Dr. Jacob Kariuki is a population health scientist and board-certified Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner whose work centers on advancing health equity through innovative, community-engaged research. He is an Associate Professor at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and serves as the Assistant Director for Research at the Lillian Carter Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility.

Dr. Kariuki leads a dynamic program of research focused on developing and testing scalable, culturally responsive digital health interventions for cardiometabolic disease prevention. His NIH- and AHA-funded studies leverage behavioral science and mobile health technologies to reduce barriers to physical activity in underserved communities. He is the designer of the Physical Activity for the Heart (PATH) intervention—a web-based, coach-supported platform designed to help adults with obesity increase physical activity, regardless of their BMI and environmental limitations.

Dr. Kariuki is a Fellow of the American Heart Association and actively contributes to national scientific leadership through roles on the AHA’s Lifestyle Physical Activity Committee, the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing, and the Early Career Committee of the Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health. He also serves as a Senior Associate Editor for Behavioral Medicine and reviews for top-tier journals including The Lancet Public Health, JAHA, and npj Digital Medicine.

Dr. Kariuki holds a PhD in Population Health and Health Policy, a Master of Science in Nursing, and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care from the University of Massachusetts Boston. He received his BSN from the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton.

1. Kariuki, J., Burke, L., Erickson, K., Sereika, S., Paul, S., Cheng, J., Biza, H., Abdirahman, A., Wilbraham, K., Milton, H., Brown, C., Sells, M., Osei Baah, F., Wells, J., Chandler, R., & Barone Gibbs, B. (2025). Acceptability and Preliminary Efficacy of a Novel Web-Based Physical Activity for the Heart (PATH) Intervention Designed to Promote Physical Activity in Adults With Obesity: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 14, e67972. https://doi.org/10.2196/67972

2. Chase, P. J., Owen, C. M., Bantham, A., Stoutenberg, M., Ajibewa, T., Barclay, J., Huang, M., Kariuki, J., McNamara, G., Stoner, L., & Whitsel, L. P. (2025). A narrative review of the cost-effectiveness of supervised exercise therapy for adults with chronic conditions in the United States. Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine. (in press).

3. Kariuki, J. K., Higgins, M., Gitonga, M., Jordan, P., Githui, S., Wachira, M., Gathogo, L., Molina Hidalgo, C., Wambugu, V., Kimani, S., Osei Baah, F., Abera, H., Thompson, L., & Erickson, K. (2025). Sex differences in absolute cardiovascular risk profiles among rural midlife and elderly Kenyans: Influence of obesity, physical activity, smoking, and blood pressure control. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders. (in press).

4. Park, L. G., Kariuki, J. K., Hendriks, J. M., Gallagher, R., & Burke, L. E. (2025). A Review and Promise of Digital Health Technologies to Promote Global Cardiovascular Health: A Call to Action for Nursing. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 10.1097/JCN.0000000000001205. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCN.0000000000001205

5. Burke, L. E., Bizhanova, Z., Conroy, M. B., Cheng, J., Beatrice, B., Kariuki, J. K., Parmanto, B., & Sereika, S. M. (2025). Adherence to self‐monitoring and behavioral goals is associated with improved weight loss in an mHealth randomized‐controlled trial. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 33(3), 478–489. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.24234

6. *Mazzolani, B. C., Esteves, G. P., Cheng, J., Frediani, J. K., Beatrice, B., & Kariuki, J. K. (2024). Diet Quality Changes in a 12-Week Web-Based Physical Activity Intervention without Explicit Dietary Guidance. Behavioral Medicine, 0(0), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/08964289.2024.2417077

7. *Kariuki, J. K., Burke, L. E., Zickmund, S., Beatrice, B., Kimball, E. R., Galyean, P., Cheng, J., Sereika, S. M., Bizhanova, Z., Cedillo, M., Wells, J., & Conroy, M. B. (2024). The Utility and Limitations of Remotely Delivered Feedback Messages Regarding Physical Activity in a 12-Month Weight Loss Intervention: Insights From the SMARTER Trial Focus Groups. The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCN.0000000000001134

