What keeps University of Michigan School of Information associate professor Jiayu Zhou motivated? Opening the ‘black box’ of data, uncovering patterns and solving challenging problems. 

“You don’t always know what kind of information is hidden in a data set and what you would expect when connecting different data sets, and that’s where the fun begins,” he says. “It’s a journey and each project offers unique experiences and challenges, which is what keeps me attracted to this field. I’m constantly surprised by what I discover, and that sense of discovery is what keeps me moving forward with my work.”

Zhou’s research centers on developing novel artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning methodologies to tackle real-world challenges in healthcare. A major emphasis is on creating interpretable, predictive models from multiple data modalities for disease progression and early detection.

“One specific area I focus on is multimodal data analysis for Alzheimer's disease,” Zhou says. “My approach involves examining multiple types of information, such as brain structures using T1 MRI scans and behavior data such as speech and conversation, and looking for correlations between these data modalities and the disease to understand how the disease progresses. By fusing information from a person's brain imaging data, behavior data and other risk factors, the model predicts how the person's cognitive status will evolve over the next few years.” 

These disease progression models, Zhou says, can help identify important biomarkers that are involved in disease progression, such as regions of the brain, which can be crucial for drug development. Zhou’s research also develops tools and methods to analyze sparse data. 

“With the increasing deployment of electronic health records (EHR) systems in the U.S., there is a tremendous opportunity to apply AI and data-driven techniques in medical informatics,” Zhou says. “In my work, we look at medical records and physician notes to identify computational phenotypes and conduct predictive modeling on identified subtypes. Ultimately, the goal is to build better models for analyzing multimodal medical data, identify biomarkers and drug targets, screen potential patients for cohort studies, and ultimately seek a cure to Alzheimer’s.”

Zhou began his journey at UMSI in September 2024. Before joining UMSI, he spent nine years as a professor of computer science at Michigan State University. At UMSI, Zhou is excited to conduct cross disciplinary collaboration with other faculty. 

“There are so many different opportunities on campus where I can engage with people from various backgrounds,” he says. “AI and machine learning have relevance to virtually every field, so I’m excited to see what we can discover together in Michigan.” 

Zhou is currently teaching two courses in the winter semester: One on natural language processing and one on using AI tools for problem solving. He is especially excited to work with UMSI students. 

“I’ve found that students at the University of Michigan are incredibly motivated and filled with curiosity,” Zhou says. “There’s a genuine curiosity, and it’s been wonderful to have these conversations with students about research and potential opportunities.” 

In his most successful students, Zhou sees a dedication to research and a passion for solving complex problems. 

“I think passion is key,” he says. “It’s what carries you through the long process of doctoral work or any deep research endeavor. You have to identify a question that truly excites you and then devote yourself to it.” 

In his free time, Zhou enjoys playing the piano and the guitar and traveling around the world. He’s also been exploring Ann Arbor through long walks. 

“Living in a vibrant town has been a new experience for me,” he says. “I love walking or biking to work, and feeling that constant buzz of activity around campus. It’s really energizing.” 

Through his research, teaching and collaborative spirit, Professor Jiayu Zhou is helping shape the future of AI-driven healthcare—and finding joy in every new discovery along the way.

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Learn more about UMSI associate professor Jiayu Zhou by visiting his UMSI faculty profile and his Intelligent Data Analytics (ILLIDAN) Lab website. 

Check out more profiles and interviews with UMSI faculty.