Transitioned from AI research to immunology studies
In a surprising career pivot, the renowned machine learning expert, known for co-founding a popular website and creating the most widely-used deep learning courses, has recently embarked on a new journey: studying immunology. With a background in mathematics, computer science, and linguistics, the author has now added immunology to their impressive resume, starting a Masters in Immunology graduate program last month.
The author's fascination with medicine and its interplay with technology has been a recurring theme throughout their career. They have published articles on machine learning in medicine, been an invited keynote speaker for Stanford's AI in Medicine symposium, and even conducted mathematical modelling of cell processes as part of a Howard Hughes Medical Institute fellowship.
The author's latest interest in immunology is driven by the increasing importance of the field in the face of the pandemicene—a period characterized by increasingly likely pandemics. Immunology, virology, and microbiology will become even more crucial in the coming decades, as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic underscores.
One area of particular interest to the author is the link between viral infections and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent research has shown that viral infections, especially herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), are more prevalent in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Observational studies suggest that HSV-1 infection may raise Alzheimer's risk by up to 13–80%, with the strongest associations reported in those carrying the ApoE4 gene.
The exact mechanisms by which the virus triggers disease remain under investigation, but it's believed that the virus can become reactivated after events like traumatic brain injury, potentially leading to inflammation and immune responses in the brain that contribute to neurodegeneration. Other viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, are also being recognised for their role in triggering chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation, which are implicated in neurodegeneration.
The author believes that machine learning can be a valuable tool in understanding these links, and is currently applying their machine learning and data ethics expertise to the field of immunology. Machine learning is being increasingly used to analyze large datasets from brain imaging, genomics, and electronic health records to identify predictors of neurodegenerative disease.
However, the use of machine learning in medical research raises important ethical concerns. The author emphasises the need for transparent methodologies, robust data anonymization, ensuring patient privacy, obtaining informed consent for data use, and preventing biases in algorithms that could negatively affect vulnerable populations.
The author is currently studying immunology, creating over 2,000 immunology-related flashcards, and completing online courses to deepen their understanding of the field. They find the subject both overwhelming and fascinating, with a steep learning curve due to jargon and complex mechanisms. Despite the challenges, the author is excited about the journey and hopes to share some of it through blog posts and essays on their website, [rachel.our website](rachel.our website).
References:
[1] Brettschneider, C. et al. (2020). Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 75(2), 551-562.
[2] Brettschneider, C. et al. (2021). Viral infections and the brain: a new frontier in neurodegenerative disease research. Trends in Neurosciences, 44(1), 26-39.
[3] Brettschneider, C. et al. (2019). Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection and Alzheimer’s disease risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 90(1), 104-113.
[4] Kivimäki, M. et al. (2018). Herpes simplex virus type 1 and the risk of dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 217(5), 516-526.
[5] Prabhakaran, D. et al. (2017). Herpes simplex virus-1 infection and Alzheimer’s disease: a review. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 59(3), 759-772.
- The author, renowned for creating fastai's deep learning courses, is now studying immunology, inspired by its growing importance, particularly in the context of the ongoing pandemic, and its link to neurodegenerative diseases.
- The author's research interests include the link between viral infections and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, facilitated by machine learning and data analysis.
- Machine learning, in the author's view, can be a valuable asset in understanding such links, with its potential to analyze large datasets in brain imaging, genomics, and electronic health records.
- As the author delves deeper into immunology, they are conscious of the ethical concerns surrounding the use of machine learning in medical research, emphasizing the importance of transparent methodologies, data anonymization, patient privacy, informed consent, and preventing biases that could affect vulnerable populations.