8. *Suvada, K., Kocher, E., Diwan, N., Nagy, A., Nderitu, M., Kibaara, C., Ngomoa, R., Cagle, T. J., Kariuki, J., Wall, K. M., Brunissen, L., Ramireddy, S., Johnson, L. C. M., Chung, M. H., & Ali, M. K. (2024). Incidence of high blood pressure among Kenyan adults living with HIV: A longitudinal cohort analysis from 2004-2023. AIDS (London, England). https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000004050

9. *Carrillo-Larco, R. M., Bulstra, C. A., Manne-Goehler, J., Siedner, M. J., Johnson, L. C. M., Marconi, V. C., Chung, M. H., Venter, W. D. F., Kocher, E., Lalla-Edward, S., Chandiwana, N. C., Kariuki, J. K., & Ali, M. K. (2024). Trends in body mass index for people with and without HIV: Pooled analysis of nationally-representative health surveys from 10 countries and 173,800 adults in Africa. PLOS Global Public Health, 4(9), e0003640. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003640

10. *Zhang, Y., Engberg, S. J., Courtney, K. L., Kariuki, J. K., & Matthews, J. T. (2024). Effect of a Bladder Control Self-Management Program Delivered Through a Health Kiosk. Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing: Official Publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society, 51(3), 213–220. https://doi.org/10.1097/WON.0000000000001073

11. *Pulantara, I. W., Wang, Y., Burke, L. E., Sereika, S. M., Bizhanova, Z., Kariuki, J. K., Cheng, J., Beatrice, B., Loar, I., Cedillo, M., Conroy, M. B., & Parmanto, B. (2024). Data Collection and Management of mHealth, Wearables, and Internet of Things in Digital Behavioral Health Interventions With the Awesome Data Acquisition Method (ADAM): Development of a Novel Informatics Architecture. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 12(1), e50043. https://doi.org/10.2196/50043

12. Kariuki JK, Imes CC, Engberg SJ, Klem, ML, Scott, P, Yamnia, CI, Pearson, V. (2024) Best Practice Information Sheet: Impact of lifestyle interventions on absolute cardiovascular disease risk score. JBI EBP Database. 2024; 26(2):1-4.  https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-22-00356

13. Kariuki JK, Imes CC, Engberg SJ, Scott PW, Klem ML, Cortes YI. (2024) Impact of lifestyle-based interventions on absolute cardiovascular disease risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 22(1), 4-65. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-22-00356

14. *Kariuki JK, Sereika S, Erickson K, et al. (2023) Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a novel web-based physical activity intervention in adults with overweight/obesity: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 133, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2023.107318

15. *Kariuki, J.K., S.M., Bizhanova, Z., Conroy, M.B., Burke, L.E., Cheng, J., Beatrice, B., Sereika, S.M. (2023) The Association between Neighborhood Walkability and Physical Activity in a Behavioral Weight Loss Trial Testing the Addition of Remotely Delivered Feedback Messages to Self-Monitoring. Behavioral Medicine, 50(3), 232–241. https://doi.org/10.1080/08964289.2023.2238102

16. Jerome, G. J., Boyer, W. R., Bustamante, E. E., Kariuki, J, Lopez-Jimenez, F., Paluch, A. E., Swift, D. L., Webber-Ritchey, K. J., Barone Gibbs, B., & Chair, V. (2023). Increasing Equity of Physical Activity Promotion for Optimal Cardiovascular Health in Adults: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation, 147, 0–00. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001148

17. *Cheng, J., Costacou, T., Rockette-Wagner, B., Sereika, S. M., Conroy, M. B., Kriska, A. M., Kariuki, J. K., Klem, M. lou, Parmanto, B., & Burke, L. E. (2023). Perceived and calculated diet quality improvements in a randomized mHealth weight loss trial. Behavioral Medicine (Washington, D.C.), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/08964289.2023.2178374

