Dr. Ashirbani Saha has received funding for an important project aimed at improving the use of Artificial Intelligence in analyzing medical images for the benefit of patients. The project includes excellent training opportunities for new student collaborators.
Hello BRIGHT Run Family,
Happy November!
I am excited to share a research update with you. My proposed research program, “Building clinically-relevant, drift-tolerant AI models for continual usage in medical imaging,” has recently been awarded funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada in the Discovery Grant 2024 funding competition.
NSERC serves as the primary federal agency for funding research in the natural sciences and engineering fields in Canada. NSERC provides direct financial support to university professors and students, as well as Canadian companies, to conduct research and training initiatives.
My work, based on this funding, will develop innovative approaches to improve the robustness of AI models used in medical imaging analysis (e.g., mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, PET/CT), with an emphasis on breast cancer. This work will also support training of students and postdoctoral fellows at McMaster University. I am thankful to the funding agency for considering my proposed program.
So far, this fall has been an exciting and busy one. I am working with new collaborators and students who are getting trained on some new research directions. This is necessary as AI techniques are evolving at an enormous speed, opening new opportunities and challenges. I also bought some computing equipment to accomplish some imaging-related projects.
As you continue to contribute to BRIGHT Run every year so more research can be supported, I will continue to work on grant proposals so that we can embark on new and more research work, every year.
Repetition and refinement are necessary to build a body of work. Iterations make things special and more memorable. This is proven by several elements in our lives. For me, these include research, BRIGHT Run, and of course our fall season (see a photo of the super moon captured by my husband during this fall).
Stay safe and happy,
Best,
Ashirbani
Dr. Ashirbani Saha is the first holder of the BRIGHT Run Breast Cancer Learning Health System Chair, a permanent research position established by the BRIGHT Run in partnership with McMaster University.
