Team Biographies

Team Role:  Principal Investigator

 

Dr. Sandborg has dedicated the last 30 years to taking care of chronically ill children and adolescents and teaching young physicians about caring for young people with juvenile arthritis, systemic lupus, vasculitis and the many other diseases in this category.  She has worked to improve not only the medical care for youth ­giving them the opportunity to reach adulthood with as little physical disability as possible­ but has also worked to improve their emotional and cognitive health in order to achieve the best quality of life as they mature.  She is a recognized leader in the field of pediatric rheumatology:  she has been the principle architect of a national research network in pediatric rheumatology (Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance, CARRA); and has participated in leadership roles in multiple organizations including the American Board of Pediatrics and American College of Rheumatology and has been a strong patient advocate in the Arthritis Foundation.  Her research has spanned laboratory investigations, clinical treatment trials, and health and medical education policy.

 

 

Creative Director of Comprehensive Care

Johnson & Johnson

 

Team Role:  Past Principal Investigator, Strategic Advisor

 

Ms. Nugent is a part of the J&J Global Strategic Design Office located in New York City. Her focus is to improve patient experiences within the Diabetes and Vision Care Franchises by fostering a holistic design approach for new devices, services, and packaging. Prior to J&J, she was the primary investigator for LIVING PROFILES and core faculty member of the Media Design Program (MDP) at Art Center College of Design. Defining human-centered research in the MDP she taught design methods for primary research, analysis, and interpretations. Outcomes of the year-long course promoted innovation across media types, experimental communication, and functional prototypes that addressed needs of a defined population. For twelve years Lisa was principal and founding partner of ReVerb, a highly acclaimed design and branding firm in Los Angeles. Clients included A&M Records, Nike, IBM and Sony Electronics. Winner of the Chrysler Design Innovation Award in 1995, her work has also been recognized in numerous national and international exhibitions, competitions and publications. She is a graduate of California Institute of the Arts.

 

 

Instructor of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology

Stanford University School of Medicine

 

Team Role:  Pediatrician, specializing in teens with chronic rheumatic diseases

 

Dr. Chira’s previous research has focused on improving outcomes such as socialization and quality of life for teens with chronic rheumatic diseases using an online chat room support group. He views technology as a way to optimize independence and self-care for teens, which then can help transition them from pediatric care to an adult provider. He understands that health services research needs to focus on patients’ needs and expectations in order to have maximal effect and impact.

 

Diane Nugent, M.D.

Dr. Nugent serves as medical director of CHOC Hematology and Blood & Donor Services and chief of the PSF Division of Hematology. She specializes in all aspects of hematology, bone marrow failure, anemias, immune disorders, bleeding and clotting disorders. She is specifically interested in blood disorders or bone marrow failure, bleeding and clotting disorders, and white cell and immune deficiencies.

 

 

Dr. Soni specializes in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology. In addition to his research studies, Dr. Soni also practices with PSF Division of Hematology. His special areas of interest include Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

 

 

Director of Research, Humanities and Design Sciences

Art Center College of Design

Principal, ResearchCenteredDesign

 

Team Role:  Expert in design research

 

Mr. Donahue's current research includes projects that explore the impact of long- term health conditions on decision making and wellness, the creation of community-centered approaches to disaster relief in socio-economic challenged communities, and an examination of the use of design as a factor on the equality of justice in U.S. courtroom litigation. Sean's work has been foundational in identifying where and how design research is able to contribute to improving issues surrounding the undeserved, at-risk and non-populous communities. Sean's research has contributed to Federal legislation on the ADA, has been awarded several utility and design patents and has been awarded internationally for its innovative approach to inquiry. Sean Donahue has lectured and published extensively on the practice of media design and design research. Most recently he has lectured or held workshops at The New School, University of Kansas, IDEO, Royal College of Art and North Carolina State University where he was also the 2004 Designer-in-Residence. Recent research has been published by the University of Cambridge, Metropolis Books, MIT Press and ID magazine.

 

 

Instructor, designer

Consultant

 

Team Role:  Designer, researcher

 

Ms. Park is specifically interested in bridging the divide between human-centered research and translating them into real world designs and applications. She comes to Los Angeles by way of New York where she graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in graphic design. She received her MFA from Art Center College of Design, where her thesis grounded heavily in research, involved using objects as storytelling devices and creating environments as interface. Her current projects include conducting research with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation looking at adult diabetics and their systems of support to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation project that looks to engage teenagers with chronic conditions. Tina is also a teacher in one of Art Center's "Art of Research" tracks which introduces research techniques to first year students.

 

 

Instructor, designer

Consultant

 

Team Role:  Designer, research consultant   

 

Mr. Shultz is a recent graduate of Art Center College of Design’s Media Design Program. He is a working designer, researcher, and instructor in Los Angeles. He currently teaches Art of Research, an ongoing undergraduate class introducing research ideas and skills to Art Center’s first year students. Additionally, he is a design research consultant for several medical research studies. He is building a practice based on the idea of designers observing the world through research.