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Advancing the Next Generation
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2022 Scholars
Arjun Athreya | PhD, MS
Assistant Professor | Mayo Clinic
Research Interest: Individualized Medicine, Systems Engineering, Analytics, and Digital/Remote Health
Research Summary: Building novel end-to-end computer engineering systems for precision medicine is at the heart of my research program at Mayo Clinic. The developed systems leverage analytical approaches that use omics, behavioral, familial history, and societal factors to individualize predictions of short- and long-term health or treatment outcomes. As case studies, a highly-multidisciplinary group comprising clinicians, geneticists, laboratory medicine experts and bioethicists have developed systems to study depression in children and adults, disruptive behavior in children, rare oncological diseases, and burnout in registered nurses. In all these studies, we study barriers of developed technologies and digital health in promoting equitable healthcare for all – at the individual, community, and global level.
Research Summary: Building novel end-to-end computer engineering systems for precision medicine is at the heart of my research program at Mayo Clinic. The developed systems leverage analytical approaches that use omics, behavioral, familial history, and societal factors to individualize predictions of short- and long-term health or treatment outcomes. As case studies, a highly-multidisciplinary group comprising clinicians, geneticists, laboratory medicine experts and bioethicists have developed systems to study depression in children and adults, disruptive behavior in children, rare oncological diseases, and burnout in registered nurses. In all these studies, we study barriers of developed technologies and digital health in promoting equitable healthcare for all – at the individual, community, and global level.
Natalie (Nat) Benda | PhD
Instructor | Weill Cornell Medicine
Research Interest: Human factors methods to improve the quality, safety, and equity of healthcare, with a special focus on consumer and clinical informatics technologies
Research Summary: Natatlie's current work involves using mHealth to address issues, such as: racial disparities in severe maternal morbidity, improving access to scalable mental health treatment for older adults, developing population health surveillance in low-income countries.
Research Summary: Natatlie's current work involves using mHealth to address issues, such as: racial disparities in severe maternal morbidity, improving access to scalable mental health treatment for older adults, developing population health surveillance in low-income countries.
Jaih Craddock | PhD
Assistant Professor| University of Maryland
Research Interest: Digital technologies on human development and social interactions and using this work to decrease health disparities and enhance community and public health social work interventions
Research Summary: Dr. Craddock's work is strongly committed to understanding the impacts of digital technologies on human development and social interactions and using this work to decrease health disparities and enhance community and public health social work interventions. Dr. Craddock's principal scholarship addresses individual and community-level sexual health and HIV disparities in Black communities by leveraging innovative technology-based interventions and social network methods. Specifically, her work aims to understand the associations of social network-based communication and technology use and sexual health-related behaviors, decision making, and knowledge acquisition among young Black adults. In addition, she is leveraging this knowledge to develop mHealth interventions to advance health equity.
Research Summary: Dr. Craddock's work is strongly committed to understanding the impacts of digital technologies on human development and social interactions and using this work to decrease health disparities and enhance community and public health social work interventions. Dr. Craddock's principal scholarship addresses individual and community-level sexual health and HIV disparities in Black communities by leveraging innovative technology-based interventions and social network methods. Specifically, her work aims to understand the associations of social network-based communication and technology use and sexual health-related behaviors, decision making, and knowledge acquisition among young Black adults. In addition, she is leveraging this knowledge to develop mHealth interventions to advance health equity.
Shanthini Kasturi | MD, MS
Assistant Professor | Tufts Medical Center
Research Interest: mHealth interventions, patient-reported outcomes, health-related quality of life, chronic disease management
Research Summary: I am a board-certified rheumatologist and patient-oriented clinical investigator with a focus on improving outcomes in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus. My research has investigated the measurement of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and the implementation of validated electronic PRO surveys for use in the clinical care of patients with lupus. I am interested in the use of mHealth technology and the application of human-centered design methodologies to facilitate chronic disease management and improve health-related quality of life. My current work is focused on the development and implementation of an mHealth enabled peer coaching intervention to reduce fatigue in lupus.
