An AI Research Lead at Q.bio and a former Ph.D. in Bioengineering from UCLA,
with over eight years of experience advancing AI applications in healthcare and medical imaging.
Generative AI, 3D Medical Imaging, and Multi-Modal Large Language Models (LLM)
I am a Staff Machine Learning Engineer and AI Research Lead at Q.bio, where I lead the development of cutting-edge AI solutions for medical imaging and healthcare applications. My focus is on creating advanced generative AI models and scalable multi-modal systems that push the boundaries of healthcare technology.
My research spans across generative AI models, particularly in the areas of 3D MRI super-resolution, image enhancement, and workflow automation. I specialize in image generation models such as Variational Autoencoders (VAE), Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN), and Diffusion Models, as well as transformer-based multi-modal large language models (LLMs).
I have authored numerous peer-reviewed papers, including the mDCSRN network, accumulating over 1,000 citations. My work has been featured in top-tier conferences and journals such as MICCAI, ISMRM, and IEEE. I also hold multiple patents in the fields of medical imaging and deep learning, showcasing my contributions to advancing AI technology.
Prior to Q.bio, I interned at Nvidia as a Research Scientist, where I developed novel deep learning algorithms for medical image segmentation under the supervision of Dr. Daguang Xu.
Academically, I hold a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from UCLA, where I was supervised by Dr. Debiao Li, Director of the Biomedical Imaging Research Institute (BIRI) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. My doctoral research focused on developing novel AI methods for enhancing medical imaging.
Additionally, I hold dual Master's degrees in Bioengineering and Computer & Information Technology from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). I have also interned at VoxelCloud, Philips Research, and the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at MGH/Harvard-MIT, working with leaders in AI and medical imaging.
You can learn more about my research and explore my publications.
I am deeply passionate about developing innovative AI models, particularly in the field of generative AI, to tackle complex medical imaging challenges. As an expert in 3D generative models, large-scale deep learning frameworks, and multi-modal large language models (LLMs), I have driven significant advancements in MRI reconstruction, segmentation, and workflow automation. My focus is on technical rigor and scalability, ensuring that AI solutions not only push technological boundaries but also deliver tangible improvements in real-world applications.
As a researcher, developer, and technology enthusiast, I constantly seek out uncharted territories to explore. I have a strong ability to identify areas for improvement, propose innovative solutions, and quickly implement them into prototypes, iterating to enhance performance. I thrive on solving challenging engineering problems using the latest AI techniques. I firmly believe that AI has the potential to revolutionize industries beyond healthcare, enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and automating repetitive tasks. My ultimate goal is to ensure that AI becomes a genuinely valuable tool for humanity—not just a buzzword.
I excel in cross-functional team environments, collaborating closely with engineers, scientists, and clinicians to develop AI solutions tailored to the needs of the medical community. With strong communication skills, I effectively convey complex AI concepts to non-technical stakeholders, driving projects forward with clear objectives and measurable milestones. My diverse experience in both academia and industry gives me a unique perspective on AI research and development, allowing me to bridge the gap between cutting-edge innovation and practical, real-world applications.
Outside of my professional life, I am an avid runner. Over the past four years, I have participated in several marathon races, recently achieving a personal best of 3:25 at the California International Marathon (CIM). I am currently training to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Running, like research, requires persistence, discipline, and resilience. I apply data-driven approaches to improve my training, and I believe the spirit of marathon running mirrors the spirit of research—both demand dedication, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to improvement.
I develop AI systems from the ground up, layer by layer with Pytorch, focusing on real-world applications in medical imaging. My hands-on work includes:
This work has transformed MRI reconstruction and diagnostic processes, ensuring scalability and efficiency while maintaining high accuracy in real-world medical settings.
Leading the development of multi-modal large language models (LLMs) and visual foundation models for healthcare applications. Spearheading innovations in AI-driven medical imaging and establishing the AI Research Team. Collaborated with executives to shape the company’s long-term AI strategy.
Engineered and deployed 3D AI models for fully autonomous MRI scanning systems, achieving sub-second inference times. Led projects that reduced scan times by up to 9x and improved image quality by 27x, directly enhancing product performance and attracting new investors.
Developed and implemented AI models for MRI segmentation and fast image reconstruction, improving processing speeds by 3000x. Designed a scalable deep learning infrastructure for multi-GPU training, which became the cornerstone of the company’s AI operations.
Pioneered a Network Architecture Search (NAS) method for 3D medical image segmentation, reducing search times from weeks to minutes. Conducted large-scale benchmarking on 28,000+ GPU hours, optimizing network performance for medical applications.
Designed and implemented 3D neural networks for lung CT analysis, achieving state-of-the-art results. Contributed to prototyping and feature releases in collaboration with the engineering team.
Developed neural networks to identify patients with congestive heart failure using time-series data from 140,000 patients, achieving an AUROC of 88.55. Applied AI techniques to real-world clinical data at scale.
Led the development of the multi-atlas label fusion (MALF) segmentation algorithm for brain imaging, improving segmentation accuracy and advancing the state-of-the-art in medical imaging.
School of Engineering and Applied Science
University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
School of Engineering and Applied Science
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
School of Engineering and Applied Science
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Sino-Dutch Biomedical and Information Engineering School
Northeastern University, Liaoning, China
Y Chen, F Shi, AG Christodoulou, Y Xie, Z Zhou, D Li
International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention (MICCAI), 11070, 91-99, 2018
Y Chen, Y Xie, Z Zhou, F Shi, AG Christodoulou, D Li
2018 IEEE 15th International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI 2018), 320-324, 2018
Y Chen, D Ruan, J Xiao, L Wang, B Sun, R Saouaf, W Yang, D Li, Z Fan
Medical Physics, 47 (10), 4971-4982, 2020
J Wang, Y Chen, Y Wu, J Shi, J Gee
Proceedings of the IEEE/CVF Winter Conference on Applications of Computer Vision (WACV), 3627-3636, 2020
Y Chen, AG Christodoulou, Z Zhou, F Shi, Y Xie, D Li
arXiv preprint arXiv:2003.01217, 55, 2020
Y Chen, JL Shaw, Y Xie, D Li, AG Christodoulou
Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention (MICCAI), 495-504, 2019