Rajani Sadasivam

Rajani Sadasivam is a tenured Professor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School within the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, with a secondary appointment in Psychiatry. Their research integrates computer engineering and behavioral science to address behavioral health challenges, particularly tobacco use cessation and health equity. They hold positions at the T.H. Chan School of Medicine (Health Informatics & Implementation Science Division and Psychiatry/Behavioral Sciences), and the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (Masters in Clinical Investigation and Population Health Sciences).

• Education: University of Madras (BS in Electronics & Comm Engineering), University of Alabama (MS/PhD in Computer Engineering), and NIH mHealth Summer Institute (2012).

Research focuses on digital health innovations like computer-tailored health communication (CTHC), mobile health apps, and peer recruitment systems. Their work addresses tobacco-related disparities in disadvantaged populations, supported by NIH, PCORI, and NSF grants. Notable projects include machine learning-based adaptive systems (Adapt2Quit), e-referral systems, and global studies in Vietnam.

Key grants include R01CA240551 (Adapt2Quit), R01TW010647 (mHealth in Vietnam), and NSF/IIS-1722708 (context-aware personalization). They are Methods Co-Lead of the NIH-funded ISC3 Center and a member of its Health Equity Taskforce. Mentoring focuses on digital health, tobacco cessation, and implementation science, guiding PhD students, postdocs, and junior faculty.

Awards include Fellow status in the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Their work spans implementation science, lung cancer screening, pediatric asthma monitoring, and physical activity for cancer survivors. They actively contribute to societies like the Society of Research in Nicotine and Tobacco.