Functional Adaptive Double-Sparisty Estimator for Multivariate Functional Linear Regression Models

25 skeletal joints captured by a Kinect sensor

Timed Up and Go Test

The estimated coefficient functions of vertical velocity for different joints. Each curve represents the estimated coefficient function of a joint and is color coded based on its position of body skeleton.

We have been developing a new multivariate functional linear regression model with one-stage double-sparsity estimation to simultaneously achieve global sparsity in functional covariate selection and local sparsity in coefficient estimation with zero sub-regions. The method is practically appealing to analyze multiple signals monitored by sensor devices. For example, we applied our method to assess the association between multi-joint movement patterns captured by a Kinect Sensor and elderly physical health assessments.

Deep Learning and Explainable AI for Dementia Prediction

Raw MRI image

Heatmap

MRI with Heatmap

Dementia-related conditions cause significant cognitive impairment and are often economically and socially burdensome to society. Accurate prediction of future cognitive decline can allow for interventions that slow neurodegeneration and improve health outcomes. Our work has focused on using deep learning to develop explainable prediction models for dementia using MRI data.  

Medical Image Translation with An Application in Immunostaining

Basic model framwork

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining is the gold standard for diagnosing a range of histopathologic conditions, however, it can be fairly time intensive. Our lab has been focused on training neural networks on H&E imaging data to develop a model that can perform the staining procedure virtually. In addition, we are also interested in how explainable AI techniques can provide practical information to clinicians during the staining process.

Clinical Prediction Models in Geriatrics

(A) Daily activity taken from smart watches worn by elderly residents in the United Kingdom

(B) A partial dependence plot showing how our depression screening model predicts depression risk for varying levels of life satisfaction among elderly Chinese

As the global population ages greater attention is being given to personal health monitoring, predicting patient outcomes, and early disease detection in elderly populations. We have a keen interest in developing prediction models in geriatrics, particularly for psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Our recent work has included depression screening in China and suicide prediction in the United Kingdom. Additionally, we have been exploring if objective activity measurements from wearable devices can improve prediction models for dementia and suicide.