Research Summary: I am a board-certified rheumatologist and patient-oriented clinical investigator with a focus on improving outcomes in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus. My research has investigated the measurement of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and the implementation of validated electronic PRO surveys for use in the clinical care of patients with lupus. I am interested in the use of mHealth technology and the application of human-centered design methodologies to facilitate chronic disease management and improve health-related quality of life. My current work is focused on the development and implementation of an mHealth enabled peer coaching intervention to reduce fatigue in lupus.
Agatha Lenartowicz | PhD
Associate Professor | UCLA
Research Interest: Basic mechanisms and rehabilitative approaches to attention deficits in ADHD
Research Summary: Over the past seven years, she has worked to develop a translational arm to her research, including basic mechanisms and rehabilitative approaches to attention deficits in ADHD. She is a pioneer in the use of concurrent EEG-fMRI recordings in the study of the attention system and especially its disorders in ADHD. She is also actively building a mobile-EEG research program to assess attention in the real-world, in particular in the classroom. Dr. Lenartowicz is the Operations Director at the Staglin OneMind IMHRO Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and is the director of the EEG Analysis Core at the Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior.
Research Summary: Over the past seven years, she has worked to develop a translational arm to her research, including basic mechanisms and rehabilitative approaches to attention deficits in ADHD. She is a pioneer in the use of concurrent EEG-fMRI recordings in the study of the attention system and especially its disorders in ADHD. She is also actively building a mobile-EEG research program to assess attention in the real-world, in particular in the classroom. Dr. Lenartowicz is the Operations Director at the Staglin OneMind IMHRO Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and is the director of the EEG Analysis Core at the Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior.
Jessica Lipschitz | PhD
Associate Director | Brigham and Women's Hospital
Research Interest: Mobile app interventions, implementation science, digital phenotyping, precision medicine, behavioral health
Research Summary: Dr. Lipschitz's research focuses on optimizing and implementing digital behavioral health interventions in the context of routine care as well as use of digital phenotyping methods to inform the practice of precision medicine. Dr. Lipschitz has also worked extensively with the VA on national digital health rollout initiatives and has consulted and conducted research in partnership with industry aimed at improving and implementing digital health solutions for behavioral health.
Research Summary: Dr. Lipschitz's research focuses on optimizing and implementing digital behavioral health interventions in the context of routine care as well as use of digital phenotyping methods to inform the practice of precision medicine. Dr. Lipschitz has also worked extensively with the VA on national digital health rollout initiatives and has consulted and conducted research in partnership with industry aimed at improving and implementing digital health solutions for behavioral health.
Laura McGuinn | PhD, MPH
Postdoctoral Fellow | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Research Interest: Child and adolescent psychopathology, environmental epidemiology, digital mental health, stress and resilience
Research Summary: My research primarily focuses on the impacts of spatially and temporally varying chemical and non-chemical stressors on cardiometabolic, neurodevelopmental, and mental health outcomes, with a particular focus on mixtures and timing of urban exposures, vulnerable populations, and novel exposure assessment approaches. I'm particularly interested in using mHealth methods (including sensing and ecological momentary assessments) to assess impacts of chemical and non-chemical stressors on mental health outcomes across the life course in largescale epidemiologic studies.
Research Summary: My research primarily focuses on the impacts of spatially and temporally varying chemical and non-chemical stressors on cardiometabolic, neurodevelopmental, and mental health outcomes, with a particular focus on mixtures and timing of urban exposures, vulnerable populations, and novel exposure assessment approaches. I'm particularly interested in using mHealth methods (including sensing and ecological momentary assessments) to assess impacts of chemical and non-chemical stressors on mental health outcomes across the life course in largescale epidemiologic studies.
