Better Patient Care With AI

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Sacred Heart Preparatory (SHP) senior Arhaan Gupta-Rastogi and Harvard professor Dr. Susie Huang of the Martinos Center are helping pioneer a research project that could transform the way we use MRI data for patient care.

 

The pair aim to determine key factors in brain and knee MRI accuracy, and early results appear promising. They analyzed more than 100,000 data points using MATLAB’s predictive analytics, in collaboration with Siemens Healthineers. This has led to MRI scans with faster transition times, reduced patient fatigue and movement, and clearer images. This could mean a more accurate and speedy diagnosis for patients.

 

Gupta-Rastogi's journey into computer science began at an incredibly young age—he was only in the third grade when he began learning programming languages like Scratch, Python, and Java. Since then, he’s also taught himself additional higher-level languages like MATLAB and R. Throughout high school, his interest in the field only deepened, thanks to mentorship from teachers at SHP, whose guidance and encouragement played a pivotal role in nurturing his ambitions.

 

“I’ve always been a STEM kid,” he reflects. “I really latched onto computer science in my freshman year, having attended coding camps since elementary school. AP Computer Science with SHP Computer Science teacher Kevin Morris laid a strong foundation for me—I love the problem-solving aspect of it. There’s a unique satisfaction when a coding solution finally ‘clicks.’”

 

He’s also taken AP Computer Science Principles with SHP Computer Science/Math teacher Thomas Donahoe. Both courses helped him immensely when it came to spending time in the lab with his Martinos Center mentor, Huang.

 

"I learned a ton of foundational and advanced tools—Mr. Donohoe helped me reach out to [labs with] research areas of interest to me, and Mr. Morris helped me with data analysis models for my work with the Martinos Center. They helped me every step of the way," says Gupta-Rastogi.

 

“The heart of our project is how using AI and machine learning, and programs like MATLAB, can scale groundbreaking scientific research and make it more impactful for solving real-world problems for real people,” says Gupta-Rastogi. “That is the most rewarding aspect to me—seeing how technology has the power to improve patient care. We’re isolating the factors that most contribute to accurate and quick diagnoses, which has significant effects on treatment speed, patient comfort, and overall healthcare costs.”

 

Huang is equally enthusiastic about the project's potential as a new applied research tool, which will help scientists better understand the brain. “We need aspiring computer scientists and biologists like Arhaan to continue to apply these learnings to next-generation findings. I am grateful that we have schools that also support students in pursuing such research initiatives,” says Huang.

 

Another key mentor, SHP Biology teacher Chris LaBonte, helped ignite Gupta-Rastogi’s interest in the intersection of biology and computer science. LaBonte introduced him to the practical applications of biology, which was furthered through the Design the Future program, a collaboration between DC Design and Stanford University that Gupta-Rastogi took part in during the summer of 2022. “I was able to work directly with patients, developing an app to track health metrics for a woman with cerebral palsy and diabetes,” says Gupta-Rastogi. “This experience really highlighted the tangible impact technology can have, and I’m grateful for the mentorship I received from Mr. LaBonte along the way.”

 

He also credits SHP English and Creative Inquiry teacher Jake Moffat with sharpening his logical writing skills. “He helped me understand how to break down complex information, which is crucial for both conducting research and publishing findings,” says Gupta-Rastogi. “It’s one of those activities where I lose track of time because I’m so immersed in it.”

 

Looking ahead, Gupta-Rastogi and Huang plan to continue their research, and will jointly publish findings. As he begins his final year at SHP, he’s excited to continue his study of biomedical engineering and computer science in college, all the while leveraging the power of technology for the greater good. His journey is truly a reflection of the Sacred Heart Goals, particularly Goal III: “A social awareness which impels to action.” Driven by a passion for helping others, Gupta-Rastogi is forging a path that will help transform lives.