Ravi Karkar

Ravi Karkar is an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS). He co-directs the Health Tech for the People (HT4P) initiative and contributes to the stakeholder engagement core of MassAITC. His research focuses on designing human-centered tools to empower individuals in managing their health through data-driven insights. Karkar holds a PhD in Computer Science & Engineering from the University of Washington, alongside multiple fellowships and awards, including the STRIDE and PIT Faculty Fellowships (2024).

• Education:
  • PhD, Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington (2020)
  • MS, Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington (2016)
  • MS, Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology (2012)
  • BE, Computer Engineering, Gujarat University (2011)

Research Interests: Karkar’s work emphasizes tools for chronic disease management (e.g., IBS, cirrhosis, depression), self-tracking technologies, and ethical design of health applications. He explores collaborative care models, personalized interventions, and the intersection of HCI with clinical practices. Recent projects include tools for Alzheimer’s disease support, ethics in healthcare technology, and novel diagnostics like the Beacon device for hepatic encephalopathy.

Publications: His research spans health informatics, wearable devices, and chronic condition management, with notable contributions in CHI, DIS, and IEEE-BSN. Key themes include self-experimentation frameworks, patient self-monitoring, and interdisciplinary healthcare innovation.

• Awards & Recognition:
  • Best Paper Award (Top 1%, CHI 2025)
  • Three-Sixty Fellowship for CSE
  • mHealth Training Institute Fellow (2023)

Advising & Grants: Karkar mentors PhD students (e.g., Abhay Sheel Anand, Itir Sayar) and has secured grants through initiatives like STRIDE and PIT. His work bridges academic research with clinical practice, emphasizing real-world impact.

Labs & Teams: Co-leads HT4P, fostering equitable health tech design, and collaborates with MassAITC to engage stakeholders in healthcare innovation.