KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 26, 2025

El Arbi’s path to this groundbreaking research began with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a role as a software engineer at a brokerage firm, where he honed his problem-solving skills.

Imagine a world where diabetes—a chronic condition in which the body struggles to regulate blood sugar, leading to high blood glucose levels that can damage organs, nerves, and blood vessels—is caught before symptoms begin. Kennesaw State Ph.D. student El Arbi Belfarsi is getting us there.

Globally, diabetes affects over 500 million people, while an estimated 700 million more show signs of prediabetes—many struggling with invasive monitoring or diagnosis that come too late. El Arbi’s work on non-invasive glucose tracking could one day save them the pain of daily needle pricks and help catch diabetes before it silently takes hold, preventing the serious consequences of elevated blood sugar, such as heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss.

El Arbi’s path to this groundbreaking research began with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a role as a software engineer at a brokerage firm, where he honed his problem-solving skills. Yet, it was a study abroad program at KSU during his undergraduate studies that opened his eyes to a broader horizon. “I was impressed by the quality of classes and the research opportunities at KSU,” he shares. This experience, combined with a growing fascination with AI applications in healthcare—sparked by Dr. Maria Valero’s work—drew him back to KSU for a Ph.D. in Computer Science, where he was determined to make a difference.

While El Arbi’s research is rooted in computer science, it frequently intersects with other disciplines such as nutrition science, diabetes management, blood banking, and cognitive science. “My research has led to the development of open-source datasets, natural language processing (NLP) models, and comparative studies aimed at identifying optimal algorithms for managing blood resources and non-invasive glucose monitoring,” he explains. This interdisciplinary approach led to the development of open-source data sets, NLP models, and comparative studies, advancing computational methods in healthcare applications.

Collaborations with KSU’s Human Factors, Operations Optimization, and Ergonomics (HOPE) lab and the Exercise Science lab have been instrumental in shaping El Arbi’s research direction. “These partnerships, “he says, “provided access to valuable domain expertise, experimental data, and interdisciplinary perspectives that enriched my work.”

Selecting a specific area of research is a defining moment in any Ph.D. journey, and for El Arbi, this choice was driven by the desire to transform healthcare with innovative technology. His decision to concentrate on machine learning applications for managing diabetes and prediabetes aligned perfectly with his goal of making a real-world impact on health through technical innovation.

El Arbi’s research has already been marked by significant milestones and achievements. “My research journey has been incredibly rewarding, thanks to the unwavering support of my advisor and colleagues at the lab,” he notes. Early exposure to existing studies in Dr. Valero’s lab and an extensive literature review paved the way for contributions in non-invasive glucose monitoring. Notable achievements include winning the Best Graduate Research Award at the Student Symposium and securing the runner-up position at the 2024 C-Day Competition for research on estimating glucose levels in in-vitro synthetic blood samples.

The resources available at KSU played a crucial role in El Arbi’s academic and professional growth. “The faculty are highly knowledgeable and deeply invested in student success,” he emphasizes. “The state-of-the-art facilities and research opportunities at KSU have not only enhanced my technical skills but also accelerated my overall development, making my experience at KSU both transformative and rewarding.”

Looking ahead, El Arbi aims to transform his research into comprehensive software solutions for health monitoring and disease prevention, a pursuit with profound potential to improve health outcomes worldwide. “My findings highlight blood glycemic activity as a crucial predictor of overall health,” he notes. This groundbreaking research could revolutionize many areas, from metabolic health to personalized nutrition and preventive healthcare, offering new tools to combat global health issues.

As El Arbi refines his algorithms, he envisions a world where technology monitors health and saves lives. At KSU, he’s not just earing a Ph.D. he’s building that future, one line of code at a time.

• By Tracy Gaudlip
• Photos by Darnell Wilburn