Research and Informatics

Biomedical Informatics Research

• Middle Tennessee Cancer Survivorship Network - CanConnect.org (PhD Research)
• Patient-Caregiver Integrated Network (Masters Research)

Research Interests and Methodologies

• Participatory Action Research/Community-based Participatory Research
• Qualitative Methodologies
• Online communities and social networking
• Social capital and social support
• Human-Computer Interface Design

Education and Background

Jacob graduated summa cum laude in computer science from Princeton University in 2003, and received his PhD degree in Biomedical Informatics at Vanderbilt University in 2009. His research interests include emerging web-based technologies, human-computer interaction, social capital, action research methodologies, and qualitative research methodologies.

As an undergraduate at Princeton University, he led successful design projects in social networking, online tactile (touch-based) communication, and juggling-controlled, computer-based musical instruments. He enjoyed exploring the creative use of technology to facilitate expression and rich communication in everyday life.

As a graduate student at Vanderbilt University, Jacob has continued these interests by developing novel approaches for social support and collaboration through online communities. His PhD research focused on the design of an online community for cancer survivorship in middle Tennessee, working collaboratively with individuals and organizations in the local community.

As a post-doctoral fellow with The Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy at Vanderbilt, Jacob's work focuses on creativity, community, and technology in supporting the development of the creative campus initiative at Vanderbilt.