Collective for Resilient Societies and Technology (CREST) Initiative

In an ever-evolving global landscape amidst challenges such as pandemics and human-caused disasters, the intertwining domains of technology, community resilience and global health present immense potential for innovative solutions and collaborative advancements. The CREST Initiative aims to become a beacon of interdisciplinary research, education and outreach in pioneering initiatives that harness technology to fortify societies against present and future adversities. The CREST Initiative is part of the Resilient Collective.

Mission

In an era of rapid technological advancement and increasing global challenges, our mission is to ensure that our communities not only survive but thrive. We are committed to fostering societal resilience through four foundational pillars:

Spearhead groundbreaking research that strives to understand the root causes of health problems and harnesses the potential of technology to enhance community resilience and address pressing global health challenges.

Foster a multidisciplinary academic environment that converges technological innovation with societal needs, attracting scholars and experts to engage in a holistic view of present-day challenges and their tech-driven solutions through dynamic learning, workshops and collaborative projects.

Develop strong alliances with international organizations, governments, tech industries, and NGOs, ensuring that solutions are scalable, adaptable, and impactful across various cultural and geographical contexts.

Partner with community organizations to establish grassroots programs, ensuring that technological advancements resonate locally to empower individuals and enhance overall community health and resilience.

Vision

To be the collaborative nexus where societal resilience meets technological innovation, empowering our global community to thrive amidst adversity, adapt to challenges and bolster health outcomes.

Projects

The GRACE Initiative aims to mitigate the impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) globally. It focuses on translational research and knowledge transfer, building a scientific community around ACEs, and de-stigmatization programs. GRACE emphasizes understanding and mitigating ACEs‘ impacts through synthesizing scientific evidence, policy influence, community engagement, and fostering resilience, particularly in communities affected by social injustices.

The CDC-funded grant, led by UC San Diego, is a network for outbreak data integration and modeling to support rapid public health action. This project brings together experts from four UC campuses, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of Washington, and San Diego County, to develop innovative tools and networks for responding rapidly to emerging disease outbreaks.

In collaboration with California’s Office of the Surgeon General, this project evaluates the indirect impacts of COVID-19, including stress-related health conditions from economic and social disruptions. It aims to understand the pandemic’s broader effects on mental and physical health, focusing on six health conditions and assessing the effectiveness of seven interventions. The project provides essential data and analysis to support state decision-making in mitigating the pandemic’s indirect health and societal costs. The group is conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of ACEs and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, public health authorities (PHAs) worldwide deployed innovative Exposure Notification (EN) applications to complement manual contact tracing (CT) efforts. With the sunsetting of these EN systems comes the need to identify the facilitators and barriers to EN applications and establish a consensus on prioritizing improvements to this technology. Project Identify aims to inform the design of future EN applications, guide EN implementation policies and best practices, and contribute to shaping the research agenda for the future of EN technology in the context of global outbreak responses.

The Commission is dedicated to advancing pandemic preparedness through science, innovation, and clear communication, aiming to build resilient, interconnected communities ready for any threat. Learning from COVID-19’s challenges, we recognize the need for a holistic approach to health crises influenced by social, economic, and political factors. Our strategy involves shifting focus from global events to foundational disparities and infrastructure gaps that hinder resilience. As we navigate the current pandemic and anticipate new ones, we’re crafting adaptable guidelines for diverse global stakeholders to foster enduring community resilience. Dr. Malekinejad is contributing to this project as a commissioner.

Our People

Faculty

Senior Staff

  • Nathan Smith, MPH
  • Karen White, MPH, MBA

Students and Volunteers

Current:

  • Kavenpreet Bal, MS
  • Erin Barker, MLIS
  • Alyssa Bercasio, MS
  • Apisit Kaewsanit, MD, MS
  • Julianna Lazzari
  • Rafael Maravilla, MS
  • Atnasia Mekonnen, MS
  • Nicole Skehan

Past:

  • Lucia Abascal, MD, MS
  • Sonya Chalaka, MS
  • Sonia Gandhi, MS
  • Kezia Mostak, MS
  • Nathan Quinn, MS
  • Saba Rahman, MS

Advisors

  • Eliah Aronoff-Spencer, MD, PhD, UC San Diego
  • Tom Boyce, MD, UCSF
  • Ingrid Cockhren, Med, PACEs CONNECTION
  • Gail Kennedy, MPH, PACEs CONNECTION
  • Elliot Marseille, MPH, DrPH, Health Strategies International
  • Bill Lober MD, MS, University of Washington
  • Omid Parhizkar PhD, World Bank
  • Vahid Namdarizandi, MD, MS, TriHealth Good Samaritan Hospital

Our Partners

Publications

Student Projects

  • “Effectiveness of Child Maltreatment Interventions: An Umbrella Review of Global Evidence,” Nathan Quinn, MS
  • “Policy Mapping Analysis of Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention Policies in California,” Aishwarya Thakur, MS
  • “The Change in Child Maltreatment Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Systematic Review of Evidence in the United States,” Kavenpreet Bal, MS