Hossein Mirinejad, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Aeronautics and Engineering at was recently awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER award for his innovative research, “CAREER: Towards Safe and Interpretable Autonomy in Healthcare.” The CAREER award is the most prestigious award given by the foundation for early-career faculty who show promise as academic leaders in both research and education. This investment in exemplary faculty early in their careers is key to enhancing the country’s science and engineering ecosystem. , Mirinejad’s research will focus on transformative autonomous systems to enhance healthcare with unparalleled precision to enable safer, more interpretable patient care.
Mirinejad’s achievement marks him as the first in the College of Aeronautics and Engineering and the 17th faculty member in the history of to receive the NSF CAREER Award, reflecting the University's commitment to innovative research and educational leadership. “Our college is incredibly proud of Professor Mirinejad as the first CAE recipient of this esteemed award. It reflects the high caliber of research in the College, we look forward to receiving more such awards in the future,” expressed Dr. Joycelyn Harrison, CAE’s Associate Dean for Research.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition, which underscores Kent State’s commitment to pioneering research and academic excellence,” said Mirinejad. “I am grateful for the unwavering support and encouragement from the University administration, faculty colleagues, and staff members through this journey.”
Mirinejad, who established the within the College, focuses his research on the integration of autonomous systems in healthcare, addressing significant challenges in modeling, control, and testing that currently limit the practical application of these systems. “Autonomous medical systems represent a transformative leap in healthcare, offering unprecedented precision and efficiency in patient care,” Mirinejad states.
The project aims to develop foundational capabilities to overcome barriers in medication dosing autonomy by leveraging machine learning, control systems, probability modeling, and causal inference. “Focusing on safe and interpretable autonomy, we strive to lay the groundwork for the next generation of medical technology that incorporates smart and robust autonomous systems into clinical settings.” explains Mirinejad.
In addition to the research objectives, Mirinejad's project has a strong commitment to educational excellence and outreach. It focuses on engaging underrepresented minorities and enhancing educational opportunities comprehensively. Mirinejad emphasizes the project’s broader impact on STEM interest and inclusivity: “We are equally dedicated to enriching the existing engineering curriculum, developing educational modules for high school students, mentoring capstone projects, providing college coaching, and organizing regular lab tours.”
Mirinejad and graduate students will be collaborating with mechatronics educators to develop educational modules and hands-on activities that teach high school students about automated medical devices, highlighting the importance of safe and interpretable autonomy.
Kent State is committed to supporting Mirinejad’s endeavors, contributing to the University’s reputation as a hub for research and scholarship, and fostering innovations that will shape the future of healthcare technology.