Mila Associate Academic Member Samira Abbasgholizadeh-Rahimi was awarded a Canada Research Chair in Advanced Digital Primary Health Care on August 29, 2023, in recognition of the significance of her work at the intersection of artificial intelligence and family medicine.
Samira Abbasgholizadeh-Rahimi, also Assistant Professor at McGill University, leads a research group focused on developing, evaluating and implementing artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled decision support tools in primary healthcare.
“My research program is focusing on developing and implementing advanced digital health technologies such as AI-enabled decision support systems that support clinicians in early detection and effective management of chronic diseases, and help patients to make well-considered decisions about their care and treatment,” she explained.
For instance, her work can help clinicians speed up examination of a patient’s specific background and potential diseases by using a broad range of personalized data to better estimate the risk of having chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases.
Professor Rahimi's research group is also dedicated to advancing the responsible use of AI in healthcare settings.
Her research lab focuses on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and underrepresented communities, and strives to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusivity into the development and implementation of AI tools. Her group is committed to the ethical development of these technologies and to their practical implementation in clinical practice, ensuring that they are accessible and beneficial for all.
“This CRC will synergize with other supports of my research program such as that of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ), allowing my lab to leverage technologies like AI to develop new decision tools for patients and primary care providers—enhancing their decision-making capabilities; and advance inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility of these tools,” Rahimi said.
“I am honoured to be appointed as a Canada Research Chair, a prestigious recognition that provides me with the resources to not only sustain my existing research endeavours but also to initiate new projects within my research lab. My ultimate objective is to drive impactful improvements in our primary healthcare system by promoting the ethical and effective application of AI tools,” she concluded.
