Hub4Smell: Advancing Human Olfactory Research through Digital Innovation and Community Engagement

PROJECT SUMMARY The goal of this proposal is to launch and validate Hub4Smell, the first multi-test, collaborative, digital platform designed to promote insights from human olfactory data. Hub4Smell will offer researchers and clinicians alike two innovations: 1) customized tools for human olfactory data collection, curation, and analysis leveraging generative AI; 2) access to private collaboration with experts to facilitate the use of smell testing and foster engagement in olfactory research. This work lays the groundwork for shared research and data management protocols in the current and future olfactory community across sectors (research, clinical, corporate), and offers concrete support in the implementation of routine smell testing for the general population, in close alignment with the NIDCD 2023 -2027 Strategic Plan and the Healthy People 2030 goals. This project leverages a multidisciplinary team with expertise in digital health software development, generative AI and computer and data science (Estenda); olfactory research and data interpretation (Monell); and commercialization of medical devices, including olfactory ones (Ahersla Health). The three aims of this proposal are (1) to launch Hub4Smell digital tools for collection, curation, and analysis of human olfactory data; (2) to develop a Hub4Smell online community to share expert knowledge and foster engagement in olfactory research, and (3) to validate the impact of smell testing on health outcomes and provider engagement via a large scale clinical trial. The project promises significant advances: increased widespread access to high-quality research tools to expand the reach of olfactory research, and expansion of the use of olfactory measurement and data quality. Altogether, Hub4Smell offers tools, essential data, and infrastructure for achieving the public health benefits enabled by a more complete assessment of human sensory function.