ENNIS NATIVE, Darragh Glavin recently graduated with a PhD from the University of Limerick, where his research focused on applying machine learning to mental health screening.
Now based in Los Angeles, Darragh’s work aimed to improve ultra-brief questionnaires used to screen for depression and other mental health disorders, making them more predictive and efficient by using data-driven machine learning techniques. His research showed that machine learning can enhance screening tools, potentially identifying more individuals who might not be detected through traditional methods.
“I hope to provide rich and important insights and findings through data in the healthcare sphere that will have an impact and be beneficial for the people,” Darragh explained ahead of his graduation with a Doctorate in Machine Learning-based Optimisation of Ultra-brief Questionnaires for Mental Health Disorders last Wednesday.
Darragh’s interest in machine learning and mental health came from his technical background and personal experiences. He chose to pursue this field during his undergraduate studies in Electronic and Computer Engineering at UL, and later, a PhD through Science Foundation Ireland’s Centre for Research Training in Data Science. He used large datasets to optimize questionnaires, including a study in Amsterdam where he developed new screening tools for various mental health issues in university students.
Currently, Darragh works as Director of Analytics at an Irish start-up Akara Robotics, applying data science to improve surgical operations. He credits his PhD for preparing him for industry and stresses the importance of hands-on experience in data science, along with a solid foundation in statistics and machine learning algorithms.
“My role focuses on precisely measuring and optimising the utilisation of surgical centre operating rooms to maximise productivity and revenue, and more accurately predicting surgery durations to reduce downtime”.
