Innovation and Research

Not quite dementia, but more than a “senior moment,” mild cognitive impairment affects the lives of thousands of Americans. Juleen Rodakowski, an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, is developing ways to help.

Working with the National Science Foundation’s United States Antarctic Program, scientists from Pitt collected data that highlights the potential for psychological symptoms and conditions that degrade crew performance, increase conflict and jeopardize mission success.

Imagine a tool that looks at a student’s specific interests, experiences and goals and lights the way along a personalized path. Pitt is leading the discussion on how advanced analytics can create such tools — and lead to student success.

Voter-verifiable paper ballots and changes to the voter registration process were among the recommendations Pitt’s David Hickton recently offered to the Pennsylvania House and Senate.

The National Science Foundation recently awarded a team led by engineer Heng Huang $1.18 million to use machine learning to predict postoperative complications and patient outcomes.

Stiff arteries could lead to “silent” brain damage and therefore dementia risk, a 15-year study led by researchers at Pitt Public Health found. And that risk factor could be preventable.

Pitt's Charles Jonassaint led a team that developed the Painimation tablet-based app. The innovation helps patients visually describe where, how much and what kind of pain they feel.

A team led by Pitt engineer Piervincenzo Rizzo is developing a sensor aimed at preventing corrosion-induced pipeline breaks. The technology could have other impacts, including measuring eye pressure in glaucoma patients.

Ann Donnelly, a research specialist in the Department of Biomedical Informatics, was part of a team that created the first-ever artificial enzyme capable of working in a living organism.

For centuries, people have speculated about the mind-body connection: Does one really affect the other? Neurobiologist Peter Strick’s research on brain pathways may hold answers.