Heather Nuske | PhD
Assistant Research Professor | University of Pennsylvania
Research Interest: Digital mental health technologies and interventions, autism, emotion regulation
Research Summary: Her research is dedicated to utilizing digital mental health technology to support the implementation of evidence-based practices for individuals with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. A particular area of research focus of hers is on measuring and supporting emotion regulation in children on the autism spectrum, using digital mental health platforms combined with psychophysiological indices and treatment approaches such as social and emotional learning programs, mindfulness-based approaches and emotion regulation training. Dr. Nuske uses community-partnered participatory research and user-centered design methods and conduct mixed-method randomized controlled trials to answer implementation- and efficacy/effectiveness-related questions about the digital mental health technologies and interventions.
Research Summary: Her research is dedicated to utilizing digital mental health technology to support the implementation of evidence-based practices for individuals with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. A particular area of research focus of hers is on measuring and supporting emotion regulation in children on the autism spectrum, using digital mental health platforms combined with psychophysiological indices and treatment approaches such as social and emotional learning programs, mindfulness-based approaches and emotion regulation training. Dr. Nuske uses community-partnered participatory research and user-centered design methods and conduct mixed-method randomized controlled trials to answer implementation- and efficacy/effectiveness-related questions about the digital mental health technologies and interventions.
Damon Swift | PhD
Associate Professor | University of Virginia
Research Interest: Exercise training, lifestyle intervention, weight loss and maitenance, CVD risk factors, and health disparities
Research Summary: The overarching goal of my research program is to evaluate the effects of different exercise programs on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. At the present time, I am particulary interested in the impact of lifestyle interventions in weight maintenance.
Research Summary: The overarching goal of my research program is to evaluate the effects of different exercise programs on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. At the present time, I am particulary interested in the impact of lifestyle interventions in weight maintenance.
Xiaojing Wang | PhD
Associate Professor | University of Connecticut
Research Interest: Personalized learning, Bayesian statistics, Missing data, Latent Variable Models, mHealth
Research Summary: My research centers on methodological aspects of Bayesian statistics and their applications to large-scale complex data with variables varying in time, missing or having constraints. My primary focus is in the areas of latent variable models, missing data, nonparametric methods, and subgroup analysis. Most of my research is carried out through a broad range of interdisciplinary collaborations in the fields of ecology, education, engineering, health, medicine and so on with researchers from both academia and industry. My current research is mainly focus on the development of novel statistical models and establishing state-of-the-art inference techniques from Bayesian perspective to facilitate personalized interventions in the education and mobile health in the digital era.
Research Summary: My research centers on methodological aspects of Bayesian statistics and their applications to large-scale complex data with variables varying in time, missing or having constraints. My primary focus is in the areas of latent variable models, missing data, nonparametric methods, and subgroup analysis. Most of my research is carried out through a broad range of interdisciplinary collaborations in the fields of ecology, education, engineering, health, medicine and so on with researchers from both academia and industry. My current research is mainly focus on the development of novel statistical models and establishing state-of-the-art inference techniques from Bayesian perspective to facilitate personalized interventions in the education and mobile health in the digital era.
Jeannie F. Bailey | PhD
Assistant Professor | UCSF
Research Interest: Biomechanics, Muscle Health, Motion Capture, Sensors, RWD, Digital Therapeutics, Patient Engagement, and Recovery Outcomes
Research Summary: Dr. Bailey's research explores novel methods for identifying clinical-relevant biomechanical phenotypes and exploring potential interactive mechanisms between separate musculoskeletal pain phenotypes. She is actively developing, testing, and deploying precision-based digital health technology to enhance both clinician and patient engagement in treatment and recovery.
Research Summary: Dr. Bailey's research explores novel methods for identifying clinical-relevant biomechanical phenotypes and exploring potential interactive mechanisms between separate musculoskeletal pain phenotypes. She is actively developing, testing, and deploying precision-based digital health technology to enhance both clinician and patient engagement in treatment and recovery.
Taylor Burke | PhD
Research Staff | Massachusetts General Hospital
Research Interest: Proximal predictors of suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injury, passive sensing technologies, mHealth behavioral interventions
Research Summary: Dr. Burke specializes in the prediction and prevention of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) among adolescents. Her work aims to use novel methodologies and computational approaches to improve our ability to identify adolescents at risk so we can intervene and prevent SITBs.
