Juergen Hahn, Ph.D., professor and head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), has been elected to the prestigious European Academy of Sciences and Arts for his outstanding and sustained impact on science and society. He will be formally inducted into the organization in 2025.

Hahn is the first RPI faculty member to be elected to this academy, an international organization of top scientists, artists, and decision makers that includes 38 Nobel laureates. With its deep scientific and technical knowledge, this network of experts is also a resource for government leaders shaping policies and initiatives that impact their communities. 

“This election is a well-deserved recognition of Juergen’s international contributions, visibility, and the impact of his work in the area of human health,” said Shekhar Garde, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Engineering.

“It is nice to be recognized among such a distinguished group and represent RPI in an international forum,” Hahn said. 

New members of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts must first be nominated by their peers and then evaluated and elected by the Academy. 

Hahn has been widely recognized for his contributions to autism spectrum disorder research.

One of his ongoing research projects uses artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to look for patterns in blood samples of children with autism. In a 2017 study, Hahn and his colleagues found that children with an autism diagnosis have significantly different metabolite levels in their blood compared to children who are developing typically. 

Building on this research, Hahn will use these AI tools to uncover metabolite differences between children with an autism diagnosis and those who have developmental delays unrelated to autism. 

“It is often difficult for doctors to distinguish between young children with autism spectrum disorder and those with developmental delays. It’s often only until the child is several years old that a more definitive diagnosis can be made. With our work, we hope to enable earlier and more precise diagnosis of these conditions,” Hahn explained. 

Hahn’s other area of research focuses on improving quality of life for people with autism disorder who live in residential facilities. 

In a 2023 study, Hahn’s team used AI tools to analyze years of biomedical data from people living in a facility where they receive around-the-clock care. They found a possible connection between sleep, gastrointestinal health, and two potentially harmful behaviors often associated with profound autism: self-injury and aggression. Next, the team will analyze data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand how the rigid routines of lockdown affected these patterns. 

In addition, Hahn is working on a project to use AI to predict whether a residential facility will be a good fit for someone with autism disorder who needs 24/7 care. 

“Every facility is different, and it can be very hard on residents and their families to have to move around a lot to find the right one. If we can combine the institutional knowledge of people who work at residential facilities with data-driven insights, we could help people find the environment that is best for them,” Hahn said. 

Hahn has led the Department of Biomedical Engineering through a period of strong growth in students, faculty, and research. For example, this year, thanks to Professor Hahn’s efforts, RPI established a new master’s program in biomedical engineering data science to meet the intensifying industry demand for graduates with that skill set.