Oct 7, 2021

Member Spotlight: Dr. Devin Singh

Dr. Devin Singh, MBBS, MSc (Computer Science)
Dr. Devin Singh, MBBS, MSc (Computer Science)

Dr. Devin Singh is a staff physician and the lead for clinical AI and machine learning in paediatric emergency medicine at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. He's also the co-founder and CEO of Hero AI. Dr. Singh's research focuses on the use of applied machine-learning techniques to solve some of healthcare’s greatest challenges. His research was recently awarded a T-CAIREM Temerty Innovation Grant for AI in Medicine. We caught up with him via email to learn more.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in medicine?
When I was a kid prior to my grandfather passing away in the hospital he said something to me that really stuck — “you should care for people throughout life in the same way you would want others to care for me." This guiding principle combined with a love for biology and working with children led me towards a career as a paediatric emergency medicine physician. 

What inspired your interest in AI?
As a junior medical trainee I saw firsthand how patient outcomes can be adversely impacted by health system-related complexities and it infuriated me! I discovered that AI can break down silos among specialties and overcome these challenges by creating powerful new care pathways at scale. 

You recently won a T-CAIREM Innovation Grant for AI in Medicine. How will you put the $200,000 grant to use?
My team is honoured to have won this year’s T-CAIREM Innovation Grant! When children have headaches clinicians look for signs of swelling behind the eyes (papilledema) to determine if they may need urgent head-imaging tests to rule out brain tumours. The problem is that it’s nearly impossible to perform these eye exams accurately in the primary care/emergency department setting. Our technology combines AI with point-of-care ultrasound to automate the detection of papilledema so that clinicians can get kids the care they need as fast as possible when it matters most.

What advice would you give to students considering an AI in medicine career?
I'd tell them to always keep the human element at the core of everything they do. AI in medicine is about empowering patients and clinicians. Keep this as a guiding light. No matter how hard the technical challenges seem, you’ll have the drive to overcome any difficulties with high-impact innovations.  

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your work?
When a child comes into the Emergency Department unwell and scared, it’s incredibly rewarding to provide the care they need and to see their fear disappear as they return to their typical playful selves. Knowing that I can use AI to expand the way we deliver care to kids across Canada and beyond is an added bonus to an already rewarding job at SickKids!

What do you like to do when you’re not working?
When I was a child, my parents would take our family to Sandbanks regularly. To this day I love to climb the sand dunes and simply relax in the sun when I’m not at work. My wife and I are also huge Toronto sports fans and love watching games with friends and family.