Aqil K H | Artificial intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Aqil K H | Artificial intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Indian institute of technology Madras-India

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits 📚

Dr. Aqil K H’s passion for electrical engineering and innovation began at a young age in Kerala, India. His academic journey started at the Model Technical Higher Secondary School in Ernakulam, where he excelled in the state board exams, securing an impressive 98.33% in 2012 for his X standard and 95.58% in 2014 for his XII standard. These early achievements underscored his commitment to learning and laid the foundation for his future success. After completing his pre-university education, he pursued a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) from the prestigious Government Model Engineering College in Ernakulam, Kerala, where he graduated with a commendable CGPA of 8.36 in 2018. His strong academic foundation and technical skills positioned him for higher studies and research.

Professional Endeavors 🌍

Dr. Aqil’s career began as a Software Engineer at Kimball Electronics (India) Pvt. Ltd., where he contributed to various projects within the image processing domain. His role involved the development of computer vision frameworks and algorithm optimization for improving image quality. Working closely with clients in Vietnam, he demonstrated his adaptability and ability to manage real-world challenges, marking his early years of professional growth.In 2020, Dr. Aqil transitioned into research, joining the Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC) at IIT Madras, one of the country’s leading research institutes. As a Research Associate, he worked on several impactful projects. One notable project was the X-ray angiography image enhancement initiative, where he collaborated with industry partners to enhance imaging technology. His work on precision medicine for chronic diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s, further expanded his contributions to healthcare innovations. This multi-modal time series forecasting system, aimed at predicting disease progression, utilized cutting-edge techniques like graph representation learning.Additionally, Dr. Aqil became associated with the Sudha Gopalakrishnan BRAIN Centre at IIT-M, where he contributed to groundbreaking research in fetal brain MRI segmentation and histopathology image segmentation. These projects highlighted his ability to apply machine learning and image processing techniques to critical medical fields.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Aqil’s research primarily focuses on deep learning, machine learning, and image processing, with a particular interest in healthcare applications. His expertise lies in creating sophisticated algorithms and frameworks for medical imaging, including MRI segmentation, dental panoramic X-ray analysis, and time-series forecasting for clinical outcomes.

Some of his key projects include:

  • Learning to Atlas Register for Rapid Segmentation of Brain Structures in Fetal MRI: This innovative project addressed challenges in brain segmentation, focusing on multilabel atlas-based segmentation. By using the VoxelMorph’s CNN architecture, Dr. Aqil formulated registration as a deformation field that aligned neurotypical brain images for better diagnosis.
  • Time Series Forecasting of Clinical Factors and Outcomes: This project was geared toward Alzheimer’s disease prediction, using a graph representation learning approach. Dr. Aqil proposed a novel framework that operated on dynamic graphs, translating medical data into actionable insights for clinicians.
  • Accelerated MRI with Untrained Neural Networks: Addressing the problem of MRI reconstruction, this project leveraged untrained neural networks to solve issues related to undersampling, using innovative techniques like ConvDecoder.

His work on dental panoramic X-ray segmentation utilized deep learning techniques to enable the early diagnosis of dental disorders. Dr. Aqil’s fascination with machine learning also extended into areas of face recognition technology, where he developed a door access control system based on K-L transform for face recognition.

Accolades and Recognition 🏅

Throughout his career, Dr. Aqil has earned widespread recognition for his contributions to both research and industry. His academic achievements, such as a CGPA of 9.00 in his Master’s program at IIT-Madras, reflect his dedication to excellence. His research endeavors at IIT-Madras’s HTIC and BRAIN Centre have led to publications that have earned citations, indicating his growing influence in the field of medical image processing and machine learning.

Impact and Influence 🌟

Dr. Aqil’s research has had a profound impact on the field of medical imaging. His work on X-ray angiography and fetal brain MRI segmentation has improved diagnostic capabilities, helping doctors make more informed decisions. The time series forecasting systems he developed for Alzheimer’s disease prediction are poised to revolutionize how chronic diseases are managed and treated. His contributions to precision medicine are critical in an era where personalized treatment plans are becoming the norm.His research contributions extend beyond academic circles, as his image processing frameworks are being implemented in real-world medical settings, influencing the future of healthcare technology.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🚀

Dr. Aqil K H is set to leave a lasting legacy in the intersection of electrical engineering and healthcare technology. His groundbreaking work in image processing and deep learning promises to continue shaping the future of medical diagnostics. As a researcher, his contributions to accelerated MRI reconstruction and graph-based time-series forecasting have set new standards in medical imaging research. His passion for education, research, and technological advancement ensures that his work will inspire future engineers and researchers.In the coming years, Dr. Aqil aims to expand his research to include multi-modal medical data integration and AI-driven healthcare solutions, further pushing the boundaries of how technology can improve human health. His dedication to innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning will undoubtedly leave an enduring mark on the fields of deep learning and medical imaging.

Notable Publications 

  • Predictive Modeling of Alzheimer’s Disease Progression: Integrating Temporal Clinical Factors and Outcomes in Time Series Forecasting
    Authors: Aqil, K.H., Dumpuri, P., Ram, K., Sivaprakasam, M.
    Journal: Intelligence-Based Medicine, 2024.
  • Confounding Factors Mitigation in Brain Age Prediction Using MRI with Deformation Fields
    Authors: Aqil, K.H., Kulkarni, T., Jayakumar, J., Ram, K., Sivaprakasam, M.
    Journal: Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), 2023.
  • Learning to Atlas Register for Rapid Segmentation of Brain Structures in Fetal MRI
    Authors: Kulkarni, T., Aqil, K.H., Jayakumar, J., Ram, K., Sivaprakasam, M.
    Journal: Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging – Proceedings of SPIE, 2023.