Andrew Laine Profile

Andrew Laine

Percy K. and Vida L.W. Hudson Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Professor of Radiology (Physics)

As director of the Heffner Biomedical Imaging Lab at Columbia, Andrew Laine focuses on the mathematical analysis and quantification of medical images, signal and image processing, computer-aided diagnosis and biomedical/imaging informatics.

His work is based on imaging structures at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ levels of analysis. The goal is to develop biomedical technology for unmet clinical needs and to transition that technology into commercial products that will improve healthcare and save lives. 

Laine was the first to use multiscale “wavelet” representation to enhance subtle details in mammograms. Today, the algorithm he developed in 1992 is used in almost all commercial digital mammography systems. Currently, Laine is applying multiresolution wavelet techniques to classify pulmonary emphysema. He is also collaborating on a project in medical informatics to enable clinicians to better diagnose a patient using both text and annotated findings from medical images. Laine’s work draws on such techniques as time-frequency decompositions, speckle tracking, texture analysis, variational segmentation, parametric deformable models, and image reconstructions.

Laine received a BS in biological science from Cornell University in 1977, an MS in chemistry from the University of Connecticut in 1980, and a DSc in computer science from Washington University, St. Louis, in 1989. He is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and of the International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering. He is also a member of Columbia’s Data Science Institute. 

Research Areas

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computational Engineering Science
  • Data Science
  • Medical Devices and Instrumentation
  • Imaging Science
  • Deep / Machine Learning
  • Modeling & Simulation
  • Neuroscience & Neuroengineering
  • Visualization

Additional Information

  • Professional Experience
    • Co-Chair, Center for Health Analytics, Data Science Institute, Columbia University, 2020-present
    • Chair of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 2012–2017
    • Percy K. and Vida W. Hudson Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Radiology, Columbia University, 2011–present
    • Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Radiology (Physics), Columbia University, 2004–2010
    • Founding Director, Heffner Biomedical Imaging Lab, Columbia University, 1997–present
    • Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Radiology (Physics), Columbia University, 1995–2004
    • Associate Professor of Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering; of Electrical and Computer Engineering; and of Radiology, University of Florida, 1995–1997
    • Assistant Professor of Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering, University of Florida, 1990–1995
  • Professional Affiliations
    • Member, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
    • Member, Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
    • President, IEEE Engineering in Biology and Medicine Society (EMBS), 2015-2016
    • Past President, IEEE Engineering in Biology and Medicine Society (EMBS), 2017-2018
    • Chair, Technical Committee on Biomedical Health Informatics, IEEE EMBS, 2018-2020
    • Editorial Board, Journal of Biomedical Health Informatics, IEEE, 2018 – present
    • Executive Advisory Board, Journal of Computerized Tomography and Computerized Radiology (CMIG), ELSEVIER, 2020 – present
    • Steering Committee for IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI)
    • Appointed two consecutive 2-year terms, 1/2021 – 1/2024
    • International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineers (IAMBE), Chair, Membership Committee, 2022-2024.
    • IEEE EMBS Fellows Nomination Committee Chair, 2023 – 2025
  • Honors & Awards
    • Fellow IAMBE (International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineers
    • Fellow, International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering (IFMBE)
    • Fellow, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
    • AIMBE Fellow - American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (Class of 2006)
    • Distinguished Lecturer, IEEE Engineering in Biology and Medicine Society (EMBS), 2021 – 2024
    • IBM Faculty Award, T.J. Watson Research Center (2008, 2009)
    • Humboldt Research Award, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Bonn, Germany; Sponsoring Institutes: Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany, 1998, and University of Bremen, MeVis Institute, Bremen, Germany, 1999
    • Whitaker Foundation Award in Biomedical Engineering, 1992
    • Research Initiation Award, National Science Foundation, 1991
    • Engineering Research Award, Engineering Foundation and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 1991