Robert Kaplan, associate director for behavioral and social sciences research at the National Institutes of Health, discussed the role of wireless technology in biomedical research and healthcare delivery in his lecture “Bringing the Laboratory to the People” on April 13 in Arts and Letters 201. The lecture is the first in a new series, “Innovation and Creativity in Science,” offered by San Diego State University’s College of Sciences. Its purpose is to promote awareness of interdisciplinary approaches to stimulate innovation and creativity across the university. About the lecture Kaplan’s lecture will consider how the wireless revolution is affecting research in fields ranging from geography to pathology.
It also explored efforts by NIH and the National Science Foundation to build programs that will evaluate both the benefits and possible risks of these new technologies. “Mobile and wireless (mHealth), which includes a range of technologies from cellular phones to wireless ensors, has developed at an exponential pace in recent years,” Kaplan said. “However, the integration and translation of these cutting-edge technologies has lagged behind. These technologies may provide the potential to advance research, prevent disease, improve treatment and lower health care costs in ways previously unimaginable.” About Kaplan Kaplan received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from SDSU and is being honored this month with a Monty Award, which recognizes the achievements of outstanding SDSU alumni annually. Kaplan is also a former SDSU faculty member. At the University of California, Riverside, Kaplan earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology. “Bob is a prolific author with broad expertise that cuts across preventative medicine, health policy, economic, psychology, mathematics, computer sciences and sociology,” said Stanley Maloy, dean of SDSU’s College of Sciences. “This is a great opportunity to hear from a person with deep insight into where the government is going over the upcoming years. The new technology he will discuss will impact all of our lives in many ways.”