In a world where technology and healthcare intersect in ever more innovative ways, Fatou Lô stands out as a shining light. This young Senegalese doctoral student in artificial intelligence (IA) applied to medicine, born in Thiaroye Gare on the outskirts of Dakar, has made its mark in a field where passion and technology combine to shape the future of medicine in Africa. Senegal.
An Unexpected Path to Excellence
Fatou Lô's academic odyssey, however, did not follow the path she had initially envisaged. After obtaining her baccalaureate in 2014, she was referred by the ministry of higher education to theBambey Universityabout 130 kilometers from Dakar. There, she undertook studies in teleinformatics networks and maintenance, followed by a master's degree in computer systems, a far cry from her first choices - medicine and biology.
However, she was not discouraged by this unexpected turn of events. On the contrary, Fatou used her computer science training as a springboard to return to her first passions. In 2021, she chose a dissertation topic that marked the beginning of her journey into the world of medical AI. She focused on the development of a cardiology patient management application at theSaint-Louis regional hospital. This initiative illustrated the potential of AI in predicting patient outcomes, enabling more efficient assessment of the need for costly tests such as CT scans.
Revolutionizing Cardiology with Artificial Intelligence
In her current work, Fatou Lô tackles a major health problem in Senegal: cardiovascular disease. In 2018, these pathologies accounted for 17% of all deaths in the country, according to the World Health Organization.World Health Organization. She set about the task with the help of theGaston-Berger University, Saint-Louis and digital and computer analysis laboratory.
Its goal is ambitious but clear: to use AI to improve the early management of cardiovascular disease. She is working on the deployment of an app where cardiologists could capture patient data to predict the risk of cardiovascular disease. This innovative approach could not only save lives but also radically transform the way these diseases are managed in Senegal.
Challenges and prospects
Despite the enormous potential of her work, Fatou Lô faces significant challenges. One of these is the lack of African-specific data, a gap she is striving to fill. In 2023, she received support from the L'Oréal FoundationThis will enable him to collect essential data on rheumatic heart disease in different regions of Senegal. This crucial fieldwork will not only enrich medical AI research, but also offer a unique perspective on the specificities of cardiovascular disease in the African context.
A Model of Inspiration and Perseverance
Fatou Lô is not only a talented scientist; she's also an inspirational role model. In a country where women are under-represented in higher education and research, especially at master's and doctorate levels, she is breaking barriers and paving the way for other Senegalese women. Her determination to overcome challenges and stay true to her goals is admired not only by her husband, Ismaila Diouf, but also by a whole generation of young scientists.
Fatou Lô Niang is an emerging figure in the world of artificial intelligence applied to medicine. Her passion for science, coupled with her desire to make a significant contribution to her country's public health, makes her a driving force in the field of medical AI. With researchers like her, the future of medicine in Senegal is in promising hands.
