Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University
Northeastern University’s National Academy of Inventors (NAI) chapter convened its annual Spring Meeting on March 19, 2025, in East Village to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Hosted by the Center for Research Innovation (CRI), the event brought together researchers, entrepreneurs, and students for an evening of insight and inspiration, featuring expert remarks, recognition of outstanding inventors, and reflections on the future of innovation at the intersection of AI and healthcare.
Distinguished Professor Srinivas Sridhar on AI’s Transformative Role in Healthcare
The evening opened with remarks from Distinguished Professor Srinivas Sridhar, Director of Northeastern’s Electronic Materials Research Institute (EMRI), who reflected on the rapid transformation driven by generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT. He noted how artificial intelligence—once rooted primarily in machine learning and deep learning—has advanced dramatically in recent years and is now embedded in the tools many of us use daily.
Professor Sridhar emphasized that Northeastern has long been at the forefront of AI research, with faculty across disciplines developing novel applications in fields as varied as computer science, business, and healthcare. In healthcare in particular, AI is helping to analyze complex data—from medical records to imaging and speech—to support clinical decision-making, diagnostics, and personalized treatments.
He highlighted the university’s leadership in AI-driven healthcare innovation, noting numerous Northeastern researchers have filed numerous patents and launched spinout ventures applying AI to areas such as drug delivery, diagnostics, and personalized medicine. This growing ecosystem reflects the university’s commitment to developing real-world solutions through research, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Gaye Bok on the Future of AI in Healthcare Innovation
Gaye Bok, an experienced venture investor and former managing director of the $30M AI and Digital Innovation Venture Fund (AIDIF) at Mass General Brigham, delivered the next remarks. Drawing on her career spanning digital health, commercial strategy, and venture investing, Bok shared insights on the evolving landscape of AI in healthcare and what it takes to successfully bring innovations to market.
Bok emphasized that successful adoption of AI in healthcare depends not only on solving meaningful problems but also on fitting seamlessly into clinical workflows. She shared an example from her time at Mass General Brigham, where an early-stage tech-enabled triage service initially struggled to gain support from clinicians who didn’t see a clear need. But as demand for care surged, that same service became more appealing to overwhelmed providers—illustrating how timing, integration, and usability are critical to adoption. To gain traction, new technologies must create significant value, reduce complexity, and align with existing systems and incentives.
This insight is especially important in the context of today’s healthcare environment, where trust in AI systems, data quality and access, regulatory hurdles, and strained budgets remain major barriers to implementation. “Many health systems are trying to reduce the number of applications in their tech stack,” Bok noted. “If you’re adding something new, it can’t just be a slight improvement—it has to deliver real impact.”
Venture capital continues to play a key role in signaling trends and opportunities in the field. While digital health investment surged in 2020 and 2021, it has since returned to pre-pandemic levels—yet overall momentum remains strong. In 2023, the global market for AI in healthcare reached $18 billion, with $7 billion focused on diagnostics and imaging. The field is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 37%, driven by rising demand for healthcare and a limited supply of clinical staff. These dynamics represent a significant tailwind for scalable, well-integrated AI solutions.
Bok also outlined the top factors venture investors look for when evaluating opportunities for AI in healthcare:
- Solutions to significant, well-defined problems
- Experienced management teams
- Large Total Addressable Markets (TAM)
- Strong differentiation aligned with top customer priorities
- Data demonstrating clinical and financial ROI
- Valuable intellectual property and brand assets
- Clear evidence of customer enthusiasm
- A capital-efficient plan for achieving revenue growth
- Visibility to a sustainable business model
- A focus on proving unit economics
Despite any potential challenges in the field, Bok closed with a message of optimism: “AI use in healthcare is just getting started,” she said. “I am excited about where we’re going, and everyone should all be incredibly excited to be here at Northeastern, which I liken to being a rocket ship for invention.”
