Professor Mingguang He and Dr Stuart Keel. Credit: CERA

Professor Mingguang He and Dr Stuart Keel have been awarded National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Grants to further their work improving eye health services, focusing on the use of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Professor Keith Martin, CERA managing director, said the five-year grants will enable research in this important area to continue to advance. “Stuart and Ming are undertaking research at the leading edge of artificial intelligence and its real-world application to improve eye health care delivery.”  

Professor He leads a team of researchers currently trialling an automated AI screening tool, designed to give GPs and endocrinologists a quick and simple way to detect signs of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. 

The tool is currently being tested in real-world settings, including endocrinology and primary care clinics in metropolitan, regional and Aboriginal health services in Australia. 

Dr Keel is the proud recipient of an Emerging Leader Fellowship from the NHMRC. The award follows his success in co-leading the National Eye Health Survey and his achievements in studying the application of artificial intelligence in clinical settings. 

With the support of this NHMRC Fellowship, Dr Keel will continue his focus on diabetic eye disease, with the goal of improving the uptake of regular eye screening by Australians with diabetes.