A groundbreaking effort to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to slow—and potentially reverse—Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in Hawaiʻi is underway at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Katy Tarrit, assistant professor in the Department of Information and Computer Sciences, is leading this new, locally focused 18-month research initiative.
The project aims to develop a novel AI-powered approach that is culturally tailored to Hawaiʻi’s diverse population and integrates multiple physiological data sources—including brain activity and other biomarkers—to better understand and combat Alzheimer’s disease. By identifying subtle physiological patterns that clinicians might not easily observe, Tarrit’s team hopes to guide more accurate, personalized interventions that can slow or prevent disease progression.
“Our goal is to bring forward an approach that reflects the unique cultural, social and biological context of our islands,” said Tarrit. “By integrating multiple types of health data, we hope to uncover new insights that can improve prevention, treatment and the overall quality of life for Hawaiʻi’s families and kūpuna.”
The project received $60,000 in funding from the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) through its Medical Research Program, supported by the Ingeborg V.F. McKee Fund. The program advances scientific research on Alzheimer’s disease, juvenile diabetes, heart disease and cancer. According to HCF, this effort aligns with its mission to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s medical research community and improve long-term health outcomes across the islands.
“We are deeply grateful to the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation for enabling this important effort to address Alzheimer’s disease in our islands,” Tarrit added. “Their support helps us harness AI and technology in ways that honor Hawaiʻi’s multicultural identity and deliver effective health solutions shaped by local needs and values.”
This initiative contributes to a growing statewide commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies—such as AI, multimodal data analytics and digital health tools—to address major public health challenges affecting local families and kūpuna.
The Department of Information and Computer Sciences is part of UH Mānoa’s College of Natural Sciences.
