MBZUAI alumnus Numan Saeed is applying machine learning to medical imaging and cancer research as a research scientist at the University. He collaborates with UAE hospitals like Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and Cleveland Clinic to build datasets and gather clinical feedback. Saeed's team is developing a model focused on head and neck cancer using the HECKTOR dataset and local data. Why it matters: This research contributes to the UAE's healthcare ambitions by enabling earlier diagnosis and personalized care through AI-driven analysis of medical images.
MBZUAI alumnus Steven Hoang, a 2023 Machine Learning graduate, is now an AI engineer at Wells Fargo, where he contributes to the company's AI strategy. Previously, Hoang worked at AbbVie as a natural language software developer and agentic AI software engineer. Hoang credits his time at MBZUAI for preparing him for this significant role, where he collaborates across departments and considers the broader impact of AI initiatives. Why it matters: This success story highlights MBZUAI's role in developing talent capable of leading AI initiatives at major global financial institutions.
MBZUAI alumnus Abdelrahman Shaker reflects on his evolving definition of impact in AI research, now valuing real-world usefulness over publication count. His work on efficient models like SwiftFormer (ICCV'23) and EdgeNext saw unexpected adoption, with millions of downloads and integration into real-world applications. Shaker chose MBZUAI for its faculty alignment, resulting in 10 publications and over 2,500 citations by graduation. Why it matters: This highlights the increasing focus on practical applications and real-world impact within the AI research community in the GCC region, as opposed to purely academic metrics.
MBZUAI alumnus Ikboljon Sobirov is using AI to develop new diagnostic tools for cardiovascular disease at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on building imaging biomarkers by integrating transcriptomic data with medical scans. The goal is to predict how a patient will respond to specific medications using only images. Why it matters: This work showcases the potential of AI and multi-modal data to personalize medicine and improve healthcare outcomes in the region and globally.
Maryam Ahmed Hassani, an MBZUAI graduate and head of trends and innovation at Abu Dhabi’s Early Childhood Authority (ECA), is integrating AI into early childhood development to create efficient and human-focused systems. She aims to develop tools that personalize support for parents and predict developmental risks early on. Hassani also co-founded Zealous, an AI startup focused on AI code generation and testing, launching AI-native products including an AI-automated tester for websites and web apps. Why it matters: This highlights the growing application of AI in public sector challenges within the UAE, specifically in early childhood development and software development.
Dr. Farida Al Hosani, a UAE public health leader and MBZUAI Executive Program graduate, has been at the forefront of the nation’s public health strategy, specializing in infectious diseases. She emphasizes the growing importance of AI in healthcare, particularly in areas like early detection, drug discovery, and public health strategies. Al Hosani has worked on several AI initiatives, including building algorithms and predictive modeling systems to bridge gaps in human health, especially in prevention. Why it matters: This highlights the increasing role of AI in transforming healthcare in the UAE, with public health leaders leveraging AI tools to improve disease prevention and treatment.
MBZUAI alumnus Hanan Gani, a 2024 master's graduate in machine learning, is now a research associate at MBZUAI working on a meteorological project with the UAE government. He also focuses on multimodal and embodied intelligence research, mentors AI students, and has published nine papers during his time at MBZUAI. His research includes work on vision transformers, text-to-image generation, and large multimodal models. Why it matters: Showcases MBZUAI's role in attracting and developing AI talent within the UAE, contributing to the nation's AI research capabilities.
Faris Almalik, an MBZUAI alumnus, discusses his journey from mechanical engineering to becoming a senior data scientist at the Department of Government Enablement – TAMM in Abu Dhabi. Almalik emphasizes his passion for continuous learning and knowledge sharing, which has driven his career across defense, education, finance, and government sectors. He published his first paper on adversarial attacks on medical imaging at MICCAI during his time at MBZUAI. Why it matters: This highlights the success of MBZUAI in producing impactful AI professionals who contribute to both research and practical applications in key sectors within the UAE.