On March 7th, the Faculty of Engineering and the University of Computer Science held their fifth annual Biotechnology Conference at the Long Island campus of the New York Institute of Technology. Industry leaders, entrepreneurs, New York technical faculty, students and staff gathered to exchange innovative research and share ideas centered around the conference theme.
With this conference, expert experts promoted the goal of changing the future of medicine and treatment through artificial intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge technology, working together from the overall field.
Dr. Hank Foley began the meeting with guests in welcoming them. He reminded the audience that Long Island is a hub for innovative technology development, celebrated the contributions of New York's technology to its culture, and invited everyone to tour the newly completed biomedical research, innovation and imaging center (BRIIC) on campus.
Dr. Babac D. Beshti, dean of the University of Engineering and Computing Sciences, praised his cutting-edge work to fundamentally strengthen patient success in the field of healthcare. “The challenges we face today, such as healthcare, sustainability, technology, and more, are in demand for bold solutions,” he said. He urged participants to use the opportunity to connect with their fellow healthcare and computing pioneers.
Evan Shlofmitz, FACC (DO '10), director of intravascular imaging at St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center, shared in his keynote speech how AI can enhance the diagnostic capabilities of healthcare professionals. “Experience is important,” he asserted, but not all physicians have sufficient experience with the procedures they take with their patients. However, AI “promises to fill that gap.” He hopes that using AI more widely will lead to doctors more comfortable with a wider range of medical procedures, leading to more accurate patient diagnosis.
Other presentations include how employees in healthcare issues benefit from AI, the role of computing in integrated structural biology, and how AI advances stem cell maturation detection in cardiovascular disease treatment.
David Putrino, Ph.D. , Professor of Rehabilitation and Human Performance at Icahn School of Medicine in Mount Sinai explained how the computer interface of the brain can improve the autonomy and privacy of people with neurological disorders. The audience watched a video of a man controlling a desktop computer using only his brain. Putrino pointed out the smiles of men and showed how technology solutions can dramatically improve accessibility in healthcare.
The meeting continued with a Q&A featuring the founders of biotech startups. Thrasyvoulos (Thras) Karydis, M.Sc., DeepCure; Dr. Kabe Vezidani of Dalmiyan. The three entrepreneurs shared insights into attracting investors, building teams and navigating growth.
The final session included a presentation on how to use AI in medical education, using deep learning to identify tumors early in young children. Dr. Milano Toma, assistant professor of clinical science at the School of Osteopathic Medicine, warned the audience to be vigilant about AI until it is robust enough to be clinically applicable. The AI diagnostic model “proves accuracy,” he said, “but they don't show how reliable their accuracy is.”
Stephen P. Welby, Ph.D. , a former special assistant to the chairman of science and technology policy, closed the meeting by examining the intersection of biotechnology, AI, and public policy. He expressed optimism about all the potential uses of AI. “It's early. There's still so much to do in these spaces!” he declared excitedly.
Several presenters came from computer science backgrounds, but they were all enthusiastic about the possibility of applying computing to healthcare. “It's interesting to see how AI is implemented in medicine,” said Nicole McCormack, a computer science student. “I like learning how you can take with AI development.”
Attendees then looked at posters showing cutting-edge biotechnology research conducted by New York's technical faculty and students, and examined an impressive prototype of the NASA patent developed by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation at the New York Institute of Technology.
Professors, industry experts, global leaders and student innovators mixed in at the deadline luncheon to show how meetings like this can unite people in their departments, fields and career paths. With new connections formed and relationships falsified, guests are ready to leave the 2025 Biotechnology Conference and build life-saving future technology.
Sophie Yoakum, College of Engineering Science Programs and Retention Coordinator
