Harikrishnan Changarnkothapeecherikkal, PhD in Computational Science & Engineering, 2026
I am deeply honored and grateful to receive a Doctoral Finishing Fellowship from the Graduate School. This support is a meaningful milestone in my journey at Michigan Tech, which began with my MS in Data Science and has grown into a PhD in Computational Science and Engineering focused on healthcare AI.
My dissertation research uses artificial intelligence to make osteoporosis screening more proactive, accessible, and precise. Working closely with my advisor, Dr. Guy Hembroff, and collaborators at Henry Ford Health, I helped develop OsteoFusionNet: a multimodal deep learning framework that assesses osteoporosis risk from routine knee X-rays and basic electronic health record data. The goal is to turn images patients are already getting for other reasons into an early-warning system, flagging at-risk individuals for confirmatory testing and follow-up before fractures occur.
This work goes beyond initial screening to include longitudinal bone health trend analysis and fairness evaluation across patient groups. What excites me most is creating AI that fits seamlessly into clinical workflows, practical tools that alert clinicians to hidden risks without disrupting care or replacing established diagnostics.
This project sits at the perfect intersection of technical innovation and real clinical need. I’ve loved the challenge of building mathematically rigorous systems that are also practical and grounded in healthcare realities. That balance has shaped my approach to research and deepened my commitment to this field.
I am also grateful for the opportunities Michigan Tech has given me to grow as a teacher and mentor. Serving as a lead instructor for graduate courses in clinical decision support & AI modelling and population health informatics has been one of the most rewarding parts of my graduate experience, and receiving the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award in 2024 was a great encouragement.
I am sincerely thankful to my advisor, committee, collaborators, department, and the Graduate School for their support. This fellowship will help me focus fully on completing my dissertation and preparing for the next stage of my career in healthcare AI research and education.
