I'm Hossein Fathollahian

As a passionate PhD student at UIC, I'm deeply engaged in the fields of AI and Machine Learning, Visual Analytics, and Human-Computer Interaction, where I explore innovative ways to transform complex data and interactions into meaningful, impactful insights.

At UIC, my work focuses on biomedical data visualization, medical imaging, and brain connectomics. I apply AI, Machine Learning, and Human-Computer Interaction to design advanced visualization and computer vision techniques that uncover complex patterns in biomedical data. By integrating intelligent algorithms with human-centered design, I aim to make biomedical insights more interpretable, actionable, and impactful for both researchers and clinicians.

I'm a Ph.D. student in Computer Science at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) under the supervision of Prof. G. Elisabeta (Liz) Marai and co-advisor Dr. Saeed Boorboor. I obtained my master's in Telecommunication Engineering at Shahid Beheshti University of Tehran, Iran. I'm currently working as a Research Assistant at the Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL). My research interests are Visualization, Computer vision, and Image processing.

Looking for an opportunity to research in a challenging position combining my skills in visual analytics and computer vision, which provides professional development, interesting experiences and personal growth.

1- Graduate Research Assistant

Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) And Department Of Communication, UIC

Jan 2024 - Present | Chicago, IL
2- Graduate Teaching Assistant

University of Chicago Illinois

  • CS 141: Introduction to Computer Science(Prof. Mark Hodges)
  • CS 251: Data Structures and Algorithms(Prof. Daniel Ayala)
  • CS 211: Computer Programming practicum(Prof. Scott Reckinger)
Spring-Fall 2024, Spring 2025 |UIC, Chicago, USA
3- Head of Low Voltage System Design and Research and Development

MENIC Co., Tehran, Iran

  • Designing, consulting, and implementing telecommunication and low voltage systems in industrial plants and buildings (CCTV, telephone, speakers, fire alarms, paging, and computer networks)
  • Leading innovation and strategy in research and development to drive technological advancement and growth
Jan 2017 - Sep 2023 | Tehran, Iran
4- Image Processing Specialist

Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

  • Image and video feature extraction and pattern recognition in textiles and painting quality measurement
  • MATLAB and Python programming for various image processing tasks
Nov 2011 - Dec 2012 | Tehran, Iran

Programming Languages

Python
JavaScript
C++
Java

Databases

MySQL
PostgreSQL

Shell & Scripting

Shell Scripting
Unix Shell

Data Science Libraries

NumPy
Pandas
OpenCV
scikit-learn
matplotlib

Web Frameworks

Django
Flask
Node.js
Bootstrap

Deep Learning Frameworks

TensorFlow
PyTorch
Keras

Tools & Technologies

Git
AWS
Heroku
Unity
1- ConGAT: Context-Aware Graph Attention Network For 3D Region Of Interest Discovery In Multiplexed Microscopy Images

A visual analysis system that uses 3D graph attention networks and self-supervised learning to identify cell–cell interactions and regions of interest in large multiplexed microscopy volumes. Experts can combine biomarkers interactively to explore spatial patterns without labeled data.

View Demo → Live App → GitHub Repository →

2- Loom: Multi-Region Analysis Of Spatial Transcriptomics With Local Neighborhoods And Global Trajectories

A spatial transcriptomics visual computing system for pseudo-temporal trajectories, cross-sample comparison, and local microenvironments. A novel glyph and computational backbone support discovery of cellular transitions and spatiotemporal gene-expression dynamics.

View Demo → Live App → GitHub Repository →

3- BioSET: Interactive Visual Analysis Of Biomarker Co-Localization In Large Multi-Volume Tissue Data

An interactive visual analytics application for terabyte-scale multi-volume tissue data and biomarker co-localization at cellular resolution. Scalable 3D visualization, guided exploration, and reporting help experts find cellular interactions linked to disease such as cancer.