Celebrating Visionaries with the 2025 Innovation Impact Awards
Each year, Northeastern’s NAI Chapter honors outstanding members of the university community through the Innovation Impact Awards, which recognize exceptional inventiveness and real-world impact. Awardees are selected for their ability to address meaningful challenges through translational research, commercialization, and industry collaboration.
This year’s Awards included the Innovation Impact Award awarded to faculty, the Student Innovation Impact Award, and the newly introduced Emerging Visionary Award — AI in Healthcare. These awards were presented to faculty and student members whose work demonstrates extraordinary leadership and real-world potential.
Innovation Impact Award 2024: Professor Vincent Harris
Vincent Harris, University Distinguished and William Lincoln Smith Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was honored for his decades-long contributions to radio frequency (RF) materials and devices, including advanced technologies for next-generation communications. His research laid the foundation for Metamagnetics, a Northeastern spinout company that was named High-Tech Manufacturer of the Year by the Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus in 2018.
Harris used the moment to acknowledge the broader community that enables innovation. “Whenever you see someone get accolades like this, I want you to think about how many hundreds of people likely contributed to and enabled their success,” he said. “Too often, people forget to recognize that.”
Student Innovation Impact Award 2024: Justin Hayes
Justin Hayes, CEO and co-founder of Concordance Therapeutics, Inc. and PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering, received the 2024 Student Innovation Impact Award. Since joining Northeastern, Hayes has focused on developing health technologies aimed at improving patient outcomes. In 2023, he secured a provisional patent for engineered probiotic technologies designed to control metabolite levels, with applications in gut and skin diseases. Later that year, he co-founded Concordance Therapeutics and filed an international PCT patent, playing an active role in drafting claims and collaborating with IP counsel.
Under Hayes’ leadership, the company has made significant early progress, including active fundraising and product development. Although Hayes was unable to attend the event due to a business development trip in Europe, his work reflects a clear commitment to translating research into scalable, life-saving solutions.
Emerging Visionary Award – AI in Healthcare 2024: Dr. Saeed Amal
Dr. Saeed Amal, Assistant Research Professor in Bioengineering, received the Emerging Visionary Award for his groundbreaking work at the intersection of AI and precision medicine. His research applies deep learning, natural language processing, and image analysis to improve healthcare outcomes, with a particular focus on cancer and cardiovascular disease. His recent software IP has been successfully licensed, and deployment of his AI-driven tools for solid tumor treatment is expected within the year.
Honoring Innovation: NAI Fellows and New Members Recognized
The event also celebrated members of the Northeastern NAI Chapter community whose outstanding achievements in invention and research earned national distinction over the past year.
Professors Tommaso Melodia and Nian Sun were honored as members of the 2024 Class of Fellows by the NAI. The NAI Fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded to academic inventors, recognizing individuals whose innovations have made a tangible impact on society and the economy. Both Melodia and Sun are internationally recognized for their contributions to wireless systems, materials science, and sensing technologies—work that exemplifies Northeastern’s commitment to translational research and real-world impact. You can read more about their Fellowships here.
Additionally, Professor Steve Lustig was recognized as an NAI Senior Member for his leadership in molecular and materials chemistry, as well as his collaborative research approach that bridges theory, computation, and experimentation.
The chapter also welcomed new NAI faculty and honorary members during the ceremony.
Get Involved With Northeastern’s NAI Chapter
The Spring 2025 NAI event highlighted the exciting intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare—showcasing how cutting-edge technologies, translational research, and entrepreneurial thinking are reshaping the future of medicine.
For those curious about the role of AI in advancing health technologies, Northeastern’s NAI chapter provides a dynamic platform to learn, connect, and lead. From faculty innovators to student entrepreneurs, the chapter brings together a community committed to transforming research into real-world breakthroughs.
“This chapter will be what we make it, so let’s make it something great,” concluded Randall Erb, Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Northeastern and an award presenter for the evening.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to amplify your impact, there’s a place for you in this growing network. Learn more about the chapter and join us as we explore what’s next in innovation.
Written by Elizabeth Creason