Asif Salekin

Asif Salekin’s interest in engineering was ignited by the potential to make a tangible difference in people’s lives through technology. Drawn to the intersection of computing, health and artificial intelligence, or AI, he pursued biomedical engineering to directly impact patient care and health outcomes.

The ability to see his research translate into real-world benefits for patients keeps him deeply passionate about and committed to his field.

“I find great inspiration in my research’s practical applications and real-world impact,” Salekin says. “Conducting fundamental research in a field where the outcomes are so visibly impactful is incredibly fulfilling.”

While pursuing his doctorate in computer science, Salekin received the University of Virginia’s Graduate Student Award for Outstanding Research in 2018. Additionally, his research paper on preclinical Alzheimer’s disease detection using magnetic resonance imaging won the IAAI Deployed Application Award at the Thirty-Third Annual AAAI Conference on Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence in 2021.

Salekin has been awarded two National Science Foundation grants. The first project focused on psychophysiological sensing to enhance mindfulness-based interventions for self-regulation of opioid cravings, which developed innovative technologies to support recovery through personalized interventions. He also contributed to creating a cyber-physical system integrating biometric and social data to improve cattle health.

As a collaborative researcher at Syracuse University, Salekin contributed to research for a $2.5 million National Institutes of Health grant for developing AI-based speech sound therapy software. Through his work, he ensured fairness and inclusivity and improved treatment for speech sound disorders.

Salekin was attracted to the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University because of its distinguished faculty and robust culture of collaboration. The university’s emphasis on teamwork and interdisciplinary research aligns perfectly with his goal of driving forward innovative and impactful work.

“ASU’s charter, emphasizing inclusivity, access and the responsibility to serve the community, reflects a forward-thinking approach that I am proud to be a part of,” Salekin says.

He is also inspired by ASU’s diverse and talented student body, which he says enhances the learning environment and fosters a dynamic academic community.

Salekin plans to encourage his undergraduate students to be immersed in practical AI and health-sensing technology.

“In the future, I’m interested in teaching courses that explore the practical applications and challenges of AI in the biomedical and health engineering domains,” Salekin says.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Salekin finds joy in discovering new places and preserving those experiences through his love of photography.

Meet the newest faculty members of the Fulton Schools of Engineering here.

Written by Allison Lyne