The Grainger College of Engineering
Health Care Engineering Systems Center

Zhi-Pei Liang, Ph.D.

Zhi-Pei Liang, Ph.D.
Zhi-Pei Liang, Ph.D.
Franklin W. Woeltge Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Title: AI Meets Quantum Mechanics to Unravel the Molecular Fingerprints of Brain Function and Diseases

Abstract: Scientific research requires powerful tools for elucidating the secrets of nature. Today, understanding the brain — how it works and what goes wrong when it is injured or diseased, is considered one of the last frontiers in science, and it has posed significant challenges for scientists and engineers to develop effective tools to meet this objective. This talk will discuss a new AI-powered magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic imaging technology, known as SPICE, for ultrafast, high-resolution, tracer-free molecular imaging of the brain. SPICE uses a machine learning framework to effectively integrate quantum simulation, rapid scanning, sparse sampling, and constrained image processing to provide an unprecedented capability for simultaneous mapping of brain structures, function and metabolism using tissue intrinsic MR spectroscopic signals from multiple molecules. In this talk, I’ll will give an overview of SPICE, show some “SPICY” experimental results, and discuss future opportunities of AI-enabled brain mapping.

Bio: Zhi-Pei Liang is the Franklin W. Woeltge Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research is in the general area of magnetic resonance imaging, signal processing and machine learning. His work has been recognized by a number of prestigious awards, including the Sylvia Sorkin Greenfield Award (Medical Physics), Otto Schmitt Award (IFMBE), Technical Achievement Award (IEEE-EMBS) and Gold Medal of ISMRM.

Dr. Liang is a Fellow of IEEE, ISMRM and AIMBE. He was elected to the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering in 2012 and to the US National Academy of Inventors in 2021. Dr. Liang served as President of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society from 2011-2012 and received its Distinguished Service Award in 2015 and the Exceptional Service Award from IEEE-ISBI in 2023.  He has been serving as Chair-elect of the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering since 2022.