18. *Bizhanova, Z., Sereika, S. M., Brooks, M. M., Rockette-Wagner, B., Kariuki, J. K., & Burke, L.E. (2023). Identifying Predictors of Adherence to the Physical Activity Goal: A Secondary Analysis of the SMARTER Weight Loss Trial. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003114

19. *Kariuki JK, Rockette-Wagner, B., Cheng, J., Erickson, K. I., Gibbs, B. B., Sereika, S. M., Kline, C. E., Mendez, D. D., Wayan, P. I., Bizhanova, Z., Saad, M. A. B., & Burke, L. E. (2022). Neighborhood Walkability Is Associated with Physical Activity and Prediabetes in a Behavioral Weight Loss Study: A Secondary Analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-022-10112-7

20. *Burke, L.E., Sereika, S.M., Bizhanova, Z., Parmanto, B., Cheng, J., Kariuki, J.K., Beatrice, B., Cedillo, M., Loar, I., Pulantara, I.W., Wang, Y., Conroy, M.B.,(2022) The Effect of Tailored, Daily Smartphone Feedback to Lifestyle Self-Monitoring on Weight Loss at 12 Months: The SMARTER Randomized Clinical Trial. J Med Internet Res 2022;24(7):e38243 https://doi.org/10.1002/OBY.23321

Dr. Jacob Kariuki teaches primarily in the BSN Honors Program, where he mentors emerging nurse scholars in research methods, critical inquiry, and innovation. His teaching emphasizes the integration of scientific rigor with real-world relevance, preparing students to lead in evidence-based practice and health equity. He also guest lectures in courses on social determinants of health and technology-based interventions, drawing from his research to illustrate how digital innovation can address structural barriers in care. Across all settings, Dr. Kariuki fosters intellectually challenging, inclusive learning environments that empower students to think expansively and act ethically in advancing the future of nursing.

Dr. Jacob Kariuki’s research lies at the intersection of digital innovation, health disparities, and preventive cardiometabolic care. His work seeks to reimagine how evidence-based physical activity interventions are designed, delivered, and sustained—especially in populations historically excluded from traditional health promotion models. Drawing from population health, implementation science, and behavioral medicine, Dr. Kariuki investigates how digital tools can close equity gaps by aligning with the lived experiences, cultural contexts, and structural constraints of underserved communities. His long-term goal is to transform cardiometabolic prevention into an inclusive, tech-enabled ecosystem that is accessible, adaptive, and impactful across diverse real-world settings.

2025
Judge, Emory Morningside Global Health Case Competition
Emory University

2024
Member, Prevention Research Center’s Community Engaged Research Committee (CERC)
Morehouse School of Medicine

Expert, National Center for Engagement in Diabetes Equity Research (CEDER)
Morehouse School of Medicine

Fellow, American Heart Association (FAHA)
American Heart Association

Executive Review Committee Member,
Georgia Center for Diabetes Translation Research (GCDTR)

Invited Participant, Emerging Leaders Forum
National Academy of Medicine

Ad hoc Grant Reviewer,
Lifestyle Change and Behavioral Health (LCBH) Study Section

2017
Bloomberg Emerging Nurse Scholar
University of Toronto

Early Career Travel Grant
Epidemiology and Prevention Council, American Heart Association

2016
Martha Hill New Investigator Award Finalist
Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing, American Heart Association

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Graduation Award
Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association

Nursing Fellowship Award
Lynch Foundation

Book Award for Academic Excellence in Nursing
UMass Boston PhD Program

2014
Ruth and William Silen, M.D. Award for Best Presentation in Public Health and Epidemiology
New England Science Symposium

2013
Brenda S. Cherry Dissertation Research Award
Sigma Theta Tau, Theta Alpha Chapter

Induction to Theta Alpha Chapter Honor Society
Sigma Theta Tau International

2012
Ruth and William Silen, M.D. Award for Third Best Poster Presentation (All Categories)
New England Science Symposium