Reading Between the Lines: Using Multiple Information Modalities for Robust Translational Digital Biomarkers

Abstract: Digital biomarkers allow us to provide more quantifiable metrics for tracking therapeutic interventions and the progression of disease. Diseases, such as those of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, not only impact an individual's quality of life but impose a monetary burden as well. However, despite decades of research, we have yet to truly understand the progression and manifestation of a disease within an individual and across populations. The lack of understanding has a material impact---for instance, 90% of drug development conducted in laboratories fail to pass human trials. Therefore, in this talk, I introduce computational and electromechanical design tools for capturing translational digital biomarkers at various scales. I evaluate the efficacy of these tools through ethology and statistics, thereby facilitating a better understanding of an individual, their behaviors, and their health.

Bio: Ceara Byrne is a Computing Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT interested in building implantable and ingestible devices. She collaborates with Dr. Giovanni Traverso in Mechanical Engineering for research focusing on designing and developing robust medical and veterinary translational devices for capturing and quantifying novel insights into activities and behaviors of individuals. Ceara obtained her PhD at Georgia Institute of Technology, advised by Dr. Melody Jackson and Dr. Thad Starner, as a member of the Animal Computer Interaction lab and the BrainLab. Her PhD research investigated how aspects of canine temperament can be detected from canine interactions with instrumented dog toys. This work was supported by DARPA and completed in collaboration with researchers at PennVet's Working Dog Center and Auburn University's Canine Performance Sciences Center. Ceara is a 2020 Foley Scholar award winner, a 2019 EECS Rising Star, and received the College of Computing (GT) Outstanding Researcher award in 2015. Her work has been published in IMWUT, ACI, IJHCS, and veterinary science journals. Ceara also received her MS and BS from Georgia Institute of Technology in Human-Computer Interaction and Industrial Design, where she focused on designing wearable and assistive technologies. Beyond research, she conducts outreach at local high schools, such as Girls Who Code at Midtown High School in Atlanta, GA, she mentors undergraduate and masters students from universities across the world, and is interested in making the world just a little bit better for her daughter.

A pizza lunch for attendees will be available at 11:45 a.m. in Computer Science Building, Room 150/151.