Student Nominated for Altice Innovation Award 2023
Francisco Maria Calisto has been shortlisted for the Academy Track
The Interactive Technologies Institute proudly announces that Francisco Maria Calisto, a PhD student at Instituto Superior Técnico under the supervision of Nuno Jardim Nunes (ITI) and Jacinto Nascimento (ISR), has been nominated for the Academy track of the prestigious Altice Innovation Award (AIIA) 2023. Francisco’s groundbreaking project, “Human-Centered Design of Personalized Intelligent Agents in Medical Imaging Diagnosis”, is among the shortlisted projects competing for the coveted award, with a prize money of €25,000.
The Altice Innovation Award aims to recognise and support technological talent while establishing Altice as an innovative leader. The initiative focuses on projects from PhD finalist students and startups, emphasising technological areas relevant to Altice International’s core business, including AI/ML, Extended Reality, 5G, IoT, Smart Cities, Smart Living, Big Data, eHealth, Digital Content, Future Networks, Over the Top services, Security, Blockchain, Quantum Technologies, and more.
Francisco’s PhD project is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into healthcare, specifically in radiology. His innovative framework proposes AI agents that assist clinicians in providing second-reader diagnostic support tailored to each clinician’s workflow and expertise level. “The societal impact of this research is profound. Improving diagnostic accuracy, particularly in critical areas like breast cancer detection, can lead to earlier disease detection and better patient outcomes”, says the researcher. Additionally, Francisco’s work focuses on user-friendly AI integration that can democratize access to advanced diagnostic tools, making high-quality healthcare more accessible across different regions.
Francisco Maria Calisto expressed his gratitude for being shortlisted: “Being shortlisted for the Altice Innovation Award 2023 in the ‘Academy’ track is a significant milestone. It validates the importance and potential of my research in medical technology. This recognition not only honours the hard work and dedication that went into the thesis but also highlights the relevance of AI in enhancing healthcare services.”
The Award Ceremony is scheduled for November 21, 2023, at Convento do Beato in Lisbon, where finalists will pitch to the Grand Jury, who will later announce the winners.
Looking ahead, Francisco envisions translating his research into a practical, scalable solution through the startup “BreastScreening-AI“. The goal is to develop and commercialise AI-powered diagnostic tools that can be integrated into clinical settings, ensuring accessibility and benefits for a broader range of healthcare providers and patients. The startup aims to continue innovating and adapting to the evolving needs of the medical community to enhance the quality and efficiency of patient care.
