AI-Driven Science at U of T Sparks Breakthrough Startups in Health, Environment, and Senior Care

Schmidt AI in Science Fellows Advance Research into Commercial Solutions

At the University of Toronto, Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellows are transforming diverse fields—including veterinary science, environmental monitoring, and elder care—by applying artificial intelligence to practical challenges. Supported by Schmidt Sciences, the fellowship program accelerates scientific progress by equipping researchers with AI tools to enhance research in STEM disciplines. Three fellows have successfully moved their innovations from the lab into commercial ventures that promise meaningful impact.

AI-Driven Veterinary Diagnostics

Gerard O’Leary, a neurotechnology engineer, began by developing an implantable device to reduce seizures in dogs with epilepsy. This work evolved into NXVET, a digital platform that uses AI-connected devices to streamline physiological data collection in veterinary settings. The platform includes the patented NXSCOPE stethoscope attachment, which automates data gathering and cuts clinical documentation time by up to 30%, leading to more accurate diagnostics.

O’Leary completed his fellowship with mentorship from experts in computer science and medicine. He notes that the Schmidt Fellowship enabled him to explore AI applications in veterinary healthcare and expand NXVET’s capabilities. The long-term goal is to improve clinical workflows and extend this approach to human healthcare.

Affordable Environmental Monitoring for Agriculture and Cities

Md Abdul Halim, co-founder and CEO of CredoSense, is developing accessible, integrated tools for environmental monitoring that deliver lab-level accuracy outside controlled settings. His flagship product combines AI-powered plant health diagnostics with real-time analytics to help users make informed crop decisions quickly. This solution targets precision agriculture and ecosystem management, especially in regions with limited resources.

In parallel, Halim’s research advances methane monitoring technology—a critical greenhouse gas with significant climate impact—with applications for climate-smart urban environments. His fellowship work led to early plant stress detection breakthroughs and the development of five market-ready products.

Predicting and Preventing Falls in Older Adults

Biomedical engineer Mehdy Dousty is developing RadioVision, a technology that predicts falls among seniors by analyzing in-home movement patterns. Unlike hospital assessments, which miss hazards in daily living environments, RadioVision uses radio-frequency waves to create a privacy-preserving motion map without cameras. This enables detection of risky movements and prediction of falls in real time.

Dousty collaborates with experts in electrical engineering and computer science. He emphasizes that RadioVision’s ambient-intelligence capabilities can support seniors’ independence, reduce injuries, and lower healthcare costs. The Schmidt Fellowship supports his efforts to develop these technologies and engage with entrepreneurial programs for commercialization.

Supporting AI-Fluent Scientific Innovation

The Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship program at U of T is led by prominent scientists who integrate robotics and AI to accelerate materials science and data-driven research. The program equips fellows with skills to apply AI across disciplines, producing researchers ready to push the boundaries of scientific methodology.

The commercial successes of O’Leary, Halim, and Dousty illustrate the program’s impact in bridging lab discoveries with market-ready applications. By embracing entrepreneurial opportunities throughout their fellowships, these researchers ensure their AI-enhanced work reaches broader communities and drives practical improvements.

Applications for the fourth cohort of Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellows at U of T are open until October 8, 2025.

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