Our center has been renewed for another five years by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This renewal is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, students, and staff who have contributed to the success of the center.
The goals and mission remain unchanged. This funding will allow the center to continue its mission of developing cutting-edge technology for underserved communities.
The specific vision of PATHS-UP is to change the paradigm for the health of underserved populations by developing revolutionary and cost-effective technologies and systems at the point-of-care. The center’s initial focus is on developing technologies and systems to address chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. These diseases are particularly devastating in underserved communities in the United States, where they are contracted at higher rates than the national average. Chronic diseases increasingly cause disability, even for younger people, and can lead to poor quality of life and high healthcare expenditures.
To address this grand challenge, PATHS-UP has adopted four pillars: research, workforce development, culture of inclusion, and innovation. Through these pillars, the center aims to advance personalized medicine, point-of-care diagnostics and monitoring, and smart healthcare delivery. The center’s research agenda spans multiple disciplines, including engineering, computer science, and the medical sciences. PATHS-UP is committed to training the next generation of diverse leaders in health technology and promoting diversity in its workforce.
The center’s culture of inclusion has been critical to its success. PATHS-UP is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for all its members, regardless of their backgrounds or identities. The center’s work has been shaped by community input and feedback, and the center works closely with community-based organizations to ensure that its technologies are accessible and relevant to the people they serve.
PATHS-UP innovation extends beyond the lab. The center works with industry partners to bring its technologies to market, and it collaborates with other research centers to share best practices and leverage resources. PATHS-UP also encourages entrepreneurship and provides mentorship and support to researchers interested in starting their own companies.