2025 iHub × IBM SkillsBuild
Technology Bootcamp

Dr. Zhang is a seasoned technology leader with a unique cross-disciplinary background spanning AI, biotech, healthcare, and enterprise innovation. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Columbia University, and has served in leadership roles at top organizations including Bristol Myers Squibb, Verge Genomics, and Recursion Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Zhang is also the co-founder of Opaida AI, an award-winning talent and AI innovation platform.

A respected voice in the intersection of science and society, he actively mentors youth and early-career professionals, while championing ethical AI and inclusive innovation. His mission is to empower the next generation through accessible, impactful technology education.

Ruixiang Tang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Rutgers University, specializing in trustworthy AI, a critical field that requires integrating trust throughout the AI lifecycle, from data acquisition and model development to deployment and user interaction. Within this overarching theme, his research focuses on safety, privacy, and explainability. 

Ruixiang’s recent work focuses on opening the black box of LLMs, investigating their training dynamics and decision-making processes. His research spans mechanistic interpretation of LLMs, hallucination detection, and uncertainty estimation, with the goal of decomposing LLMs into understandable components. This foundational understanding allows for targeted risk mitigation strategies in uncertainty, AI safety, and robustness, with a strong emphasis on building reliable LLMs for healthcare applications. 

Over the years, his research has resulted in 30 publications across top-tier venues in machine learning, data mining, and healthcare, including NeurIPS, ICLR, AAAI, KDD, WWW, ACL, etc. He has collaborated with medical professionals and health informaticians from NJ Medical School, Yale, UTHealth, and Baylor College of Medicine to advance AI-driven healthcare applications. Additionally, he maintains active partnerships with industry leaders, including Microsoft Research and Adobe Research, working to translate his research into practical tools and prototypes that enhance the safety and trustworthiness of LLMs.

Dr. Bruce Zou is an international trade expert and educator passionate about preparing students for a future shaped by AI and global collaboration. From 2016 to 2020, he led U.S.–China investment projects with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, securing over $2 billion in foreign investment and creating thousands of jobs. He also organized high-profile forums such as the U.S.–China Governors Forum and SelectUSA.

Dr. Zou holds a Doctorate in Education Policy from the University of Pennsylvania, with research focusing on AI-driven workforce development, localization, and cross-border education. He also holds master’s degrees in Law and Public Administration from Penn and dual degrees in International Commerce and Accounting from the University of Kentucky. A certified Google Data Analyst, he bridges theory and practice in teaching.

As a guest lecturer, he will guide students on global education trends, AI-era career pathways, and personal growth through real-world insights and thought-provoking discussions.

Dr. Shaoke Lou is a senior scientist at Amgen, and he was a research scientist at Yale University, focusing on microbiome–host interactions, cancer biology, and immune response. His work includes predicting microbe–host and COVID-19 interactions, studying microbiome privacy, and analyzing single-cell brain data related to schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. He is experienced in spatial transcriptomics, methylation analysis, and applying deep learning to biomedical data, particularly in cancer immunotherapy.

Previously, Dr. Shaoke completed a postdoctoral fellowship modeling the effects of genetic mutations on disease using machine learning. He holds a Ph.D. in Data Mining and Bioinformatics from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, an M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, and a B.S. in Chemistry from Xiamen University.

With over ten years of experience in translational biomedical research, Dr. Shaoke is dedicated to using computational and data-driven methods to advance human health.

Dr. Xiaoyan Wang is a professor at Department of Health Policy and Management of Tulane University and Chief Scientist of IMO Health. She has authored hundreds of research papers focused on transforming healthcare and life sciences through AI innovation and has held prominent leadership roles in AI advisory committees and working groups across multiple scientific and professional societies. She was recently VP of Healthcare Analytics and Informatics and VP of Biopharma Solutions at GeneDx Mount Sinai Genomics Inc. Before joining the biopharma industry, she was a faculty member at the University of Connecticut, UConn Health Center, and Mount Sinai Health Systems bridging research, health services, and teaching. She holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics and NLP from Columbia University School of Medicine.