Faculty spotlight – Yufeng Zheng, PhD
The John D. Bower School of Population Health is proud to highlight the work of Dr. Yufeng Zheng, associate professor in the Department of Data Science, whose research and leadership continue to advance artificial intelligence and data science at UMMC and beyond.
Dr. Zheng joined the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2021 and brings deep expertise in machine learning, deep learning, pattern recognition and computer-aided diagnosis. His scholarship focuses on applying advanced computational methods to biomedical imaging, predictive modeling and population health research. He has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and has contributed to multiple books and funded research projects.
In 2025, Dr. Zheng was named Mississippi’s first NVIDIA University Ambassador, a significant professional recognition that positions him as a leader in GPU-accelerated computing and AI education. In this role, he helps connect students and researchers with cutting-edge tools, training opportunities and best practices from NVIDIA, strengthening capacity for advanced analytics and innovation across academic programs.
“As we enter the AI era, these technologies will touch every discipline and every community. My goal is to provide high-quality, professional AI training that strengthens our institution’s research and educational capacity while translating AI advances into meaningful community impact," says Dr. Zheng. "I deeply appreciate the School of Population Health’s strong support in hosting these AI training workshops, which makes this work possible.”
Dr. Zheng’s work in deep learning and large language models plays an important role in the evolving field of population health data science. His research includes neural network models for analyzing biomedical signals, image-based diagnostics and AI-driven approaches to understanding complex health data. He is also a certified NVIDIA instructor in deep learning and large language models, reflecting his commitment to both research excellence and high-impact teaching.
Through his research, mentorship and national engagement, Dr. Zheng exemplifies the integration of data science and population health. His work continues to expand how artificial intelligence can be used to support discovery, education and improved health outcomes.