A team led by Renjie Zhao has been selected to receive support from the fourth round of grant funding from the Johns Hopkins Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratory for Aging Research, or JH AITC.
Totaling just over $2.3 million, this round will support a diverse set of research projects and technologies poised to improve the health and quality of life of millions of older adults and their caregivers. Zhao’s team will receive up to $200,000 in direct costs over a one-year period, as well as access to resources and mentorship from university experts.
Launched in 2021 with a $20 million grant from the National Institute on Aging, the JH AITC is a national hub for innovation that focuses on using artificial intelligence to improve the long-term health and independence of older adults.
Aging is associated with sarcopenia, or the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. To more quickly and accurately diagnose this condition, Zhao’s team is creating a portable, affordable tool that uses AI to analyze ultrasound signals from a smartphone and provide reliable muscle health data without the need for costly equipment or complex procedures.
“Our goal is to make muscle health assessments accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford expensive clinical tests,” Zhao says. “We believe that leveraging AI and smartphone technology can bring advanced diagnostics out of specialized clinics and into the hands of health care providers and individuals, ultimately improving early detection and intervention for muscle deterioration in older adults.”
Learn more about the other pilots funded by this round here.