Research Centre of Computational Health | ZHAW Institute of Computational Life Sciences ICLS

The devision of Computational Health is specialised in the confluence of data-driven and mechanistic modelling approaches in medicine and biology. The methods encompass machine learning for image and signal analysis, graphical networks, optimization of stochastic models and physiological simulations.

About us

The Research Centre Computational Health addresses problems in medicine and biology using data-driven and mechanistic modeling. Important tools are machine learning for image and signal analysis, graphical networks, parameter estimation for differential equation systems and physiological simulation.

Our Research Groups

Biomedical Simulation

The research group specializes in modeling biological and medical systems. New approaches are developed to simulate physiological processes and to predict pathological changes. In particular, in-depth knowledge of biological/physiological processes is incorporated into multi-physics simulations.
The group develops algorithms for parameter and uncertainty estimation of physically motivated stochastic models. In particular, machine learning methods are combined with Bayesian modeling for dimensionality reduction. These methods are widely used in medicine and life sciences.

Medical Image Analysis

The research group applies machine learning techniques to interpret medical image data. This way, features are extracted for the characterization of disease patterns and for use as diagnostic markers. Of particular interest are the radiomic and morphological analysis of diagnostic medical imaging data. The group pursues the goal of establishing reproducible, image-based biomarkers by means of explainable artificial intelligence and ensuring their clinical utility.

Medical Data Modelling

The research group uses statistical and machine learning methods to model and uncover causal relations in medical data, especially to study pathophysiological processes. Categorial patient data and imaging date, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging, are processed to extract clinical knowledge.

Biosensor Analysis & Digital Health

The research group studies data from wearables and biosensors using time series analysis and combines them with biological-physical models to robustly characterize physiological systems. These data sources are used for Patient Reported Outcomes in clinical practice and for the further development of patient-centered medicine.

Further information on the research groups Biosensor Analysis & Digital Health

Teaching Activities

The courses offered by the centre of Computational Health cover topics in mathematical and physical modeling. At Bachelor level it is responsible for the specialization Digital Health. The specialization teaches physics and mathematics for other BSc programs at the department. In the MSc Applied Computational Life Sciences and the PhD program Data Science advanced courses in modeling of complex systems are taught.