Date: Wednesday May 6th, 2026

Time: 12 – 2pm

Location: IC collaboration HUB, TSRB

Virtual (Zoom): https://gatech.zoom.us/j/92979046531

Cynthia M. Baseman

Ph.D. Student in Human-Centered Computing 

School of Interactive Computing 

Georgia Institute of Technology 

Personal Website

Committee:

Dr. Rosa I. Arriaga (Advisor) – Georgia Tech, School of Interactive Computing

Dr. Betsy DiSalvo – Georgia Tech, School of Interactive Computing

Dr. Thomas Ploetz – Georgia Tech, School of Interactive Computing

Dr. Naveena Karusala – Georgia Tech, School of Interactive Computing

Dr. André L. Brock – Georgia Tech, School of Literature, Media, and Communication

Abstract:

As the array of available health self-management technologies grows, so too does the list of their promised benefits. Most prior work on these technologies, however, has not centered those at a greater risk of health disparities. My dissertation engages a historically marginalized community that is underrepresented in the health technology literature: Black older adults with low income who are living with diabetes. In this thesis proposal, I present three prior studies that take a community-engaged approach to qualitative and design research. The first two studies characterize community perceptions of mobile and ubiquitous health technologies for diabetic foot self-management. The third study explores how medical mistrust should alter our approach to designing these technologies with community members. The proposed fourth study will explore how community members (both in city and rural contexts) engage in health information seeking and conceptualize the potential role of large language models for health. Through engagements with community members, my work characterizes their perspectives and lived experiences with health self-management technologies, generating higher-level insights into the more equitable and responsible design of these tools.