to individualize care delivery plans and improve adherence.
Kunmi Sobowale | MD
Psychiatry Resident | Yale School of Medicine
Research Interest: Financial stress and digital health interventions
Research Summary: Kunmi Sobowale, MD, is a psychiatry resident at the Yale School of Medicine. His interest is in the use of financial services and digital health to alleviate the burden of disease of mental illness for vulnerable populations including women, children, and adolescents. He has explored increasing access to mental health care in Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong, mainland China and with low-income populations in the United States via micro-finance and digital health interventions. Currently, as part of the New Haven Mental health Outreach for MotherS (MOMS) Partnership, he is investigating financial stress and digital health interventions for low-income mothers. His education includes University of Chicago (MD), Stanford Inter-University Center for Japanese Studies, and Yale University (BA: Behavioral Neuroscience).
Research Summary: Kunmi Sobowale, MD, is a psychiatry resident at the Yale School of Medicine. His interest is in the use of financial services and digital health to alleviate the burden of disease of mental illness for vulnerable populations including women, children, and adolescents. He has explored increasing access to mental health care in Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong, mainland China and with low-income populations in the United States via micro-finance and digital health interventions. Currently, as part of the New Haven Mental health Outreach for MotherS (MOMS) Partnership, he is investigating financial stress and digital health interventions for low-income mothers. His education includes University of Chicago (MD), Stanford Inter-University Center for Japanese Studies, and Yale University (BA: Behavioral Neuroscience).
Kyle Winfree | PhD
Assistant Professor | Northern Arizona University
Research Interest: Design, fabrication, and use of wearable technologies to measure and improve health care
Research Summary: As director of the Wearable Informatics lab (WIL) at NAU, Dr. Winfree's research interests include design, fabrication, and use of wearable technologies to measure and improve health care. This includes the hardware, software, and analysis methods of such technologies, with a focus on clinical pediatric and geriatric populations in addition to healthy adults. On going projects include those focused on stroke survivors rehabilitation, pediatric mobility, design of a flexible and extensible data logger, analysis and correction of commodity wearable device measures, and statistical learning of human and animal behaviors leveraging commodity and custom accelerometer platforms. Students in his lab include graduate and undergraduate students in disciplines of Engineering, the Natural Sciences, and the Health Sciences.
Research Summary: As director of the Wearable Informatics lab (WIL) at NAU, Dr. Winfree's research interests include design, fabrication, and use of wearable technologies to measure and improve health care. This includes the hardware, software, and analysis methods of such technologies, with a focus on clinical pediatric and geriatric populations in addition to healthy adults. On going projects include those focused on stroke survivors rehabilitation, pediatric mobility, design of a flexible and extensible data logger, analysis and correction of commodity wearable device measures, and statistical learning of human and animal behaviors leveraging commodity and custom accelerometer platforms. Students in his lab include graduate and undergraduate students in disciplines of Engineering, the Natural Sciences, and the Health Sciences.
