Heath Pardoe1, Anton de Weger1, Simon Elisha2
1Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 2AWS
Biography:
Anton de Weger – AEP Digital and Technology Lead: Anton is an experienced leader, founder and technical director specialising in machine learning strategy and application within enterprise systems. He has established and sold a multinational enterprise systems consulting company, helped pivot a global enterprise software company to a “Machine Learning First” approach, architected and built a machine learning multimedia transcription application and established high performance technical teams across multiple countries. Anton is excited by machine learning product design and methodology, AI ethics, the combination of machine learning with human decision making and the application of technology using high performance teams. This perfectly combines with the opportunities the AEP provides around the encoding and distribution of world leading brain analysis expertise and data collection practices for epilepsy.
Heath Pardoe – Science Operations Lead: Heath is a physicist and Associate Professor at the Florey. He uses MRI-based computational techniques, including artificial intelligence methods, to identify anatomical changes in the human brain. These techniques are used to assist in treatment planning for patients with severe epilepsy by using MRI to identify regions in the brain that cause epileptic seizures. He develops and applies statistical approaches to leverage the benefits of large multi-site neuroimaging studies for identifying brain changes in disease and healthy aging.
Simon Elisha – Chief Technologist, AWS: Simon is the Chief Technologist, ANZ Public Sector. Simon Elisha is a visionary technologist at AWS driving transformation, innovation, and customer business growth. An exceptional communicator, thought leader, and pioneer in cloud technology -Simon holds 9 technology patents and is the founder and host of the Official AWS Podcast.
Abstract:
The Australian Epilepsy Project is pioneering a transformative platform on AWS that integrates multimodal patient data, including MRI scans, genetics, and medical records. By harnessing AWS technologies, the AEP is driving a data-driven revolution in neurological care, improving the outcomes of the 2.5 million Australians who will experience epilepsy at some point in their lives.
In this keynote, we’ll hear from Dr Heath Pardoe and Anton de Weger on the role of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in detecting brain abnormalities and how the AEP leveraged advanced analytics and AI/ML to unlock insights for image analysis, seizure risk prediction, and treatment optimisation.
We will also hear from the AWS Chief Technologist Simon Elisha on how research organisations are harnessing the power of cloud to collaborate and accelerate scientific discoveries.