From Feature Engineering to Foundation Models: A Journey of AI in Health at Liverpool

18^th November 2025, 13:00 ELEC201, 2th Floor Lecture Theater EEE
Yalin Zheng
Dept. of Eye and Vision Science, UoL

Abstract

This talk traces the evolution of AI research in healthcare at the University of Liverpool, beginning with traditional diagnostic models based on handcrafted features. It highlights our pioneering work in applying deep learning to diabetic retinopathy detection, leading to a successful spinout. The journey continues through the adoption of generative AI and foundation models, expanding applications to brain, heart, and cancer imaging. Real-world case studies will illustrate the impact and challenges of deploying AI in clinical settings. Finally, the talk will explore future directions, including the role of AI in preventive health and population-level screening, emphasizing the importance of translational research and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Biography

Professor Yalin Zheng is Professor of AI in Healthcare at the University of Liverpool. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Southampton in 2003, followed by a research fellowship at King's College London and an industry role at Medicsight PLC before joining Liverpool in 2008. His research focuses on artificial intelligence and computer vision for medical image analysis. He develops advanced deep learning models for disease detection, diagnosis, and prognosis, with applications in radiology and oculomics. Professor Zheng has published over 300 papers. He is Principal Investigator for projects totaling over £7 million and Co-Investigator on grants exceeding £15 million, funded by Horizon Europe, UKRI, and industry partners. These projects focus on AI evaluation, clinical usability, and digital health innovation.