Biography:
Mihaela van der Schaar is a renowned scientist and academic who has made significant contributions to the fields of machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and medicine. She currently holds the position of John Humphrey Plummer Professor of Machine Learning, AI, and Medicine at the University of Cambridge, where she also serves as the director of the Cambridge Centre for AI in Medicine (CCAIM). Additionally, she holds the position of Chancellor’s Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Born and raised in the Netherlands, van der Schaar pursued her higher education at the Eindhoven University of Technology. In 1996, she obtained a joint Bachelor’s/Master’s degree and went on to earn her Doctoral degree in 2001. Notably, van der Schaar was the only woman in her class, which comprised over 200 students. Her early achievements and perseverance laid the foundation for her future success.
Van der Schaar’s career began at Philips Research Laboratories, where she simultaneously worked as a researcher while completing her PhD. During her time at Philips, she made significant contributions to the field of video streaming by developing the first algorithm for this technology. She represented Philips at the International Organization for Standardization from 1999 to 2003 and played a crucial role in establishing early streaming standards.
In 2005, van der Schaar joined the faculty at UCLA, where she embarked on a journey to further explore the intersection of engineering, economics, learning, and networks. In 2011, she founded the Center for Engineering Economics, Learning, and Networks at UCLA, which she directed until its dissolution in 2016. Her commitment to interdisciplinary research and her ability to bridge different fields became evident during her tenure at UCLA.
From 2016 to 2018, van der Schaar held the prestigious Man Professorship of Quantitative Finance at the Oxford-Man Institute of Quantitative Finance. This position allowed her to delve into the realms of finance and apply her expertise in machine learning and AI to this field. Her multidimensional approach to research and innovative thinking enabled her to make significant contributions to the field of quantitative finance.
In 2018, van der Schaar joined the faculty at the University of Cambridge, taking up the position of John Humphrey Plummer Professor. Her research focus shifted towards the medical applications of computer engineering, particularly in the realm of AI-enabled personalized medicine. Her pioneering work in this field has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, improving patient outcomes and enhancing the efficiency of medical treatments.
In November 2020, van der Schaar was appointed as the director of the Cambridge Centre for AI in Medicine, a collaborative research initiative between the University of Cambridge, GlaxoSmithKline, and AstraZeneca. This partnership aims to advance the application of machine learning in the field of medicine, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.
Notably, van der Schaar’s research group played a vital role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In collaboration with the UK National Health Service, her team utilized machine learning to predict shortages of ICU beds and ventilators in English hospitals. This contribution showcases the practical applications of her work and its potential to address pressing healthcare challenges.
Throughout her career, van der Schaar has authored over 250 academic journal articles and has submitted over 275 conference papers. Her groundbreaking research has resulted in 35 US patents and has made significant contributions to over 45 international standards. Her work has been widely recognized and cited, with over 23,000 citations to date.
Awards:
– Fellow of the IEEE (2009)
– Fellowship with the Alan Turing Institute (2016)
– National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2004)
– IEEE Darlington Award (2011)
– Oon Prize on Preventative Medicine from the University of Cambridge (2018)
Mihaela van der Schaar’s exceptional contributions to the fields of machine learning, AI, and medicine have solidified her position as a prominent figure in academia and a driving force behind transformative innovations. Her dedication to research, interdisciplinary collaborations, and the pursuit of personalized medicine has the potential to shape the future of healthcare and improve the lives of countless individuals.