As a clinical pharmacist, Don Roosan saw firsthand the challenges and errors that occur in healthcare because of poor information sharing or miscommunication.
“While I could have stayed there and worked to help one patient at a time, I decided to pursue a mission that would save millions of people,” explained Roosan, who joined the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences this fall as an associate professor.
His pivot brought him to the field of quantum AI, and for more than a decade he has conducted groundbreaking research that utilizes advanced technology and data collection to improve everything from physician care to drug discovery to patient outcomes.
Roosan’s work in AI has led to the development of several patient-focused technologies including a dementia detection app and a gaming app that offers medication information and education in an engaging way. Among his current projects is the development of an app for Vision Pro, Apple’s mixed reality headset, that would allow physicians to examine 3D images of patients’ wounds remotely so patients would not be required to go to the doctor’s office.
“The main innovation in health care is going to be quantum AI,” said Roosan. “It is just exciting where your resources can go with quantum computing.”
Previously on the faculty at Western University of Health Sciences in Los Angeles, CA., Roosan said what excites him about Merrimack College is the opportunity for the institution to be at the forefront in the AI space as it continues its pursuit of R2 classification.
“This is a great opportunity for the Merrimack to be a leader,” he said. “We need more exposure and more funding to provide this type of innovative work. And this is research everyone, from students to alumni, can get excited for.”
Roosan received his doctorate in biomedical informatics from the University of Utah and his doctorate in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences from Purdue University.
