Malaria No More, the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, and the Reaching the Last Mile program launched the Institute for Malaria and Climate Solutions (IMACS) to combat malaria amidst climate change. Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) joined as a technical partner, providing research support leveraging AI and data science. The initiative aims to develop and implement AI-driven strategies to address the impact of climate change on malaria transmission. Why it matters: This partnership highlights the UAE's commitment to using AI for global health challenges, particularly in combating climate-sensitive diseases like malaria.
Professor Arnab Pain's group at KAUST discovered new insights on how a malaria protein enables parasites to spread malaria in human cells. Professor Haavard Rue's group upgraded the Integrated and Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) for faster real-time modeling of large datasets. A KAUST-led study examined the stability of Y-series nonfullerene acceptors for organic solar cells. Why it matters: KAUST continues producing impactful research across diverse fields from medicine to climate change, advancing scientific knowledge and potential applications.
KAUST alumnus Abhinay Ramaprasad (M.S. '12, Ph.D. '17) has been awarded the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship from the European Commission. He will research malaria at the Francis Crick Institute in the U.K., focusing on the mechanisms of malaria parasite egress from red blood cells. Ramaprasad credits his time at KAUST and his work in Professor Arnab Pain's laboratory for preparing him for this opportunity. Why it matters: This fellowship recognizes the high-quality research training at KAUST and supports important work in combating a disease prevalent in many regions, reflecting KAUST's impact on global health.
MBZUAI is developing AI-powered applications to help reduce malaria's impact in Indonesia, supported by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Reaching the Last Mile initiative. The applications use sensory data fusion to create "digital twins" for precise weather forecasting and real-time environmental representation. AI and clustering analysis identify recurring features contributing to malaria outbreaks, enabling preventative measures and early treatment. Why it matters: This project demonstrates AI's potential in combating climate-sensitive diseases and improving public health in vulnerable regions.
Malaria No More (MNM), Reaching the Last Mile (RLM), and MBZUAI have signed an agreement to expand the Forecasting Healthy Futures (FHF) initiative with a $5 million award from RLM. The initiative aims to address the impact of climate change on malaria and other climate-sensitive infectious diseases. MBZUAI will provide expertise to support the eradication of malaria. Why it matters: This partnership highlights the UAE's commitment to global health and leverages AI to combat climate-sensitive diseases, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing complex global challenges.
MBZUAI celebrated its Board Chairman, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, being appointed as UAE COP28 President-Designate. MBZUAI has recently signed agreements with IBM and Malaria No More/Reaching Last Mile to better understand and mitigate the effects of climate change. The UAE will host the annual climate summit at Expo City, Dubai, from November 30 to December 12, 2023. Why it matters: This appointment highlights the UAE's leadership in climate action and the role AI can play in addressing climate change challenges.
MBZUAI researchers are developing AI applications for malaria prevention in Indonesia using sensory data fusion and digital twins. Another MBZUAI team is using machine learning and computer vision to detect cardiovascular disease from CT scans in collaboration with the University of Oxford. AI-powered remote patient monitoring is also being explored for proactive interventions and chronic disease management. Why it matters: These projects demonstrate the potential of AI to address healthcare challenges in underserved communities and improve disease prevention and management in the region.
MBZUAI and United Al-Saqer Group have signed a 10-year research endowment agreement to advance AI in digital health. The funds will support health research projects at MBZUAI under the name of H.E. Sheikh Mohamed bin Butti Al Hamed. MBZUAI is already conducting research projects in areas like malaria spread, early detection of cardio and fetal abnormalities, and remote patient monitoring. Why it matters: This partnership highlights the UAE's commitment to leveraging AI for healthcare innovation and aligns with Abu Dhabi's 2030 Economic Vision.