Research Summary: Dr. Burke specializes in the prediction and prevention of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) among adolescents. Her work aims to use novel methodologies and computational approaches to improve our ability to identify adolescents at risk so we can intervene and prevent SITBs.
Caroline Dorfman | PhD
Clinical Health Psychologist | Duke University
Research Interest: Developing and testing novel behavioral symptom management interventions for underserved oncology populations
Research Summary: Her research focuses on developing and testing novel behavioral symptom management interventions for underserved oncology populations (e.g., adolescent and young adult cancer survivors, cancer survivors with comorbid health conditions). Her goal is to develop interventions to enhance survivors' self-efficacy for managing physical and psychological symptoms. Dr. Dorfman is interested in designing and implementing hybrid interventions that combine in-person sessions with mHealth technology to increase participant engagement and potential for dissemination.
Research Summary: Her research focuses on developing and testing novel behavioral symptom management interventions for underserved oncology populations (e.g., adolescent and young adult cancer survivors, cancer survivors with comorbid health conditions). Her goal is to develop interventions to enhance survivors' self-efficacy for managing physical and psychological symptoms. Dr. Dorfman is interested in designing and implementing hybrid interventions that combine in-person sessions with mHealth technology to increase participant engagement and potential for dissemination.
Justin Knox | PhD, MPH, MSc
Assistant Professor | Columbia University
Research Interest: HIV, substance abuse among racial and sexual minorities
Research Summary: His research focuses on HIV and substance use among racial and sexual minorities, both domestically and globally
Research Summary: His research focuses on HIV and substance use among racial and sexual minorities, both domestically and globally
Krista S. Leonard | PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow | Arizona State University
Research Interest: Psychobehavioral determinants and outcomes of physical activity and sedentary behaviors, development/refinement, implementation, and dissemination of behavioral interventions, including adaptive interventions
Research Summary: My research interests include understanding the psychobehavioral determinants and outcomes of physical activity and sedentary behaviors. I am particularly interested in leveraging the use of mobile health (mHealth) tools to both measure and intervene upon physical activity and sedentary behaviors in an effort to facilitate healthy behavior change for physical and mental health promotion. My interests also include the development/refinement, implementation, and dissemination of behavioral interventions, including adaptive interventions, to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviors in adults as well as during pregnancy and postpartum. My goal is to conduct impactful research related to physical activity and sedentary behaviors and to establish a funded research program to develop and evaluate evidence-based, behavioral interventions to promote healthy movement behaviors in an effort to prevent chronic disease risk and poor mental health.
Research Summary: My research interests include understanding the psychobehavioral determinants and outcomes of physical activity and sedentary behaviors. I am particularly interested in leveraging the use of mobile health (mHealth) tools to both measure and intervene upon physical activity and sedentary behaviors in an effort to facilitate healthy behavior change for physical and mental health promotion. My interests also include the development/refinement, implementation, and dissemination of behavioral interventions, including adaptive interventions, to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviors in adults as well as during pregnancy and postpartum. My goal is to conduct impactful research related to physical activity and sedentary behaviors and to establish a funded research program to develop and evaluate evidence-based, behavioral interventions to promote healthy movement behaviors in an effort to prevent chronic disease risk and poor mental health.
Kah Poh Loh | MBBCh BAO, MS
Assistant Professor | University of Rochester Medical Center
Research Interest: Geriatric hematology, digital health, behavioral and supportive care interventions, treatment decision making, end of life care prognostic understanding
Research Summary: I am a geriatric hematologist with board certification in internal medicine, hematology, oncology, and geriatrics. Clinically, I specialize in caring for older adults with myeloid malignancies. I direct the Geriatric Hematology and Mobile Health Research Program. My research focuses on developing and implementating behavioral and supportive care interventions, utilizing digital health technologies, to improve outcomes for older adults with cancer. I am supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) K99/R00. Locally at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, I lead all geriatric hematology clinical and research efforts.
