Chaelin “Karen” Ra, PhD, MPH
Instructor of Medicine
Research Overview:
Dr. Ra leverages digital technology to explore and address the links between sleep, circadian rhythms, mental health, substance use, and cessation in underserved communities. Her research program focuses on creating innovative mHealth interventions that enhance tobacco cessation efforts by integrating sleep improvement strategies via sensors and smartphone apps. Dr. Ra is passionate about the potential of sleep health interventions to drive behavior change and reduce tobacco-related health disparities.
Research Interests:
- mHealth
- Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI)
- Health disparities
- Sleep/circadian rhythms
- Tobacco cessation
- Mental health
Current Studies:
Sleep N Quit.
This study investigates the use of mobile health (mHealth) technologies including sensors and smartphone apps to facilitate tobacco cessation and monitor physical activity, while investigating the bidirectional relationship to sleep and smoking. The aims for this study are to develop effective interventions utilizing mHealth to increase accessibility to tobacco cessation intervention and support in partnership with local Tobacco Quit Centers. This study is funded by the NIH. For more information please visit: reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10880898