Cori Espelien Receives Bhakta Rath Public Service-Focused Research Award
Cori Espelien, post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Public Health Sciences in the School of Medicine, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Bhakta Rath Public Service-Focused Research Award. Espelien, working under the mentorship of Pavel Chernyavskiy, assistant professor in the School of Medicine, is developing an integrated clinical framework that uses facial�’expression analysis to help healthcare providers more accurately detect and monitor pain.
Established by Dr. Bhakta Rath, the Rath award celebrates research that addresses pressing societal challenges and translates scientific discovery into meaningful public benefit. It is given annually to a researcher whose work demonstrates innovation, collaboration, and a clear pathway to improving lives.
Advancing Pain Detection Through Innovation
Pain is a deeply personal experience�”complex to define, difficult to detect, and often stigmatized. These challenges are particularly pronounced among women, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals with chronic pain. Espelien’s research helps address these disparities.
Her approach leverages AI-driven facial coding technology and advanced statistical modeling to predict pain presence and severity. Planned collaborations with the School of Medicine and School of Nursing will enable real-world data collection in settings such as emergency medicine, hospice care, and telehealth.
Beyond clinical applications, this framework offers significant societal benefits. Training first responders, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to recognize pain accurately can improve patient outcomes, particularly for vulnerable. Additionally, better pain management reduces healthcare costs and mitigates risks associated with inappropriate drug dosing.
“Cori Espelien’s research reflects the best of public service�”innovative science that directly improves care for those who need it most,” said Lori L. McMahon, the vice president for research at UVA. “We are proud to celebrate her accomplishments and look forward to the continued impact of her research on clinical practice and community health.”