Computer Vision News - October 2022

29 Esther Puyol Esther, what path brought you to HeartFlow? I just started threemonths ago. Before that, I did my PhD and postdoc at King’s College London, where I was developing new AI techniques for analysis of cardiac imaging – both ultrasound as well as MRI data. How did you get into this field? This was during my undergraduate in France, where I was learning about deep learning and AI – well, at that time, it was machine learning. Then I did an internship at Philips in France, and we started with some machine learning. I really liked it, it was in the area of cardiac, and then during my PhD, that was the main focus, developing new techniques for combining MRI and ultrasound for quantification of cardiac motion. Did you want to be a doctor when you were a kid? A little bit, yeah! [she laughs] I liked it, but then I also knew itwas quite challenging and demanding, and I also liked the engineering side, so I think biomedical engineering is a good mix. It’s a good mix, and you’re working to save people’s lives. [Esther smiles] Yeah, let’s say it this way! What attracts you to this field? I was very lucky duringmy postdoc and PhD because I worked directly with doctors. We were trying to make something that would work in clinic, that people could use, and that may in the future help patients. That’s what attracts me, especially thinking maybe one day I can make a contribution to clinics. You’re just starting out, but do you think that during your career, you’ll be able to help people in clinical settings or create technology that will help people feel better? I guess it’s difficult to say, but I hope that one day I will develop some technology that could help – maybe not directly to save someone, but help the doctors make better predictions or better decisions that will benefit patients in the future. Let’s dream: What would 100% success be for you in your career? [Esther thinks] Nobel Prize in Medicine? [she laughs] Exactly, that would be a really good dream! I think I’m a little bit less ambitious. I would be very happy to see a tool used in hospitals in different countries – not only in the UK where I’m based but also internationally. You’re not really English, are you? No.