PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common pediatric chronic conditions, affecting 187,000 children and
adolescents in the United States. It is a complex and demanding condition that requires intensive self-
management regimens to prevent complications. Despite improvements in diabetes technology to support self-
management, nearly 85% of adolescents with T1D fail to meet recommended glycemic targets, putting them at
risk for complications, reduced life expectancy, and diminished quality of life. Understanding and improving
how adolescents are using advanced diabetes technology to perform self-management tasks in real-time can
greatly improve the health of this high-risk population. The specific aims of the proposed research are: 1)
Collect and integrate data streams from both continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and ecological momentary
assessment (EMA) to gain a new understanding of how adolescents use advanced diabetes technology in real
time for self-management, and to identify potential intervention targets and strategies, 2) Design an ecological
momentary intervention to improve self-management behaviors, 3) Pilot test the feasibility, acceptability, and
potential efficacy of the new ecological momentary intervention to improve glycemic control. Upon completion,
our team will prepare and submit an R01 proposal for a full-scale trial of the intervention to improve glycemic
control and psychosocial outcomes. Candidate: Dr. DeJonckheere is an adolescent health services
researcher and early career investigator focused on improving health outcomes for adolescents with T1D. Her
career goal is to become an independent investigator with expertise in real-time assessment to develop theory-
based interventions that optimize use of advanced diabetes technology for self-management. Building on her
experience in educational research and adolescent engagement, this K01 award will support her to develop
and evaluate self-management interventions to improve how adolescents with T1D use diabetes technology in
everyday life. The specific aims are aligned with training aims in the career development plan: 1) develop
expertise in real-time data collection through mobile applications to study how adolescents use advanced
diabetes technology and data; 2) gain skills in the use of natural language processing techniques to rapidly
analyze longitudinal, real-time qualitative data; 3) build skills in the development and testing of evidence- and
theory-based intervention for adolescents with T1D; and 4) acquire knowledge in the biological processes and
standards of care of T1D in adolescence. The career development plan will support Dr. DeJonckheere to
achieve her training goals through dedicated mentorship by a team of leading investigators, advanced didactic
coursework, execution of the proposed research plan, and participation in the broader scientific community.
The University of Michigan, University of Michigan Medical School, and Department of Family Medicine provide
strong institutional support and an excellent environment to complete the proposed career development award.
