Michele L. Patel, PhD, Instructor, Department of Medicine, Stanford University

Research Description: Dr. Michele Patel’s research focuses on optimizing digital weight loss interventions to prevent and treat obesity among adults. In particular, she is interested in experimentally manipulating behavioral components (e.g., self-monitoring strategies and types of goals) to determine how to improve engagement in digital interventions and make them more effective. Dr. Patel also examines predictors and moderators of weight loss success, including behavioral and psychosocial characteristics of patients, in order to better understand which obesity treatments are best for whom. Her work is currently funding by a 5-year NIH/NIDDK K23 career development award. To answer her research questions, she uses methods such as RCTs, factorial designs, mixed methods, signal detection analysis, systematic reviews, and the multiphase optimization strategy (“MOST”) framework. Across her work, Dr. Patel is driven to find scalable solutions that are accessible, low cost, and potent. Dr. Patel collaborates extensively with many members of the NORC.