mDOT Center Annual Meeting 2026 at UCLA this November
The mDOT Center’s 2026 Annual Meeting is designed as a highly interactive and collaborative gathering of the Center’s investigators, research students, and members of the Executive Advisory Committee. The meeting will bring together Center researchers to strengthen collaboration across TR&D projects, foster partnerships among students and investigators, and identify opportunities to expand the Center’s portfolio of Collaborative Projects (CPs) and Service Projects (SPs).
Through presentations, student lightning talks, poster sessions, focused discussions, and collaborative planning, participants will explore opportunities to connect research across TR&Ds, develop new cross-disciplinary partnerships, and engage external investigators in the Center’s research ecosystem. Dedicated discussions will focus on identifying shared research priorities, facilitating access to datasets and resources, and developing new collaborative opportunities that leverage the Center’s expertise and infrastructure.
The meeting will serve as a platform for strategic planning and collaborative decision-making, with an emphasis on translating discussions into concrete next steps, new partnerships, and actionable research opportunities. By strengthening connections across investigators, students, TR&Ds, and external collaborators, the 2026 Annual Meeting aims to advance the mDOT Center’s research agenda and expand its impact in mobile health interventions.
Meeting Objectives:
The primary goal of the meeting is to establish a well-defined roadmap for the Center’s second term (2026-2031). Participants engage in comprehensive discussions focused on refining the Center’s direction, identifying key areas for improvement, and deciding on the focus of Technical Research and Development (TR&D) projects. This roadmap is crucial for securing funding and achieving tangible outcomes.
Lessons Learned sessions allow participants to reflect on the successes and challenges of the Center’s first term. Evaluating what has worked, what hasn’t, and what needs modification provides valuable insights. This retrospective analysis guides decision-making for the future, ensuring the Center builds upon its strengths and addresses any shortcomings.
The inclusion of Student Lightning Talks and Poster Showcases adds an interactive dimension to the meeting. It provides students with opportunities to present their research, encouraging engagement and feedback from attendees. This interactive session promotes knowledge exchange and networking among students and established researchers.
The meeting dedicates significant time to identify 3-4 specific TR&D projects for the second term. Participants evaluate each project’s potential impact, outline specific aims, and discuss tangible results (milestones). The push-pull relationship between Core Projects (CPs) and Special Projects (SPs) is explored, ensuring a cohesive and productive collaboration.
The Executive Advisory Committee Feedback Session allows the Center to benefit from the insights and expertise of external advisors. Seeking feedback and suggestions strengthens the Center’s impact and fosters collaborations. Discussions revolve around strategies to enhance the Center’s influence in the field.
The meeting concludes with a session dedicated to summarizing the day’s discussions, outlining action items, and specifying responsibilities for follow-up. This session ensures that the outcomes of the meeting are translated into actionable plans, guiding the Center’s activities in the immediate future.
By combining retrospection, student engagement, expert feedback, and future planning, the meeting aims to propel the mDOT Center’s research initiatives into a cohesive and impactful second term, driving advancements in the field of mobile health interventions.
More information about the annual meeting including the program and attendees may be viewed here.