Gian-Gabriel Garcia
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Research Interests

My current research aims to develop data-driven frameworks for Predictive Analytics and Prescriptive Analytics as motivated by and applied to high-impact problems in Medical Decision-Making.

Applications

Medical decision-making, concussion management, opioid use disorder, post-traumatic stress order screening, detecting glaucoma progression, cardiovascular disease, value-based insurance design, vaccine delivery under resource constraints

Methodology

Predictive modeling, data-driven optimization, dynamic programming, (partially observable) Markov decision processes, machine learning, stochastic optimization, robust optimization, Kalman filtering, stochastic control, applied statistics, game theory, social network analysis

Research Projects

Concussion Management

Concussion, the most common type of traumatic brain injury, is an emergent public health issue. Recent studies suggest links between concussions and long-term consequences such as cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disease. By combining predictive modeling and optimization methods, we develop methods to better identify concussion and optimize post-injury management.

Opioid Use Disorder

In the United States, the prevalence of opioid misuse and opioid use disorder (OUD) have been increasing in the past few years, leading to increased deaths from overdose. In this research, we aim to develop, characterize, and analyze the impact of social networks among opioid users. Our findings aim to inform public policy and optimize the design of future support networks for people with OUD.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition which is triggered by a terrifying experience and can include symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety about the experience. People suffering with PTSD may lose their career, family members, or commit suicide. In this research, we analyze and optimize screening policies for PTSD among vulnerable populations.

Glaucoma Progression

Glaucoma is an irreversible disease and the leading cause of blindness worldwide. In this research, we aim to improve the detection of Glaucoma progression in different patient populations, such as those with primary open angle Glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Our approach is centered on the use of Kalman filtering models to forecast the future trajectory of Glaucoma disease dynamics.

Value-based Insurance Design

Health researchers and insurance providers have championed the principle of reducing out-of-pocket expenses for highly valuable clinical services. In this research, we develop bi-level optimization models to simultaneously determine (1) optimal treatment plans which maximize individual patient health and (2) optimal coinsurance rates for medication which maximizes population health.

Publications

A full record of my publications and presentations can be found in my Curriculum Vitae.

Peer-reviewed Journal Papers

  1. Garcia, G.P. , C.M. Schumb, M.S. Lavieri, H. Koffijberg, T.W. McAllister, M.A. McCrea, S.P. Broglio. "Developing Insights for Possible and Probable Acute Concussions Using Cluster Analysis", Journal of Neurotrauma (Accepted).
  2. Czerniak, L.L., S.W. Liebel, G.P. Garcia, M.S. Lavieri, M.A. McCrea, T.W. McAllister, S.P. Broglio, (2021) "Sensitivity and Specificity of Computer-Based Neurocognitive Assessments in Sport-Related Concussion: Findings from the NCAA-DoD CARE Consortium", Sports Medicine, 51 (2), 351-365.
  3. Liebel, S.W., K.L. Van Pelt, G.P. Garcia, L.L. Czerniak, M.A. McCrea, T.W. McAllister, S.P. Broglio, (2020) "The Relationship Between Sport-related Concussion and Sensation-Seeking", International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21 (23), 9097.
  4. Garcia, G.P. , J. Yang, M.S. Lavieri, T.W. McAllister, M.A. McCrea, S.P. Broglio, and CARE Consortium Investigators, (2020) "Optimizing the Components of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool for Acute Concussion Assessment", Neurosurgery, 87 (5), 971-981.
  5. Garcia, G.P., M.S. Lavieri, R. Jiang, M.A. McCrea, T.W. McAllister, S.P. Broglio, and CARE Consortium Investigators, (2020) "Data-driven Stochastic Optimization Approaches to Determine Decision Boundaries for Risk Estimation Models", IISE Transactions, 52 (10), 1098-1121.
  6. Garcia, G. P., M. S. Lavieri, C. Andrews, X. Liu, M. P. Van Oyen, M. A. Kass, M. O. Gordon, and J. D. Stein, (2019) "Using Kalman Filtering to Forecast Visual Field and Intraocular Pressure Trajectory in Patients with Ocular Hypertension", JAMA Ophthalmology, 137 (12), 1416-1423.
  7. Garcia, G.P., M.S. Lavieri, R. Jiang, M.A. McCrea, T.W. McAllister, S.P. Broglio, and CARE Consortium Investigators, (2019) "A Data-driven Approach to Unlikely, Possible, Probable, and Definite Acute Concussion Assessment", Journal of Neurotrauma, 36 (10), 1571-1583.
  8. Garcia, G.P., K. Nitta, M.S. Lavieri, C. Andrews, X. Liu, E. Lobaza, M.P. Van Oyen, K. Sugiyama, and J.D. Stein, (2019) "Using Kalman Filtering to Forecast Disease Progression for Patients with Normal Tension Glaucoma", American Journal of Ophthalmology, 199, 111-119.
  9. Schell, G.J., G.P. Garcia , M.S. Lavieri, J.B. Sussman, R.A. Hayward, (2018) "Optimal Coinsurance Rates for a Heterogeneous Population under Inequality and Resource Constraints", IISE Transactions, 51 (1), 74-91.
  10. Garcia, G.P., S.P. Broglio, M.S. Lavieri, M.A. McCrea, T.W. McAllister, and CARE Consortium Investigators, (2018) "Quantifying the Value of Multidimensional Assessment Models for Acute Concussion: An Analysis of Data from the NCAA-DoD Care Consortium", Sports Medicine, 48 (7), 1739-1749.
  11. Mofrad, M., G.P. Garcia, L.M. Maillart, B.A. Norman, J. Rajgopal, (2016) “Customizing Immunization Clinic Operations to Minimize Open Vial Waste”, Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 54 (March 2016), 1-17.

Submitted and Working Papers

  1. DiGenarro, C., G.P. Garcia, E.J. Stringfellow, M.S. Jalali. "Changes in Characteristics of Opioid Overdose Death Trends during the COVID-19", medrXiv 02.01.2125, 1–14. (Submitted)
  2. Garcia, G.P. , M.S. Lavieri, T.W. McAllister, M.A. McCrea, S.P. Broglio, “Estimating the Value of Incorporating Patient Behavior in Return-to-Play from Concussion”. (Submitted)
  3. Garcia, G.P. , L.N. Steimle, W.J. Marrero. "An Analysis of Structured Optimal Policies for Markov Decision Processes: The Tradeoff Between Optimality and Interpretability." (Working Paper)

Other Research

  1. VaCRO: Vaccine Clinic Reconstitution Optimizer