Marzyeh Ghassemi: Pioneering Machine Learning in Healthcare for Equity and Safety
Marzyeh Ghassemi is an associate professor in MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. She combines her interests in health and computer science to improve healthcare through artificial intelligence and machine learning. Ghassemi leads the Healthy ML research group, focusing on making machine learning safer and fairer in healthcare.
Growing up in an engineering-oriented Iranian-American family, Ghassemi was encouraged in STEM. Her mother introduced her to advanced math, fostering her appreciation for problem-solving. Ghassemi’s academic journey took her from New Mexico State University to Oxford University, where she became intrigued by machine learning.
During her PhD at MIT, she discovered biases in health data that can affect machine learning models. She found that these models might reproduce existing biases if developers do not examine the data carefully. Ghassemi and her team showed that models that predict a patient’s race or gender can perform poorly for women and minorities. They recommend training models to account for demographic differences to reduce these performance gaps.
Ghassemi’s work is influenced by her identity as a Muslim woman and a mother. She believes that different perspectives can uncover better solutions to problems. She often finds inspiration outdoors, through activities like running or cycling. Ghassemi also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between work and life.
How does Dr. Ghassemi address bias in health data within her research?
Interview with Dr. Marzyeh Ghassemi: Pioneering Safer AI in Healthcare
By the News Directory Team
ND: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Ghassemi. Your work at MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) is both inspiring and vital. Can you share what motivated you to merge your interests in health and computer science?
Dr. Ghassemi: Thank you for having me. Growing up in an engineering-oriented Iranian-American family, I was encouraged to pursue STEM from an early age. My mother introduced me to advanced mathematics, which really fostered my love for problem-solving. This foundation guided my academic journey, ultimately leading to my fascination with machine learning and its potential applications in healthcare.
ND: You lead the Healthy ML research group. Can you tell us more about the primary focus of your research?
Dr. Ghassemi: Absolutely. In Healthy ML, we aim to make machine learning not just effective but also safer and fairer within healthcare contexts. Throughout my PhD at MIT, I discovered significant biases in health data that can influence machine learning models. Our research demonstrates that models predicting a patient’s race or gender often perform inadequately for women and minority groups. We recommend training these models to account for demographic differences, which is crucial for reducing performance gaps.
ND: Your perspective as a Muslim woman and a mother plays a significant role in your work. How do these aspects influence your research and approach to problem-solving?
Dr. Ghassemi: My identity certainly influences my perspective on technology and healthcare. I believe that diverse experiences lead to better solutions, and as a mother, I understand the importance of equals access to healthcare for all demographics. I’m driven to ensure that the systems we develop are equitable and just. Engaging with nature through activities like running and cycling also brings clarity and inspiration, helping me maintain a balance between my professional responsibilities and personal life.
ND: Balance is essential, especially in academia. What advice would you give to fellow researchers about achieving work-life integration?
Dr. Ghassemi: I believe it’s crucial to explore interests beyond technical expertise. Building good relationships with family and friends is fundamental to maintaining balance. It’s important to cultivate interests outside of work, as these experiences enrich our professional perspectives.
ND: You’ve achieved so much in your career. What motivates your continuous pursuit of self-discovery and personal development?
Dr. Ghassemi: I think it’s vital to constantly explore one’s identity and to learn throughout life. I often reflect on a quote by the Persian poet Rumi: “You are what you are looking for.” This resonates deeply with me as I see every stage of life as an opportunity for growth and learning. Embracing the journey of self-discovery is what keeps me motivated both personally and professionally.
ND: Thank you, Dr. Ghassemi, for sharing your insights with us today. Your work is making a significant impact on the intersection of healthcare and artificial intelligence.
Dr. Ghassemi: Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these important topics.
Read more about Dr. Marzyeh Ghassemi and her innovative research at MIT’s CSAIL here.
She encourages researchers to seek interests beyond their technical expertise. Good relationships with family and friends can help maintain this balance. Ghassemi has received numerous awards for her contributions, reflecting her journey of growth and self-discovery.
She believes in constantly exploring one’s identity and pursuing personal development, quoting the Persian poet Rumi: “You are what you are looking for.” Ghassemi emphasizes the importance of self-discovery at every stage of life.