Aloha!

The Hawaii Digital Health Lab is a cutting-edge research laboratory located at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, housed in the Pacific Ocean Science and Technology (POST) building. Directed by Dr. Peter Washington, the lab specializes in developing data science methods to support machine learning and crowdsourcing for precision health.

The lab focuses on creating precision digital diagnostics and interventions that leverage artificial intelligence, human-in-the-loop computing, and deep learning technologies. Their research aims to improve healthcare outcomes through innovative computational approaches that bridge the gap between technology and patient care.

As part of the University of Hawaii system, the lab collaborates with various departments and external institutions to advance the field of digital health. Their multidisciplinary approach combines expertise in computer science, data science, and healthcare to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in modern medicine.

The lab actively recruits talented researchers at all levels, including PhD, masters, undergraduate, and high school students, providing opportunities for the next generation of digital health innovators to gain hands-on experience in groundbreaking research.

The Hawaii Digital Health Lab conducts research at the intersection of healthcare, artificial intelligence, and data science. Their primary focus areas include machine learning for precision health, crowdsourcing methodologies for healthcare data collection, and the development of digital diagnostic tools that can identify health conditions earlier and more accurately.

One major area of research involves AI-powered diagnostics, where the lab develops computational models that can analyze medical data to detect potential health conditions. This includes work on breast cancer prediction using mammograms, mental health screening tools, and developmental disorder identification systems.

The lab also explores human-centered computing approaches to healthcare, investigating how human input and feedback can improve the accuracy and fairness of AI systems. This human-in-the-loop methodology ensures that automated health tools remain sensitive to the diverse needs of different patient populations.

Additionally, the lab is involved in research on health equity, working to ensure that AI-powered health tools perform accurately across diverse demographic groups. This includes projects funded by the NIH AIM-AHEAD program and partnerships with organizations like the Hawaii Data Science Institute.

The Hawaii Digital Health Lab receives funding from multiple prestigious sources, reflecting the significance and quality of their research. One of their most notable grants is a $2.18 million NIH New Innovator Award, which supports groundbreaking research in AI-powered detection of health conditions.

The lab has also secured funding from the Ola HAWAII Pilot Projects Program, supporting collaborative research in building fair breast cancer prediction models using mammograms in partnership with the AI Precision Health Institute and Shepherd Research Lab.

Additional funding sources include the Center for Pacific Innovations, Knowledge, and Opportunities (PIKO), the Hawaii Data Science Institute, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud. These diverse funding streams enable the lab to pursue multiple research directions simultaneously.

The breadth of funding from both government agencies and private sector partners demonstrates the wide-ranging applicability of the lab's research and its potential impact on healthcare delivery across Hawaii and beyond.

The Hawaii Digital Health Lab has achieved numerous milestones in the field of digital health research. Their team placed 3rd in the NIH AIM-AHEAD 2023 Health Equity Data Challenge, designing an AI system for predicting breast cancer stage in biopsy histology images from high-risk patients.

The lab has had multiple papers accepted to prestigious conferences, including ICML 2023 workshops. Research topics have covered personalized prediction of recurrent stress events using self-supervised learning on multimodal time-series data, demonstrating the lab's expertise in advanced machine learning techniques.

Dr. Peter Washington's reception of the $2.18M NIH New Innovator Award is among the lab's most significant achievements, recognizing the potential of their research to transform how health conditions are detected and treated through artificial intelligence.

The lab continues to publish in top-tier academic venues and attract talented researchers from diverse backgrounds, building a strong track record of contributions to the fields of digital health, AI, and precision medicine.

The Hawaii Digital Health Lab actively recruits students at multiple academic levels, including PhD, masters, undergraduate, and even high school students. This inclusive approach provides opportunities for aspiring researchers at various stages of their academic careers to contribute to meaningful health technology research.

Prospective PhD and masters students interested in joining the lab should have backgrounds in computer science, data science, biomedical informatics, or related fields. Experience with machine learning, deep learning, or human-computer interaction is highly valued but not always required.

Undergraduate students can gain valuable research experience by participating in lab projects, often leading to published papers and conference presentations. The lab's location at the University of Hawaii at Manoa provides access to a vibrant academic community and resources.

Interested students should review the lab's current research projects and publications to identify areas of alignment with their interests. Reaching out directly to discuss potential research opportunities is encouraged, as the lab regularly expands its team to support new projects and funding initiatives.

The Hawaii Digital Health Lab is situated within the Pacific Ocean Science and Technology (POST) building on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus. This strategic location places the lab at the heart of one of the Pacific region's premier research universities.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa, located in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, offers a unique research environment that combines world-class academic facilities with the natural beauty and cultural richness of Hawaii. This setting attracts talented researchers and students from around the world.

Being part of the University of Hawaii system provides the lab with access to extensive computing resources, collaborative research networks, and interdisciplinary partnerships across departments including computer science, medicine, public health, and data science.

The Honolulu location also positions the lab to address health equity challenges specific to Pacific Island communities, ensuring that digital health innovations are developed with consideration for diverse populations and underserved communities in the region.