View Demo → Live App → GitHub Repository →

4- Communication Department: AI‑Enhanced Modeling of Human Communication Behaviors (Prof. Zizi Papacharissi)

Location: Chicago, IL | Position: Researcher (Since Fall 2025)

Contribution: I am pleased to serve in the Department of Communication under the supervision of Professor Zizi Papacharissi. In this role, I support projects that utilize AI and machine learning to enhance our understanding of human communication, integrating computational methods with communication research to identify meaningful patterns in how people interact.

5- Argonne National Laboratory: SAGE Project (Prof. Michael E. Papka)

Location: Chicago, IL | Position: Researcher (Since Summer 2025)

Contribution: Contributed to the NSF‑funded SAGE project in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory. Developed AI pipelines for sensor data using NVIDIA Jetson edge devices. Focused on real‑time data integration and deployment of ML models.

6- BI‑LAVA: A Visual Analytics and Active Learning System for Biomedical Image Taxonomies

Contribution: Developed a Computer vision caption finding and Frontend upgrading.

Tools: Web development, Database, Machine Learning

7- Camera Best View Positioning for Multidimensional Biomedical Imaging

Contribution: Propose and conduct new Algorithm based on 3D Gaussian splatting.

Tools: MATLAB, Python, Deep‑Learning

8- Early stage Axillary Lymph node detection in mammography image

Contribution: Leveraging radiomics extraction instead of only segmentation for improving machine learning efficiency.

Tools: MATLAB, Python, Deep Learning, data labeling

Bio+MedVis Challenge 2026

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View Demo → GitHub Repository →

Human Computer Interaction

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View Demo → GitHub Repository →

Computer Vision

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Stat NLP

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Database

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Game Design

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Other Categories

Machine Learning

Machine Learning

AI Research

AI Research

J: journal, C: conference/symposium, W: workshop

1. [J] Hossein Fathollahian, Siyuan Zhao, Nafiul Nipu, Marziye Salahshour, Lei Duan, Wei Tang, Saeed Boorboor, and G. Elisabeta Marai. "ConGAT: Context‑Aware Graph Attention Network for 3D Region of Interest Discovery in Multiplexed Microscopy Images." Computers & Graphics, 2026, 104728. doi:10.1016/j.cag.2026.104728

2. [J] Siyuan Zhao, Nafiul Nipu, Hossein Fathollahian, Olga Karginova, Hao Chen, Ameen Salahudeen, and G. Elisabeta Marai. "Loom: Multi‑Region Analysis of Spatial Transcriptomics with Local Neighborhoods and Global Trajectories." IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 2026. arXiv:2607.22505

3. [J] Tayebi, Safiyeh, Ayse Sert Oti, Hossein Fathollahian, and Ubydul Haque. " Mapping War Trauma: A Machine Learning Approach to Predict Mental Health Impacts in Ukraine." SSM–Population Health, 2025:101879. doi:10.1016/j.ssmph.2025.101879

4. [C] Hossein Fathollahian, Siyuan Zhao, Nafiul Nipu, and G. Elisabeta Marai. "Attention‑Based ROI Discovery in 3D Tissue Images." IEEE Bio+MedVis Challenge, Vienna, Austria, Nov 2025, pages 2‑4

5. [C] Hossein Fathollahian, Marziye Salahshour. " From Peaks to Patterns." IEEE Bio+MedVis Challenge, Vienna, Austria, Nov 2025, pages 22‑24

6. [J] Farah Torkamani‑Azar, Hassan Imani, Hossein Fathollahian. "Video Quality Measurement Based on 3‑D Singular Value Decomposition." Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation, Volume 27, February 2015, Pages 1–6. doi:10.1016/j.jvcir.2014.12.004.

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, USA

Degree: PhD student in Computer Science
GPA: 3.88/4.0

Relevant Coursework:

  • Human-Computer Interaction/ Data Visualization/ Video Game Design
  • Computer Algorithms/ Database/ Data Structure/ Software Engineering
  • Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning
  • Computer Vision/ Advance Computer Vision (3D)/ Advance Stat NLP

University of Shahid Beheshti

Tehran, Iran

Degree: M.Sc. in Telecommunication Engineering
GPA: 3.8/4.0

Relevant Coursework:

  • Image Processing
  • Signal Processing
  • Source and Channel Coding