Yoshimi Fukuoka, RN, PhD, FAAN is a professor at the UCSF School of Nursing whose research explores the power of AI to combat today’s urgent health issues. Fukuoka is leading two AI-based projects and developing health interventions that hold significant promise for the future of AI and health care.
Her research program focuses on primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes in women and racial and ethnic minority groups using artificial intelligence (AI) [i.e., machine learning, natural language processing, conversational agent (chatbot)] and digital technologies. As a principal investigator, she conducted several clinical trials involving physical activity and weight loss interventions and demonstrated the efficacy of these interventions. During the past 15 years, Fukuoka has been continuously funded by the AHRQ, NINR, NHLBI, NIDDK, National Science Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, American Heart Association, the UC Noyce Initative and other intramural/extramural funding sources.