Research Summary: I am a geriatric hematologist with board certification in internal medicine, hematology, oncology, and geriatrics. Clinically, I specialize in caring for older adults with myeloid malignancies. I direct the Geriatric Hematology and Mobile Health Research Program. My research focuses on developing and implementating behavioral and supportive care interventions, utilizing digital health technologies, to improve outcomes for older adults with cancer. I am supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) K99/R00. Locally at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, I lead all geriatric hematology clinical and research efforts.
Varun Mishra | PhD
Assistant Professor | Northeastern University
Research Interest: Ubiquitous computing, mobile/wearable sensing, human-centered computing, data science, and behavioral science
Research Summary: His research focuses on leveraging ubiquitous technologies like smartphones and wearables to enable effective digital health interventions for mental and behavioral health outcomes. His research is in the broad field of ubiquitous computing and lies at the intersection of mobile/wearable sensing, human-centered computing, data science, and behavioral science. Varun's work is highly interdisciplinary, and he regularly collaborates with clinicians, psychologists, engineers, and other computer scientists to design, build, and deploy the tools and systems needed for their collective research goals.
Research Summary: His research focuses on leveraging ubiquitous technologies like smartphones and wearables to enable effective digital health interventions for mental and behavioral health outcomes. His research is in the broad field of ubiquitous computing and lies at the intersection of mobile/wearable sensing, human-centered computing, data science, and behavioral science. Varun's work is highly interdisciplinary, and he regularly collaborates with clinicians, psychologists, engineers, and other computer scientists to design, build, and deploy the tools and systems needed for their collective research goals.
Temiloluwa Prioleau | PhD
Assistant Professor | Dartmouth College
Research Interest: Digital Health, Wearable Technology, Data Science, Human-Centered Computing
Research Summary: Dr. Prioleau's research focus is on enabling personalized care of complex health conditions with mobile and wearable technology, data analytics, and human-centered computing. Her work covers the full data pipeline including data acquisition and integration, exploration, analysis, and explanation to enable and inform personalized healthcare. Dr. Prioleau currently leads research efforts on advancing digital solutions for leading chronic conditions like diabetes. At Dartmouth, she founded and co-directs the Augmented Health Lab – a consortium of interdisciplinary researchers in Computer Science, Engineering, and Medicine working together to tackle grand challenges in healthcare. Dr. Prioleau completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship at Rice University, her PhD in Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech, and her BS, also in Electrical Engineering, at The University of Texas at Austin.
Research Summary: Dr. Prioleau's research focus is on enabling personalized care of complex health conditions with mobile and wearable technology, data analytics, and human-centered computing. Her work covers the full data pipeline including data acquisition and integration, exploration, analysis, and explanation to enable and inform personalized healthcare. Dr. Prioleau currently leads research efforts on advancing digital solutions for leading chronic conditions like diabetes. At Dartmouth, she founded and co-directs the Augmented Health Lab – a consortium of interdisciplinary researchers in Computer Science, Engineering, and Medicine working together to tackle grand challenges in healthcare. Dr. Prioleau completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship at Rice University, her PhD in Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech, and her BS, also in Electrical Engineering, at The University of Texas at Austin.
Shawana Tabassum | PhD
Assistant Professor | University of Texas at Tyler
Research Interest: Microelectromechanical systems, microfluidics, optoelectronics, biosensors, wearables, electronic textile, energy harvesting, and IoT
Research Summary: My research goal is to design and develop novel sensing technologies to better support the management of infections, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Toward this goal, I develop wearable skin patches, smart wound dressings, in vivo optical probes and interface them with cloud for remote monitoring and management.
Research Summary: My research goal is to design and develop novel sensing technologies to better support the management of infections, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Toward this goal, I develop wearable skin patches, smart wound dressings, in vivo optical probes and interface them with cloud for remote monitoring and management.
