At the intersection of healthcare, AI, and human behavior, I've spent my career asking one fundamental question: How can we make technology truly work for people? From founding Tappr, where we helped Fortune 50 companies understand the future of consumer behavior, to now leading UX strategy at Leap AI where we're reshaping healthcare through artificial intelligence, I've discovered that the most powerful innovations start with understanding human needs.
My journey began in an unexpected place - advertising at the University of Kansas. This foundation in understanding human behavior evolved through my doctoral work in public health at Berkeley, ultimately leading me to PARC (now part of SRI), where I spent over a decade turning research insights into groundbreaking innovations.
At PARC, I learned that innovation isn't just about technology - it's about deeply understanding human needs and behaviors. During my progression to Principal UX Researcher, I led international research initiatives with industry leaders like Sony, Procter & Gamble, Panasonic, Fujitsu, and Alcon. Working closely with our team in Japan and managing cross-cultural research projects, I helped these companies understand and serve the US market more effectively. A significant portion of my work involved extensive collaboration with Xerox, where I championed projects that bridged the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world user needs. My insights and research have been featured in both academic publications and popular press, including my TechCrunch article "Is Your Product's AI Annoying People?" which explored the human side of artificial intelligence.
Founding Tappr marked a pivotal moment in my career. Working with industry leaders including PARC (Palo Alto Research Center), Alpha Staff, PepsiCo, Netflix, and DoorDash, we fundamentally changed how companies understand and respond to consumer behavior, helping shape the future of consumer experiences.
My work spans diverse sectors, each presenting unique human challenges:
Augmented Reality 👓: Developing industrial maintenance and training tools
Consumer Packaged Goods 📦: Revolutionizing beverage and packaging innovation
Entertainment & Streaming 🎬: Creating engaging platforms and digital content experiences
Food Delivery & Logistics 🚚: Solving last-mile fulfillment challenges - explored in "Mobile Ordering Lets Customers Cut in Line — And That's a Problem" (Venture Beat)
Healthcare & AI 🏥: Leading UX strategy at Leap AI, ensuring AI solutions truly serve healthcare professionals and patients
Human Resources 👥: Developing talent management and workforce solutions
Global Health & Community Impact 🌍: Experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua, implementing community health initiatives and developing culturally-sensitive healthcare solutions
Smart Home Technology 🏠: Developing IoT-enabled housing solutions that enhance daily living
Robotics & Automation 🤖: Designing office automation and delivery systems that enhance human capabilities
Urban Mobility 🚗: Innovating smart parking systems and commercial trucking technology - insights shared in "Nine Requirements for a Successful Private Ridesharing System" (TechCrunch)
Innovation-Projects-Across-Industries-James-Glasnapp-DrPH.pdf
Today at Leap AI, I lead UX strategy to reimagine healthcare through artificial intelligence. My focus is on creating user experiences that meaningfully improve how healthcare professionals work and how patients receive care. By collaborating closely with founders, product managers, engineers, and healthcare professionals, I ensure our innovations truly serve real human needs.
<aside> At Leap AI, we're pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Our mission is to enhance medical professionals' capabilities while making advanced healthcare more accessible. Through intuitive UX design and powerful AI technology, we're creating tools that streamline diagnosis, improve patient care, and revolutionize the healthcare experience.
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I'm thrilled to share GeneLeap, our newest portfolio company that's revolutionizing genetic testing through AI to make personalized medicine more accessible.