Genomic data in the All of Us research program
Biobank, M. B., et al.
Nature, 2024 , 627(8003) , pp. 340-346
We helped build a massive genetic database from over 245,000 diverse Americans to ensure future medical treatments work for everyone, not just a select few. This means your doctor could someday prescribe medications tailored specifically to your genetic makeup, reducing side effects and improving outcomes.
genomics precision medicine All of Us health equity
Impact: Establishes foundational genomic resources for diverse population health research
Prevalence of 12 common health conditions in sexual and gender minority participants in the all of us research program
Tran, N. K., Lunn, M. R., Schulkey, C. E., Tesfaye, S., Nambiar, S., Chatterjee, S., Mo, Y.
JAMA Network Open, 2023 , 6(7) , pp. e2324969
We analyzed health data from thousands of LGBTQ+ individuals and found they face significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other conditions compared to the general population. This research helps doctors and policymakers understand why LGBTQ+ people often receive worse healthcare and what we can do to fix it.
health disparities LGBTQ+ health All of Us social determinants
Impact: Informs targeted interventions for underserved LGBTQ+ communities
Routing and staffing in emergency departments: A multiclass queueing model with workload dependent service times
Nambiar, S., Mayorga, M. E., Liu, Y.
IISE Transactions on Healthcare Systems Engineering, 2023 , 13(1) , pp. 46-61
We created a mathematical model that shows how overworked nurses in emergency rooms lead to longer wait times and worse patient care. Hospitals can use this tool to better schedule staff and assign patients to nurses, potentially saving lives during busy periods.
operations research emergency medicine queueing theory healthcare systems
📚 3 citations
Impact: Provides actionable insights for ED resource allocation during surge conditions
Assessing the impact of multicomponent interventions on colorectal cancer screening through simulation
Hicklin, K., O'Leary, M. C., Nambiar, S., Mayorga, M. E., Wheeler, S. B., Davis, M. M., Lich, K. H.
Preventive Medicine, 2022 , 162 , pp. 107126
We tested different ways to get more people screened for colon cancer - from mailed test kits to patient navigators who guide you through the process. Our computer simulations help health systems choose the most effective and affordable approaches for their communities.
cancer screening simulation modeling health policy preventive medicine
📚 5 citations
Impact: Guides policy decisions on cancer screening program design
Dynamic simulation of social media challenge participation
Khasawneh, A., Chalil Madathil, K., Taaffe, K. M., Zinzow, H., Ponathil, A., Chalil Madathil, S., Nambiar, S., Rosopa, P. J.
Journal of Computational Social Science, 2022 , 5(2) , pp. 1637-1662
Remember dangerous viral challenges like the Tide Pod Challenge? We built computer models to understand how these harmful trends spread on social media and what makes teens participate. This helps platforms and parents better protect young people from risky online behaviors.
social media computational social science public health system dynamics
📚 3 citations
Impact: Informs social media platform policies on health-related content
Triply stochastic sequential assignment problem with the uncertainty in worker survival
Nambiar, S., Nikolaev, A., Pasiliao, E.
Optimization Letters, 2022 , 16(8) , pp. 2469-2482
We solved a complex math problem about assigning workers to tasks when everything is uncertain - the work itself, when it arrives, and whether workers will even show up. This helps businesses and emergency services better plan their staffing during unpredictable times like natural disasters.
optimization stochastic processes operations research mathematical modeling
📚 2 citations
Impact: Contributes to mathematical foundations of resource allocation under uncertainty
Objective measures of workload in healthcare: a narrative review
Fishbein, D., Nambiar, S., McKenzie, K., Mayorga, M., Miller, K., Tran, K., Capan, M.
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 2020 , 33(1) , pp. 1-17
We reviewed all the ways to measure how overworked healthcare staff are - from counting tasks to monitoring stress hormones. Understanding workload is crucial because exhausted healthcare workers are more likely to make mistakes that harm patients.
healthcare workforce workload measurement patient safety systematic review
📚 62 citations
Impact: Establishes framework for workload measurement in healthcare settings
Mailed FIT (fecal immunochemical test), navigation or patient reminders? Using microsimulation to inform selection of interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening in Medicaid enrollees
Davis, M. M., Nambiar, S., Mayorga, M. E., Sullivan, E., Hicklin, K., O'Leary, M. C., Lind, B. K.
Preventive Medicine, 2019 , 129 , pp. 105836
For people on Medicaid who often skip cancer screenings, we compared three approaches: mailing test kits to their homes, having navigators help them schedule appointments, or sending reminder messages. Our findings help clinics choose the most effective method for their limited budgets.
cancer screening health disparities Medicaid microsimulation
Impact: Directly informs Medicaid policy on cancer screening outreach
Estimating the impact of insurance expansion on colorectal cancer and related costs in North Carolina: A population-level simulation analysis
Lich, K. H., O'Leary, M. C., Nambiar, S., Townsley, R. M., Mayorga, M. E., Hicklin, K., Wheeler, S. B.
Preventive Medicine, 2019 , 129 , pp. 105847
We calculated what would happen if North Carolina expanded Medicaid coverage - thousands fewer people would develop or die from colon cancer over 20 years. This research gives lawmakers concrete numbers about how insurance coverage literally saves lives.
health policy insurance cancer prevention simulation modeling
Impact: Contributed to state-level healthcare policy discussions
On scheduling a photolithography area containing cluster tools
Madathil, S. C., Nambiar, S., Mason, S. J., Kurz, M. E.
Computers & Industrial Engineering, 2018 , 121 , pp. 177-188
We developed smart scheduling software for factories that make computer chips and medical devices. Better factory scheduling means critical medical equipment gets manufactured faster and cheaper, ultimately helping hospitals serve more patients.
industrial engineering scheduling optimization manufacturing
📚 13 citations
Impact: Optimizes production of critical medical devices and diagnostics
Low-cost sensor system design for in-home physical activity tracking
Nambiar, S., Nikolaev, A., Greene, M., Cavuoto, L., Bisantz, A.
IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine, 2016 , 4 , pp. 1-6
We built an affordable activity tracker using simple sensors that costs a fraction of commercial fitness devices. This makes it possible for low-income seniors and people with disabilities to monitor their health at home without expensive equipment.
digital health sensors health equity wearables
📚 16 citations
Impact: Enables accessible health monitoring for underserved populations
Towards evaluating and enhancing the reach of online health forums for smoking cessation
Stearns, M., Nambiar, S., Nikolaev, A., Semenov, A., McIntosh, S.
Network Modeling Analysis in Health Informatics and Bioinformatics, 2014 , 3 , pp. 11-21
We studied how people trying to quit smoking connect and support each other in online forums. Understanding these social networks helps us design better online communities that actually help people kick the habit for good.
digital health smoking cessation network analysis public health
📚 26 citations
Impact: Pioneers social network approaches to public health interventions