Carolyn Yeager | PhD, MS
Clinical Technologist | Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience
Research Interest: Digital health Interventions (DHIs) for trauma recovery, DHI engagement, using sensor data to non-intrusively measure engagement
Research Summary: I am a licensed psychologist specializing in trauma with a Master of Science in computer science from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. I have extensive experience in software development as well as providing clinical recovery services to trauma survivors. My research interests include improving access to trauma-informed services through digital health interventions (DHI) along with understanding methods to improve DHI engagement. Specifically, I design and test innovative and engaging mobile health platforms for trauma recovery and investigate methods to improve overall efficacy. As a researcher, I focus on the conceptualization and predictors of DHI engagement and the use of sensors to monitor and improve DHI engagement.
Research Summary: I am a licensed psychologist specializing in trauma with a Master of Science in computer science from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. I have extensive experience in software development as well as providing clinical recovery services to trauma survivors. My research interests include improving access to trauma-informed services through digital health interventions (DHI) along with understanding methods to improve DHI engagement. Specifically, I design and test innovative and engaging mobile health platforms for trauma recovery and investigate methods to improve overall efficacy. As a researcher, I focus on the conceptualization and predictors of DHI engagement and the use of sensors to monitor and improve DHI engagement.
Laura Bellows | PhD, MPH, RDN
Associate Professor | Cornell University
Research Interest: Intervention design and optimization, behavior change, nutrition, physical activity, health equity
Research Summary: Broadly, my research examines the impact of community-based interventions on public health outcomes. Specifically, my work focuses on the development of eating habits and physical activity patterns in early childhood audiences. To date my work has utilized innovative approaches in the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions aimed at preventing childhood obesity in preschool settings and the home environment. My work aims to promote health equity amongst at-risk audiences.
Research Summary: Broadly, my research examines the impact of community-based interventions on public health outcomes. Specifically, my work focuses on the development of eating habits and physical activity patterns in early childhood audiences. To date my work has utilized innovative approaches in the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions aimed at preventing childhood obesity in preschool settings and the home environment. My work aims to promote health equity amongst at-risk audiences.
Kara Christensen| PhD
Assistant Professor | University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Research Interest: Eating disorders, mHealth, interpersonal relationships, sleep
Research Summary: My research program works across the translational research spectrum to develop, test, and disseminate interventions for disordered eating using novel clinical targets and methods of treatment delivery. Essentially, I address two basic questions for improving eating disorder care: 1) What are promising new treatment targets that could be integrated with existing therapies to enhance results for clients and their families?, 2) How can we use digital health to make empirically supported treatments for eating disorders more accessible to all who need them? To address the first question, my work has focused on conducting basic science studies identifying modifiable mechanisms, such as sleep and interpersonal relationships, that contribute to eating disorder psychopathology. For the second question, I have been developing mobile-based treatments for eating disorders.
Research Summary: My research program works across the translational research spectrum to develop, test, and disseminate interventions for disordered eating using novel clinical targets and methods of treatment delivery. Essentially, I address two basic questions for improving eating disorder care: 1) What are promising new treatment targets that could be integrated with existing therapies to enhance results for clients and their families?, 2) How can we use digital health to make empirically supported treatments for eating disorders more accessible to all who need them? To address the first question, my work has focused on conducting basic science studies identifying modifiable mechanisms, such as sleep and interpersonal relationships, that contribute to eating disorder psychopathology. For the second question, I have been developing mobile-based treatments for eating disorders.
Jeff Epstein | PhD
Professor | Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Research Interest: ADHD, Digital Health Technologies, mhealth
Research Summary: My research focuses on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other psychological disorders that originate in childhood. In my research, I work on developing new and innovative ways to understand, evaluate and treat ADHD. Much of my empirical research has focused on 1) promotion of evidence-based practices among pediatricians; 2) examining the biological basis of ADHD; and 3) development of new interventions for ADHD.
Research Summary: My research focuses on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other psychological disorders that originate in childhood. In my research, I work on developing new and innovative ways to understand, evaluate and treat ADHD. Much of my empirical research has focused on 1) promotion of evidence-based practices among pediatricians; 2) examining the biological basis of ADHD; and 3) development of new interventions for ADHD.
