Michele Lanpher Patel

Role: Instructor of Medicine, Stanford Prevention Research Center Email: mlp9@stanford.edu (also: Michele.patel@stanford.edu) Profile: https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/michele-patel Relationship Depth: Active Collaborator

Background

Michele L. Patel, PhD is an Instructor in the Stanford Prevention Research Center at Stanford University School of Medicine. Trained as a clinical health psychologist, she conducts research to optimize scalable digital health interventions for adults with obesity.

• PhD in Clinical Psychology from Duke University
• Clinical internship at VA Palo Alto (behavioral medicine specialization)
• Postdoctoral fellowship (T32) at Stanford Prevention Research Center
• NIH Career Development Award (K23; 2022-2027)

Research Focus

Leads clinical trials testing innovative strategies to address suboptimal engagement in digital interventions.

Primary Research Interests:

• Optimizing digital interventions for obesity treatment and prevention
• Leveraging behavioral science for lower-burden self-monitoring strategies
• Identifying psychosocial factors (health literacy, self-efficacy) influencing treatment success

Methodological Expertise:

• Randomized clinical trials
• Factorial designs and embedded trials
• Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST)

Recent Work:

• “Spark trial” - investigating self-monitoring strategies in behavioral weight loss intervention (176 adults). Results expected 2026.
• Testing impact of easier vs. harder goals
• High-frequency, low-friction behavioral strategies

Leadership

• Chair, Optimization of Behavioral and Biobehavioral Interventions special interest group, Society of Behavioral Medicine

Working Relationship

Collaborating with Reuben on Build-a-Bot Health Coach spin-off with Marily Oppezzo - exploring people building their own AI health coaches in a healthcare context.

Prototype: coach.bot101.app

Key Interactions

(To be updated)