2026 Recipient:
Yun-Ju Lai, PhD, RN | University of Massachusetts Lowell
“Improving Mental Well-Being Through Accessible AI-Driven Support: A Pilot Initiative for Undergraduate Students”
Yun-Ju Lai, PhD, RN, is an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Her scholarship focuses on student mental health, optimism, and intervention research, with a particular interest in creating accessible, innovative supports for college students. Dr. Lai leads the award-funded project “Improving Mental Well-Being Through Accessible AI-Driven Support: A Pilot Initiative for Undergraduate Students,” which explores the use of conversational AI and a humanoid social robot to complement campus mental health services. Her interdisciplinary work brings together nursing, behavioral health, and technology to develop scalable, student-centered approaches that promote coping, self-care, help-seeking, and academic persistence. She is committed to advancing practical solutions that enhance campus well-being and support student success.
About the Project:
This 12-month project will implement and evaluate an accessible, scalable AI-driven mental health support program for undergraduate students at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) to complement existing campus services and promote academic persistence. Using a humanoid social robot powered by conversational AI, the program will deliver brief, skills-based support emphasizing stress management, coping strategies, optimism informed exercises, sleep/self-care guidance, and mental health literacy. This project addresses important gaps in student mental health support at UML by offering an accessible, low-barrier entry point for undergraduates experiencing mild to moderate depressive symptoms and stress—particularly those who may be hesitant to seek traditional counseling.