Rachel Kornfield | PhD
Research Assistant Professor | Northwestern University
Research Interest: Scalable digitals tools, substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety
Research Summary: Rachel's interdisciplinary research program focuses on designing and evaluating scalable digital tools that support individuals in managing common mental health concerns like substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety. Rachel is particularly interested in tools that tailor automated messaging to individuals' characteristics and in-the-moment needs and circumstances (e.g., mood, energy, busyness). Rachel was recently awarded a K01 award from NIMH that seeks to design and evaluate an automated text messaging intervention for depression self-management that uses reinforcement learning to tailor messaging.
Research Summary: Rachel's interdisciplinary research program focuses on designing and evaluating scalable digital tools that support individuals in managing common mental health concerns like substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety. Rachel is particularly interested in tools that tailor automated messaging to individuals' characteristics and in-the-moment needs and circumstances (e.g., mood, energy, busyness). Rachel was recently awarded a K01 award from NIMH that seeks to design and evaluate an automated text messaging intervention for depression self-management that uses reinforcement learning to tailor messaging.
Yu Kuei (Alex) Lin | MD
Assistant Professor | University of Michigan
Research Interest: Hypoglycemia, advanced diabetes technology, diabetes self-management, mHealth behavior intervention
Research Summary: My research focuses on identifying factors leading to and prolonging hypoglycemia and devising and evaluating behavioral interventions to optimize hypoglycemia self-management and minimize hypoglycemia. Our research has demonstrated that hypoglycemia continues to be problematic in people with diabetes despite the use of advanced diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery systems, and behavioral interventions are in need to improve hypoglycemia self-management to further reduce hypoglycemia. I am interested in using mHealth to implement behavioral interventions to optimize hypoglycemia self-management in people with diabetes.
Research Summary: My research focuses on identifying factors leading to and prolonging hypoglycemia and devising and evaluating behavioral interventions to optimize hypoglycemia self-management and minimize hypoglycemia. Our research has demonstrated that hypoglycemia continues to be problematic in people with diabetes despite the use of advanced diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery systems, and behavioral interventions are in need to improve hypoglycemia self-management to further reduce hypoglycemia. I am interested in using mHealth to implement behavioral interventions to optimize hypoglycemia self-management in people with diabetes.
Jessica McCurley | PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor | Massachusetts General Hospital
Research Interest: Implementation science, participatory design, behavioral economics strategies (e.g., "nudges"), and low-burden mobile health components (e.g., ecological momentary assessment and intervention) to improve diet and physical activity and reduce depression, chronic stress,
Research Summary: My research is focused on developing and evaluating theory-based behavioral interventions to improve cardiometabolic health. My projects utilize implementation science, participatory design, behavioral economics strategies (e.g., "nudges"), and low-burden mobile health components (e.g., ecological momentary assessment and intervention) to improve diet and physical activity and reduce depression, chronic stress, and other psychosocial risk factors that contribute to disparities in chronic cardiometabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. My goal is to increase the reach and engagement of evidence-based interventions in low-income groups (e.g., low-wage workers, Medicaid patients) who experience disproportionate social and structural disadvantage.
Research Summary: My research is focused on developing and evaluating theory-based behavioral interventions to improve cardiometabolic health. My projects utilize implementation science, participatory design, behavioral economics strategies (e.g., "nudges"), and low-burden mobile health components (e.g., ecological momentary assessment and intervention) to improve diet and physical activity and reduce depression, chronic stress, and other psychosocial risk factors that contribute to disparities in chronic cardiometabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. My goal is to increase the reach and engagement of evidence-based interventions in low-income groups (e.g., low-wage workers, Medicaid patients) who experience disproportionate social and structural disadvantage.
