Two Research Teams Receive 2026 Bridging the Divide Grants
Susan McNicholl, Office of the Vice President for Research
Posted May 5, 2026
Two Iowa State University research teams received 2026 Bridging the Divide seed grants to tackle real‑world problems. Both projects bring together researchers from very different fields to test new ideas that could lead to lasting impact.
One team is building an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to support adults receiving obesity care. The other is taking an in-depth look at Iowa’s animal fiber system: what works, what doesn’t, and money that may be left on the table.
Using AI to Support Physical Activity in Obesity Care
Principal Investigators: Seungmin Lee, assistant professor of kinesiology and health, and Wei Le, professor of computer science
Research Team: Yongyeon Cho, associate professor of interior design, and Jonathan Hardersen, physician assistant at Iowa Weight Loss Specialists
Grant Amount: $49,929 over two years
Regular physical activity helps people manage obesity and improves sleep, mood, and overall health. But for many adults with obesity, staying active is hard, especially when they are focused solely on weight loss.
That lack of confidence to move among adults with obesity is what this project aims to address.
A team of Iowa State researchers and clinical partners will develop an AI‑based chatbot designed specifically for adults receiving obesity care. The tool will offer personalized guidance to help patients feel more confident about moving their bodies while undergoing standard obesity treatments.
“My research area focuses on exercise psychology and how we motivate people to move,” said principal investigator Seungmin Lee. “We know that if people don’t feel confident in physical activity, they’re much less likely to or be active.”
What sets this project apart is the data behind the technology. Instead of relying on generic, publicly available information, the chatbot will be trained using locally sourced, patient‑specific data collected through collaboration with Iowa Weight Loss Specialists. That data reflects real clinical situations, including medications, diet plans, and bariatric surgeries.
By combining behavioral science, artificial intelligence, and community obesity care, the team hopes to build a tool that feels relevant and realistic.
In the first phase, the team will design and refine the chatbot, drawing on the expertise of computer scientist Wei Le and human‑computer interaction expert Yeongyeon Cho. In the second phase, patients will use the tool alongside standard care with the help of Jonathan Hardersen, so researchers can see whether people like it and want to keep using it.
“At this early stage, we’re not trying to prove that it changes physical activity outcomes,” Lee said. “We want to know whether patients find it acceptable and would choose to use it.”
If patients respond positively, the project could lead to a larger clinical trial and future external funding.
“This is about reducing the gap between behavioral science and technology,” Lee said. “It’s a starting point, but one we hope to grow.”
Mapping Iowa’s Animal Fiber Economy to Unlock New Value
Principal Investigators: Maria Wurzinger, Rothschild Endowed Professor in Global Food Security and Animal Science, and Gustavo Gutiérrez, associate professor of animal science
Research Team: William Rose, associate professor of supply chain management, and Rachel Eike, associate professor of fashion design and merchandising
Grant Amount: $49,478 over two years
Shearing sheep, alpacas, and llamas is a routine and necessary task for Iowa farmers, but it can cost up to $50 per head. Long processing backlogs and limited options mean that fiber or wool often has nowhere to go, leaving farmers with a significant expense and little return.
An interdisciplinary Iowa State team wants to change that by creating a clear picture of Iowa’s animal fiber system, from farm to finished product.
“For us, the first step is understanding what’s actually happening,” said principal investigator Maria Wurzinger. “Farmers ask, ‘I have this fiber—what do I do next?’ And right now, there isn’t a good answer.”
The team will work directly with farmers, processors, and other stakeholders to document how fiber moves through the system. In some cases, mills are backlogged for up to two years, which stalls production and discourages growth.
Supply chain expert William Rose sees those bottlenecks as places where smarter connections could create value.
“If producers are spending time and money shearing animals, how do we make sure there’s something on the other end?” Rose said. “That might mean new markets, better coordination, or different ways of using existing capacity.”
Rather than proposing fixes from a distance, the team plans to co‑create solutions with the people involved, helping farmers and processors share information and uncover opportunities they may not see on their own.
From a design perspective, Rachel Eike sees the project as a foundation for much broader work.
“Once you understand where animal fiber comes from and how it is transformed, you can start asking bigger questions,” she said. “This approach could apply not just to animal fiber, but to plant fibers like hemp or flax as well.”
The project’s long‑term goal is to generate the baseline data needed to pursue larger grants and help build a more connected, resilient animal fiber economy in Iowa.
The Bridging the Divide seed grant program, offered in partnership with the Center for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities (CEAH), supports interdisciplinary teams that bring together perspectives from across campus. The program is open to all Iowa State University full‑time tenured or tenure‑eligible faculty and is designed to help launch bold ideas that benefit society.