On January 14, 2025, the University of Washington School of Nursing hosted its dynamic Dawg Tank event, where three exceptional research teams competed for a $15,000 prize. The event brought together innovation, collaboration, and community engagement in a celebration of healthcare advancements.
Charles Kwanin and Yvette Rodriguez, both PhD students in the UW School of Nursing, won the grand prize with their transformative project. The initiative captivated the audience by demonstrating how integrating AI and mental health strategies can improve tuberculosis treatment outcomes globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where limited access to healthcare, high patient-to-provider ratios, and a lack of mental health services hinder effective treatment and support.
The judges asked poignant questions, such as how the AI algorithms would be developed to prevent biased responses and account for the diversity of users.
The evening also featured these outstanding presentations:
- Safeguard Mental Health using Generative AI: Yanjing Liang, a 2nd-year PhD nursing science student and de Tornyay Center predoctoral scholar, and Dr. Jingyi Li, assistant professor at the UW Tacoma School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership, presented their research on using AI-based cognitive training to reduce social isolation in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
- Gastrointestinal Ostomy Wellness (GLOW) Adventure Camp: Kendra Kamp, assistant professor in the UW School of Nursing Department of Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Informatics, and Dr. Caeli Malloy, a UAW postdoctoral fellow in Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Informatics, presented their idea on fostering social connectedness and well-being through an adventure camp for young adults with fecal ostomies.
The expert panel of judges included: 
- Dr. Sharon S. Laing, associate professor, UW Tacoma School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership.
- Dr. Kosuke Niitsu, assistant professor, UW Bothell School of Nursing & Health Studies.
- Dr. David Reyes, dean and associate professor, UW Tacoma School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership.
- Chandan Chauhan, MS, co-founder & CEO of Clocktree Telehealth.
Attendees enjoyed delicious food and beverages, and the event was energized by its charismatic emcee, Tiernan Madorno, who kept the audience engaged and entertained throughout the evening.
Dawg Tank was a showcase of the UW School of Nursing’s commitment to fostering innovation, advancing healthcare, and creating solutions that make a meaningful impact on communities. Join us next year for Dawg Tank 2026!