Ethan Moitra | PhD
Associate Professor | Brown University
Research Interest: HIV, HIV prevention, Psychosis, Anxiety Disorders, Primary Care, Stigma, Substance Use
Research Summary: Dr. Moitra is a clinical psychologist. His research focuses on the application of acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions to support treatment engagement, particularly among people with HIV and those at risk for HIV infection. Dr. Moitra is interested in using acceptance and mindfulness skills to facilitate disclosure of stigmatized identities (e.g., HIV+, substance user) as a mechanism to enhance care engagement by challenging stigmatization fears and enhancing social support.
Research Summary: Dr. Moitra is a clinical psychologist. His research focuses on the application of acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions to support treatment engagement, particularly among people with HIV and those at risk for HIV infection. Dr. Moitra is interested in using acceptance and mindfulness skills to facilitate disclosure of stigmatized identities (e.g., HIV+, substance user) as a mechanism to enhance care engagement by challenging stigmatization fears and enhancing social support.
Caroline Silva | PhD
Assistant Professor | University of Rochester
Research Interest: Suicide prevention, highrisk populations, sexual minorities, military service members, and clinical outpatients
Research Summary: Broadly, her research has examined interpersonal risk factors for suicide via the lens of a contemporary theory of suicide—the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide—among highrisk populations, including sexual minorities, military service members, and clinical outpatients. Dr. Silva's current program of research is focused on integrating the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide with cultural determinants of health to inform the development and evaluation of suicide prevention interventions for at-risk Hispanics.
Research Summary: Broadly, her research has examined interpersonal risk factors for suicide via the lens of a contemporary theory of suicide—the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide—among highrisk populations, including sexual minorities, military service members, and clinical outpatients. Dr. Silva's current program of research is focused on integrating the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide with cultural determinants of health to inform the development and evaluation of suicide prevention interventions for at-risk Hispanics.
Mary Ellen Vajravelu | MD, MSHP
Assistant Professor | University of Pittsburgh
Research Interest: Pediatric type 2 diabetes and obesity, mHealth health behavior change interventions, health disparities
Research Summary: My research focuses on prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity and type 2 diabetes as well as the use of mobile health (mHealth) to improve patient care and health outcomes. With the support of an NIH NIDDK K23 Mentored Career Development Award, I am evaluating the impact of an mHealth-based physical activity intervention for adolescents and young adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. I also have an interest in the use of large datasets for assessing diabetes- and obesity-related health outcomes in pediatrics.
Research Summary: My research focuses on prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity and type 2 diabetes as well as the use of mobile health (mHealth) to improve patient care and health outcomes. With the support of an NIH NIDDK K23 Mentored Career Development Award, I am evaluating the impact of an mHealth-based physical activity intervention for adolescents and young adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. I also have an interest in the use of large datasets for assessing diabetes- and obesity-related health outcomes in pediatrics.
Jason Zucker | MD
Assistant Professor | Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Research Interest: Data science, behavioral science, implementation science, sexually transmitted infections, HIV prevention
Research Summary: My research focuses on optimizing the sexual health cascade of care for adolescents and young adults living with or at risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). My work is at the intersection of data science, behavioral science, and implementation science. I use large data sets to identify gaps in the cascade of care, patient-reported outcomes, and qualitative methods to better understand identified gaps and develop and implement novel technological interventions to reduce these gaps in care. These interventions focus on the patient, provider, and healthcare system and encourage a shared decision-making approach whenever possible. My goal is to design and implement mHealth interventions that bring us one step closer to ending the HIV and STI epidemics.
Research Summary: My research focuses on optimizing the sexual health cascade of care for adolescents and young adults living with or at risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). My work is at the intersection of data science, behavioral science, and implementation science. I use large data sets to identify gaps in the cascade of care, patient-reported outcomes, and qualitative methods to better understand identified gaps and develop and implement novel technological interventions to reduce these gaps in care. These interventions focus on the patient, provider, and healthcare system and encourage a shared decision-making approach whenever possible. My goal is to design and implement mHealth interventions that bring us one step closer to ending the HIV and STI epidemics.
