Professor Lei Zhang is a medical AI researcher, epidemiologist and health economist at Monash University, where he leads the Artificial Intelligence and Modelling in Epidemiology Program in the School of Translational Medicine. With foundational training in mathematics, bioinformatics and medicine, he develops and evaluates AI technologies that improve disease detection, risk prediction, clinical decision-making and healthcare delivery.

His research applies machine learning, computer vision, agentic AI, mathematical modelling and economic evaluation across sexually transmitted infections, HIV, anal and cervical cancers, viral hepatitis and other major health challenges. He has led the development and commercialisation of AI-assisted screening technologies and currently leads research using AI to improve anal cancer detection and care. His broader program is developing human-supervised agentic AI systems that dynamically connect patients with appropriate prevention, testing and treatment.

Professor Zhang has published more than 400 academic works and attracted A$23.3 million in international, government and philanthropic research funding. He established the China–Australia Joint Research Centre for Infectious Diseases and has advised the World Health Organization, World Bank and national health bodies.

His achievements have been recognised through the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences’ Key Medical Development Award and the 2025 ATSE Clunies Ross Technology Innovation Award for AI-assisted STI and cervical-cancer screening innovations and their international health impact.