Illinois State University has launched a Partnership for AI Research (PAIR) Project, an initiative made possible through funding from the National Institutes of Health’s AIM-AHEAD PAIR seed program. Spearheaded by an interdisciplinary collaboration between Illinois State’s School of Information Technology Assistant Professor Dr. Nariman Ammar, and Mennonite College of Nursing Carle BroMenn Medical Center Endowed Professor Dr. Marilyn Prasun, the project aims to use machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for early detection of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and enhance health outcomes across central Illinois.

AF is a serious heart arrhythmia that increases the risk of stroke by five times and can lead to significant health deterioration and death. By combining advanced machine learning techniques with clinical expertise, the PAIR Project plans to develop a data-driven framework using electrocardiogram (ECG) and electronic medical records (EMR) to detect AF in high-risk patients earlier and more accurately.

“This initiative is not just about technology – it’s about impact,” said Dr. Prasun. “Our goal is to create opportunities that lead to better health outcomes and help close the gap in care for individuals in underserved and rural communities across central Illinois.”

The AI for Health Research (AIHR) Lab at Illinois State will serve as the foundation for this initiative, enabling interdisciplinary research that addresses critical social and clinical health determinants. The project aligns several core priorities of the AIM-AHEAD initiative. In addition to Drs. Prasun and Ammar, two Illinois State University students – one undergraduate and one graduate – will assist with the research.

“The School of Information Technology has explored a range of research projects using data and technology, but we’re especially excited about this collaboration with the Mennonite College of Nursing,” said Nariman Ammar. “This will enhance public health through interdisciplinary, community-focused initiatives.”

AIM-AHEAD initiative Project Objectives:

1. Establish a Dedicated Research Lab – Train an interdisciplinary team in fair, explainable, and multi-modal AI applications in health research.
2. Advance AI-Powered Detection of AF – Develop and validate machine learning models to improve early diagnosis and healthcare outcomes.

The AIM-AHEAD initiative Project will lay the groundwork for future endeavors that address pressing health challenges not only in Illinois but beyond. This research underscores the University’s commitment to advancing research across its seven colleges.

This research was, in part, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Agreement No. 1OT2OD032581. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the NIH.