Qiping Fan, assistant professor of epidemiology in the Clemson University Department of Public Health Sciences, has received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award for $3 million from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to develop an artificial intelligence-powered (AI) care planning system to provide personalized guidance for individuals in need of health care resources and dementia care services.
Over the course of the three-year project, Fan and a team of interdisciplinary researchers will develop, evaluate and deploy OleraCare Navigator, an AI-powered technology for elder care planning. OleraCare Navigator will provide individuals and caregivers with on-demand information about accessible and affordable health care services for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), as well as local, state and federal aid programs.
As principal investigator, Fan will ensure the project adheres to rigorous scientific and ethical standards as she leads its human subjects research.
“Many elderly Americans miss out on financial aid opportunities because they do not know how to apply for resources or are unaware of food, housing and health care assistance services,” said Fan. “OleraCare Navigator has the potential to improve the quality of life for elderly populations by connecting individuals who face complex care demands and frequent access and affordability issues to critical resources and health care services.”
The platform will utilize AI-powered “agents” to conduct needs assessments, identify resources and develop personalized care plans. Agent-generated feedback will be reviewed and optimized by licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) through a machine learning technique called reinforcement learning with human feedback (RLHF). Additionally, agents will be integrated into a novel Multi-Agent System (MAS) and intelligent User Interface (UI) with the ability to solve complex problems and simulate dynamic human conversations.
At the project’s conclusion, OleraCare Navigator will be service-ready, commercially viable and positioned to improve the health and well-being of elderly individuals nationwide by providing caregivers with comprehensive, personalized guidance on accessible and affordable health care services and assistance opportunities.
“I am incredibly proud of Dr. Fan’s work to identify gaps in elder care and address the needs of individuals with dementia,” said Leslie Hossfeld, dean of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences. “This research is actively advancing the College’s mission to build people and communities through the innovative use of emerging technologies, and I am eager to see how she continues to make a positive difference in the health care landscape throughout South Carolina and beyond.”
In alignment with Clemson University’s strategic plan, Clemson Elevate, which emphasizes health innovation and the pursuit of Small Business Innovation Research contracts to stimulate technological advancements and economic development across South Carolina, SBIR grants are awarded to industry companies and academic institutions to advance technological innovation and encourage the commercialization of research discoveries.
Fan was also the recipient of the University’s 2024 Industry Engagement and Seed Grant Program award for her project in collaboration with Olera, Inc., Increasing Affordability and Accessibility of Senior Care for Dementia Family Caregivers.
The Department of Public Health Sciences is a part of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences. Established in July 2016, CBSHS is a 21st-century, land-grant college that combines work in nine disciplines – communication; nursing; parks, recreation and tourism management; political science; psychology; public health sciences; sociology, anthropology and criminal justice – to further its mission of “building people and communities” in South Carolina and beyond.
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