The Technologies for Empowering Community Health (TECH) Initiative at Michigan State University has selected two research projects for pilot funding to advance community-engaged research and digital health innovation.
The funded projects will explore how technology can support improved health education, prevention services, and health outcomes among diverse and underserved populations.
Through its pilot funding opportunity, the TECH Initiative supports research led by Michigan State University or Henry Ford Health investigators that incorporates digital technology and engages community organizations or community members. Each selected project will receive up to $20,000 in funding for an 18-month period.
“The goal of the TECH Initiative is to foster community-engaged research that uses technology in innovative ways to meet health-related needs among diverse populations,” said the TECH Initiative co-director Dr. Carolyn Lauckner, associate professor in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health. “The two projects selected for funding help to further that goal by tackling urgent health challenges, incorporating novel digital technologies, and perhaps most importantly, working closely with community members and organizations to inform their research and design decisions.”
“We are excited to see how these projects further the research mission of TECH, impact communities, and lead to continued extramural research funding.” Dr. Bree Holtz, professor in the College of Communication Arts & Sciences, co-director of the TECH initiative.
Project HAVEN (HIV Awareness and Virtual Education Network)
Principal Investigator: Jamie K. Alan, PharmD, PhD, the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine ,
Co-investigators :Jay Knight, DNP, MSN, RN, Grand Valley State University, Jennie Knight, Executive Director of Grand Rapids LGBTQ Healthcare Consortium
Community Partner: Grand Rapids LGBTQ+ Healthcare Consortium
Project HAVEN is a community-informed digital health intervention designed to reduce HIV-related stigma and improve engagement with HIV prevention services, particularly among medically underserved populations.
The project will combine evidence-based HIV and Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) education, personalized HIV risk assessment, and an AI-enabled PrEP coach grounded in motivational interviewing and trauma-informed communication.
The Grand Rapids LGBTQ+ Healthcare Consortium will support the project through community engagement, educational resource development, user testing, and recruitment. Its existing HIV PrEP Toolkit will help inform the platform's prevention education resources.
Project HAVEN aims to provide a private, accessible, and supportive environment for individuals to explore HIV prevention information, prepare for conversations with healthcare providers, and access tools related to PrEP adherence, HIV testing, and appointments.
By integrating digital technology with trusted community partnerships, the project seeks to reduce stigma-related barriers and improve equitable access to HIV prevention services.
Refinement and Pilot Testing of a Community-Engaged Virtual Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing Intervention for Childhood Obesity Prevention in Rural and Underserved Families
Principal Investigator: Tsui-Sui Annie Kao, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP
Co-Investigator: Jiying Ling, PhD, MS, RN, FAAN
Institution: Michigan State University College of Nursing
Dr. Tsui-Sui Annie Kao will lead a pilot study exploring a fully virtual, family-based mindfulness meditation and motivational interviewing intervention designed to prevent childhood obesity among rural and underserved families.
Delivered through the Computerized Intervention Authoring System (CIAS), the intervention will engage approximately 25 to 35 child-caregiver dyads using interactive, child-centered strategies that promote healthy family routines.
Through community stakeholder collaboration and a two-cycle pilot test, the study will evaluate the platform's feasibility, usability, and acceptability while collecting preliminary data on family stress, functioning, mindful eating, and physical activity.
The project aims to inform the development of accessible, scalable digital interventions that support healthier outcomes for children and families.
Advancing Community-Engaged Digital Health Research
The two funded projects demonstrate the TECH Initiative's commitment to connecting innovative technology with community needs. By addressing HIV prevention and childhood obesity through collaborative research, the projects will help advance the initiative's mission of improving health outcomes and building a foundation for future extramural research funding.
Dr. Carolyn Lauckner is an Associate Professor and Director of Postdoctoral Training in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health. She conducts research centered on the development of behavioral interventions that utilize modern communication technologies to encourage the adoption of healthy behaviors. Dr. Bree Holtz is a professor in the Department of Advertising & Public Relations and the Director of the Ethics Institute at Michigan State University. She is also an American Telemedicine Association College Fellow and a 2022 Brandt Fellow.
September 22, 2026