Student
Carle Illinois Medical School
Jeffrey Li is a dedicated medical student with a strong interest in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (ENT), driven by a passion for improving patient care through technological innovation. With a background in biomedical engineering, Jeffrey brings a unique perspective to clinical medicine, combining a deep understanding of human physiology with technical expertise in device development and computational modeling. His engineering training laid a strong foundation in data science, machine learning, and signal processing—skills he now applies to clinical questions in ENT, particularly in surgical decision-making, cancer diagnostics, and health disparities.
During medical school, Jeffrey has been actively involved in interdisciplinary research projects at the intersection of computer vision and head and neck cancer surgery. He contributed to the development of a surgical video database and deep learning models aimed at optimizing intraoperative performance and post-operative outcomes. His experience building robust datasets, annotating complex anatomy, and collaborating with software developers and surgeons has fueled his ambition to help shape the future of precision otolaryngology.
Jeffrey is particularly drawn to the field’s blend of microsurgery, technology integration, and impact on fundamental functions such as hearing, breathing, and speech. He envisions a career in academic medicine, where he can lead efforts to implement machine learning models for clinical decision support, improve access to subspecialty care through telemedicine and mobile diagnostics, and advance innovations in hearing health and airway surgery.
Motivated by a desire to serve underserved populations, he also hopes to apply these tools to reduce geographic and socioeconomic barriers to ENT care. Through a career at the crossroads of medicine, engineering, and innovation, Jeffrey aspires to improve both the precision and equity of care delivered to patients with head and neck conditions.