Director's Welcome

Digital health and technology-driven interventions are transforming how we understand, prevent, and manage chronic diseases, particularly in underserved and rural communities. At the Center for Digital and Technological Innovation in Healthcare (CDTIH), our mission is to harness cutting-edge technologies — ranging from artificial intelligence, virtual reality, wearable technologies, mobile health platforms, app development — to improve patient outcomes and advance healthcare access in California’s Central Valley and beyond.

Our work depends on the synergy of multidisciplinary collaboration. Clinicians, Engineers, Data scientists, Entrepreneurs, and Community partners come together to design, implement, and evaluate innovative solutions that are both effective and accessible. This integration of technical expertise and clinical insight is the hallmark of our research, education, and community engagement initiatives.

At CDTIH, we embrace a set of core values that guide everything we do:

• We champion interdisciplinary collaboration. Each project is built on the partnership between clinical and technical experts, ensuring that innovation is both scientifically rigorous and clinically relevant.
• We treat health data as a shared, precious resource. Data is used responsibly and ethically, always prioritizing the benefit of patients and communities.
• We are team-oriented. We collaborate across departments, share resources, and support each other to amplify our collective impact.
• We foster transparency and openness. Our ideas, methods, and findings are shared freely to advance science and improve health outcomes.
• We engage meaningfully with industry, academic institutions, and community partners:  locally, nationally, and internationally, scaling interventions while maintaining fidelity to our academic and ethical mission.
• We cultivate an inclusive and supportive culture. Everyone joining CDTIH is invited to contribute to and thrive in our collaborative, welcoming environment.

I invite you to explore our website to learn more about our research interests and projects, faculty, and how we are advancing healthcare innovation with a patient centric approach. Together, we can translate innovation into meaningful impact for patients, communities, and the next generation of health professionals.

Nupur Hajela, PT, DPT, Ph.D.
Founder and Director, Center for Digital Technological and Innovation in Health (CDTIH)
Associate Professor, Dept. of Physical Therapy, California State University, Fresno