Advancing digital health through applied research
Interdisciplinary research on wearable technology and food quality can advance preventive healthcare and nutrition-based interventions for people with chronic diseases
Sponsored by the University of Doha for Science and Technology
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The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) in Qatar is pioneering applied research in digital health, exploring innovative ways to reduce burdens on healthcare systems, promote healthy eating habits and improve health outcomes.
UDST supports Qatar’s National Health Strategy 2024-2030 by advancing preventive care, personalised medicine, and nutrition-based interventions. Research conducted at the university focuses on chronic diseases prevalent in the country, such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and obesity, and investigates lifestyle-related risk factors for these conditions.
The university brings together researchers across the fields of medicine, molecular biology, business and computer science to focus on interdisciplinary research, with an emphasis on developing innovative technologies that can understand how our bodies react to different nutrients and wearables to personalise health interventions.
UDST’s research projects in digital health are guided by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (good health and well-being), 6 (clean water and sanitation), and 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure). “The SDGs help us to direct our studies so we can focus on applying our research,” says Vladimir Brusic, vice-president for applied research and graduate studies at UDST. “Our ultimate goal is to prevent disease, reduce inequalities and keep healthcare affordable and sustainable.”
The mission is to find novel solutions to pressing problems, Brusic says. The university works closely with government, businesses and start-ups to accelerate innovation in health technology. The researchers look at a wide range of applications, such as real-time data analytics, multi-sensor wearable systems, digital health platforms and AI-driven alerts to support early detection of diseases, continuous care and personalised nutrition guidance.
The impact of this research on monitoring health and well-being can be significant. “Through real-time data transmission, someone can see their glucose levels relative to their activity that week and make personalised lifestyle changes. Not all patients with diabetes are the same,” Brusic explains.
Merging data from multiple sources and participants offers a holistic view of public health, which reduces the cost of healthcare for all. “We want to understand the decision-making environment around healthcare intervention – the whole ecosystem around managing health,” says Brusic. “Ultimately, we want a digital platform where we could record data and make recommendations based on someone’s behaviour for potential interventions.”
UDST operates its trials, which are supported by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, under a strong ethical and privacy-centred approach. The use of AI and Big Data in food science and public health is relatively new and evolving, and Brusic hopes the university can support regulations around research in this area while developing intellectual property that aligns with its ethical approach.
The university works with specialised laboratories in Qatar and partners with businesses such as Sidra Medicine and the Hamad Medical Corporation to advance research and enhance its impact. It also receives government grants to support research in the field. Additionally, students are encouraged to approach their capstone projects from a commercial viewpoint and seek funding to start business ventures based on their ideas. Such initiatives not only support Qatar’s wider ambitions around sustainable innovation but also align with its targets for boosting skills development.
about the University of Doha for Science and Technology.