Computer Science Faculty Get $988,114 Grant to Study American Indian Diabetes Self-Management
Computer Science Assoc. Prof. Juan Li is the principal investigator for a newly announced $988,114 grant from the National Science Foundation to study self-management of diabetes in Native Americans, along with co-investigator and Computer Science Assoc. Prof. Jun Kong.
FARGO, N.D., July 31, 2017 (Newswire.com) - Computer Science Assoc. Prof. Juan Li is the principal investigator for a newly announced grant from the National Science Foundation to study self-management of diabetes in Native Americans, along with co-investigator and Computer Science Assoc. Prof. Jun Kong. Siobhan Wescott, an NDSU Asst. Prof. of Practice in Public Health, and Donald Warne, a Professor and Chair of the Public Health Department, are also co-investigators on the grant.
The epidemic of diabetes in American Indian communities is a serious public health challenge. As daily diabetes care is primarily handled by the patients and their families, the effectiveness of diabetes control is largely impacted by self-care strategies and behaviors. This grant enables a proactive diabetes self-care mobile platform based on the unique socioeconomic, cultural and geographical status of AI patients living in a reservation community in the upper Midwest. The mobile platform connects American Indian diabetic patients to their medical devices, healthcare team and similar patients, and offers personalized predictions, recommendations and social networking regarding diabetes care. It transforms diabetes management from the traditional reactive and hospital-centered care to preventive, proactive, evidence-based, and person-centered care.
It leverages the research expertise that we have in the department and establishes a powerful partnership with researchers in the health professions application area. Drs. Juan Li and Jun Kong have shown great diligence and persistence in attracting funding for their important research programs. It's gratifying that their efforts and expertise are affirmed with this grant.
Kendall Nygard, Chair, NDSU Computer Science Department
The goal of the project is to develop an integrated, accessible, cost-effective solution for improved diabetes self-management and social networking for American Indian patients. Considering the quasi-ubiquitous use of cell phones in most American Indian communities, a cell phone-based platform is proposed to provide smart and personalized service.
"It leverages the research expertise that we have in the department and establishes a powerful partnership with researchers in the health professions application area," commented Computer Science Department Chair Kendall Nygard. "Drs. Juan Li and Jun Kong have shown great diligence and persistence in attracting funding for their important research programs. It's gratifying that their efforts and expertise are affirmed with this grant."
The project benefits from the combined experience of the investigators in multiple related areas. Dr. Li's expertise lies in eHealth, knowledge management, social networking, and semantic web technologies. She has published in the field of disease prediction, smart eHealth mobile application, eHealth cloud, eHealth security, and healthcare social networking. Dr. Kong's expertise lies in Human computer interaction, especially context-aware mobile interaction. Dr. Warne's expertise lies in family medicine, public health, American Indian Health and disparities research. Dr. Wescott's expertise lies in Native American health education and American Indian health. Especially, being American Indian, both Dr. Warne and Dr. Wescott have extensive experience providing diabetes education for American Indians.
This project will provide valuable research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students, especially from underrepresented populations.
Source: NDSU Computer Science
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