September 11, 2023

An AI-based test for Parkinson’s disease severity, developed by researchers from the Department of Computer Science and Medical Center’s Department of Neurology, has users repeat a simple hand gesture. (Getty Images photo)

Hajim School scientists continue to deploy artificial intelligence in exciting new frontiers with the potential to transform society for the better. A study in npj Digital Medicine describes an artificial intelligence tool developed by Rochester researchers that can help people with Parkinson’s disease remotely assess the severity of their symptoms within minutes.

By tapping their fingers 10 times in front of a webcam, users can have their motor performance assessed on a scale of 0–4. The AI system’s ratings were compared with those of three neurologists and three primary care physicians, and while expert neurologists performed slightly better than the AI model, the AI model outperformed the primary care physicians with UPDRS certification.

The study was led by Md. Saiful Islam, a Google PhD fellow and a graduate student in computer science advised by Associate Professor Ehsan Hoque, and was an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Computer Science and the Medical Center’s Department of Neurology. Ehsan calls the project “an example of how AI is being gradually introduced into health care to serve people outside of the clinic and improve health equity and access.”

Congratulations to all the researchers involved in this important project. Read more on the News Center.

COULD AI POWER THE FUTURE OF FUSION?

A view inside the OMEGA target chamber during an experiment at LLE. The OMEGA laser facility is used for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion research. (University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics photo / Eugene Kowaluk)

In a very different but potentially revolutionary application of AI, a team of Hajim and Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) researchers are working with Hewlett Packard Enterprise to explore how machine learning and data science can help predict, design, and improve laser-fusion implosions. The US Department of Energy is providing nearly $3 million in funding with the hope that artificial intelligence can help scientists take the next step toward creating fusion energy sources.

“Despite many years of laser-driven inertial confinement fusion research, there is not a clear path to the high-energy gains required for inertial fusion energy,” says principal investigator Riccardo Betti, LLE’s chief scientist and the Robert L. McCrory Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “However, we now have a wealth of experimental data that we can harness with machine learning to systematically correct the simulations and guide real-time adjustments to experiments.”

Riccardo’s co-PIs from Rochester include Associate Professor of Computer Science Christopher Kanan and LLE scientist Varchas Gopalaswamy. Learn more about this project at the News Center.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH ED HAJIM ‘58

Just before Meliora Weekend, the Hajim community will have an exciting opportunity to meet with University trustee and our school’s namesake, Ed Hajim ’58. The Hajim School and the Simon Business School will host an interactive Q&A session with Ed from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4 in the Sands-Constellation Auditorium to discuss his improbable path from overcoming a difficult childhood to becoming a successful Wall Street executive.

We are always delighted to welcome Ed back to campus and appreciate how much he loves connecting with our students and offering them advice. I’ll provide welcome remarks and the Q&A will be moderated by Sevin Yeltekin, dean of the Simon Business School. Advanced online registration for this event is encouraged.

GRAND CHALLENGES SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT: ABOBAKAR SEDIQ MIAKHEL

Abobakar Sediq Miakhel ’26, center, is a physics and mechanical engineering student whose team won first place in the competition for the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2023 for their app, AILEM.

The Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP)—inspired by 14 broad problems facing society in sustainability, health, security, and knowledge—provides students incredible opportunities to participate in entrepreneurial, global, interdisciplinary, and service-oriented experiences. Not only are they recognized with a formal designation at graduation, but they are also turning heads around the globe.

Abobakar Sediq Miakhel ’26 is a physics and mechanical engineering student working on the challenge to “Advance Personalized Learning.” Abobakar and his team have created an app, AILEM, with the mission of providing language education made for the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. This summer, they won first place in the competition for the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2023, awarded by the European Parliament for Belgium.

Congratulations to Abobakar and his team! He will be one of three students talking about their GCSP projects during an information session from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27 in the iZone. Emma Derisi, director of GCSP, will do a brief presentation on the program. Contact Emma for more information.

PEER TO PEER INTERNSHIP FAIR AND PANEL

Hajim School students interested in pursuing summer internships are encouraged to stop by an internship fair and panel hosted by the Greene Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 21. The event will feature a panel of students who have just completed their summer internships and are eager to share their stories.

After the panel, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with student hosts from Hajim departments to learn more about their internship experiences, the search processes, job functions, and what their next steps should be in securing their own summer internship. Pizza and prizes will be available.

The event takes place at the Feldman Ballroom in Douglass Hall. See the list of panelists and register for the event on Handshake.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman