Julio Min Fei Zhang
MD, MPH · Department of Radiology
Physician-researcher in radiology, population health, and medical AI.
Bio
I'm a physician-researcher focused on medical imaging, predictive modeling, and population health. Most of my current work is on lung cancer screening and multimodal prediction models in radiology.
I trained in medicine at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, completed an MPH at Columbia University, and am now a research associate in the Department of Radiology at the University of Florida, working with Dr. Bruno Hochhegger. I'm also a Senior Collaborator on the Global Burden of Disease Study at IHME.
Education
Master's in Public Health (MPH)
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health - USA
Focused on Global Health and Health Policy, this program combines qualitative and quantitative training in epidemiology, with coursework in health systems management and public policy.
Medical Doctor (MD)
University of São Paulo - Brazil & University of Lisbon - Portugal
Graduated from the University of São Paulo (USP), best medical university in Latin America according to EduRank. In 2019, the acceptance rate for the medical school was 0.87%. The medical degree was also officially recognized by the University of Lisbon, Portugal, via a bilateral agreement.
Experience
OPS Research Associate
Department of Radiology, University of Florida
Research position in the Department of Radiology under the mentorship of Dr. Bruno Hochhegger. Focus includes multimodal predictive modeling and opportunistic screening for lung cancer.
Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Senior Collaborator
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
Participated as an official GBD Collaborator in the Global Burden of Disease Study, a comprehensive regional and global research program led by IHME that assesses mortality and disability from major diseases, injuries, and risk factors. Contributed to data interpretation and manuscript review, supporting the production of evidence-based metrics used by policymakers and researchers worldwide.
Research in AI applied to Family Medicine
Penn State University
Engaged in the family medicine department program under Dr. Wen-Jan Tuan's guidance, utilizing Machine Learning and Data Mining techniques, specifically Association Rule Mining, to analyze and predict outpatient appointment no-shows. Developed a model using Python to mine local datasets, uncovering patterns for enhancing healthcare delivery.
Clerkship in Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Yale University
Completed a 4-week rotation dedicated to bedside ultrasound and didactic activities in the Emergency Department, performing evaluations in cardiac, pulmonary, general abdominal, pelvic, soft tissue, and trauma cases, including supervised ultrasound-guided procedures.
Program Coordinator in Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Meta-Analysis Academy
Designed and analyzed systematic review and meta-analysis projects under the guidance of Professor Rhanderson Cardoso, chief fellow in cardiovascular imaging at Brigham and Women's Hospital - Harvard University.
Medical Content Developer
RD Medicine
Created USMLE-style questions and applied medical expertise to clinical accuracy and relevance. Intermittent, as-needed independent contractor services.
Medical Expedition to Rio Grande do Sul
Bandeira Científica
Collaborated with the NGO Xingu+Catu and the Brazilian Red Cross to conduct health promotion activities addressing the pressing needs of the local indigenous population. Responsible for coordinating patients among specialties and conducting epidemiological research.
Medical Expedition to Amazon Rainforest
NGO Zoé
Joined the NGO Zoé expedition, providing essential medical assistance to indigenous communities in Belterra, Pará. Conducted scientific research focused on understanding health needs and developing strategies to support those protecting the Amazon rainforest.
Internship in Medicine at the University of Lisbon
Portugal
Completed a 4-week rotation in the Internal Medicine department at the University of Lisbon, gaining a comprehensive overview of the European healthcare system and hands-on experience in direct patient care, supported by the Santander Scholarship.
Member of Endoscopy and Colonoscopy Interest Group
FMUSP
Participating in endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures in the experimental laboratory of the University of São Paulo.
Internship in Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
Monterrey - Mexico
Rotated in the Internal Medicine department, encompassing outpatient care, ward observations, and clinical lectures in Spanish, facilitated by the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA).
Member of Dyslipidemia Interest Group
General Hospital USP
Conducted weekly consults with outpatients diagnosed with dyslipidemia in the cardiology clinic.
Monitor of the Comprehensive Case Discussion Discipline
FMUSP
Assisted students in integrating basic science with clinical practice and received the PUB scholarship.
Head coordinator
Interdisciplinary group - Estereli.Easy
Led a multidisciplinary project of 7 undergraduate students, 2 post-doctoral researchers, and 3 professors from the University of São Paulo to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Coordinated team phases from idealization to validation and experimentation with air decontamination equipment.
Member of Acupuncture Interest Group
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology USP
Provided biweekly consults to outpatients with chronic pain in the acupuncture clinic.
Member of High Blood Pressure Interest Group
General Hospital USP
Conducted weekly consults for outpatients with hypertension in the general clinic.
Finance Director
ARGO - Health Innovation at the University of São Paulo
Coordinated financial organization for ARGO, an interdisciplinary group of 45 students focused on developing innovative health solutions.
Learning Coordinator
Pinheiros Investment Group
Trained members with weekly publications on investments and created a study guide.
Collaborator
Congresso Médico Universitário (COMU)
Participated in organizing the annual congress by the Scientific Department of FMUSP for over 500 medical students nationwide, providing class organization and media support.
Member
Extensão Médica Acadêmica (EMA)
Engaged in extracurricular activities, learning to apply anamnesis and clinical examinations in primary care settings.
Member
Medicina Jr
Participated in an academic organization, training students in healthcare administration.
Clinical & Service
Event medical coverage
Torre Emergências Médicas
Provided general clinical care at corporate and festive events as an independent physician.
Inter-hospital patient transport
Intensiva Remoções Terrestres
Medical shifts in a mobile ICU ambulance for inter-hospital patient transport, monitoring patients with clinical instability.
Publications
17 peer-reviewed publications shown below.
Zhang JMF, Hochhegger B. Better than nothing is not a standard: lessons from drug development for radiology AI evaluation. J Am Coll Radiol. Published online September 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jacr.2026.08.031 (First and corresponding author)[link]
GBD 2023 Heart Failure Collaborators (Zhang JMF, collaborator). Global, regional, and national burden of heart failure, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. JAMA Cardiol. Published online September 2026. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2026.4068[link]
GBD 2023 Human Resources for Health Collaborators (Zhang JMF, collaborator). Measuring the composition and availability of human resources for health by sex in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2023, and workforce gaps for universal health coverage: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Lancet Public Health. 2026;11(9):e604-e629. doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(26)00145-3[link]
GBD 2023 HIV Collaborators (Zhang JMF, collaborator). Global, regional, and national burden of HIV/AIDS, 1990-2023, with the estimated burden attributable to intimate partner violence and forecasted impacts of funding cuts through 2030: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Lancet HIV. Published online August 2026. PMID: 42612664[link]
Hochhegger B, Zhang JMF, da Fonseca JM, Bergmann L, Biederer J, Altmayer S, Hochhegger D, Ackman JB. Evolving indications, technical quality, diagnostic outcomes, and utilization patterns of chest magnetic resonance imaging: a quaternary care center experience with 3,730 patients over 25 years. J Thorac Imaging. Published online August 2026. doi:10.1097/RTI.0000000000000899 (Corresponding author)[link]
GBD 2023 LDL Cholesterol Collaborators (Zhang JMF, collaborator). Global burden of elevated LDL-C: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. JAMA. 2026;336(8):673-698. doi:10.1001/jama.2026.8628[link]
GBD 2023 TB HIV Collaborators (Zhang JMF, collaborator). Global, regional, and national burden of tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis by HIV status, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Lancet Infect Dis. Published online July 2026. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(26)00295-1[link]
GBD 2023 Diarrhoeal Disease and Enteric Infectious Diseases Collaborators (Zhang JMF, collaborator). Global burden of enteric infectious diseases, diarrhoeal diseases, and corresponding aetiologies, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Lancet Infect Dis. Published online June 2026. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(26)00194-5[link]
Zhang JMF, Leite M, Santos CB, Pessôa FD, Tuan WJ. Large language models and primary care: a scoping review. AMIA Jt Summits Transl Sci Proc. 2026;2026:574-583. PMID: 42317827 (First author)[link]
GBD 2023 Maternal Mortality Collaborators (Zhang JMF, collaborator). Global, regional, and national levels and trends in maternal mortality, progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, and mortality from COVID-19 infection in pregnant women, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Lancet Obstet Gynaecol Womens Health. 2026;2(5):e375-e424. doi:10.1016/S3050-5038(26)00047-6[link]
GBD 2023 Meningitis and Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators (Zhang JMF, collaborator). Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis, its risk factors, and aetiologies, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Lancet Neurol. 2026;25(5):451-468. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(26)00101-8[link]
GBD 2023 Mental Disorder Collaborators (Zhang JMF, collaborator). Updated trends in the global prevalence and burden of mental disorders, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Lancet. 2026;407(10543):2040-2064. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00519-2[link]
GBD 2023 Causes of Death Collaborators (Zhang JMF, collaborator). Global burden of 292 causes of death in 204 countries and territories and 660 subnational locations, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Lancet. 2025;406(10513):1811-1872. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01917-8[link]
Provinciatto H, Moreira MVB, Neves GR, De Freitas LR, Mitsui HC, Zhang JMF, Araujo Júnior E. Levothyroxine for subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2024;309(6):2387-2393. doi:10.1007/s00404-024-07512-3[link]
Zhang JMF, de Andrade AEC, Machado FAM, Ghilardi LB, Almeida BM, Falararo BVBP, Machado GA, Emygdio APM, Pereira GM, Magalhães DV, Forner-Cordero A, Vasconcellos PC. Development of an air purifier with UVC radiation and HEPA filter in the context of COVID-19. Eng Sanit Ambient. 2022;27(6):1113-1122. doi:10.1590/S1413-415220220114 (First author)[link]
Zhang JMF, Tagusagawa LK, Zyngier SP, Cassenote AJF, Scheffer MC, Matijasevich A. Who and where are the doctors trained by the residency of the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo? Rev Med (São Paulo). 2021;100(4):312-321. doi:10.11606/issn.1679-9836.v100i4p312-321 (First author)[link]
Zyngier SP, Scheffer MC, Tagusagawa LK, Zhang JMF, Cassenote AJF, Matijasevich A. Profile and specialization of the alumni of the University of São Paulo Medical School. Rev Med (São Paulo). 2021;100(2):102-111. doi:10.11606/issn.1679-9836.v100i2p102-111[link]
See the full CV or Google Scholar for the complete list.
Peer Review
Aug/2026
Annals of Internal Medicine
Reviewer
Peer-reviewed a manuscript on artificial intelligence in medicine, assessing scholarly rigor and clinical relevance.
Jul/2026
Journal of Imaging Informatics in Medicine
Reviewer
Peer-reviewed manuscript submissions in medical imaging informatics, evaluating technical methodology, algorithmic validity, clinical relevance, and application of AI in medical imaging.
Apr/2026
AMIA 2026 Annual Symposium
Reviewer
Peer-reviewed scientific submissions for the annual symposium, providing assessments of technical merit, innovation, and relevance to the field of biomedical informatics.
Nov/2025
Frontiers in Public Health
Reviewer
Peer-reviewed a Review Article for public health surveillance. Provided scientific comments, including assessment of methodological transparency, data quality, and the validity of applying findings.
Sep/2025
Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development
Reviewer
Peer-reviewed a manuscript in the area of medical education and curricular development, providing recommendations to improve its academic rigor
Recognition
2026
Anthropic AI for Science Program
Claude Research Credits
Proposal approved by Anthropic’s AI for Science program, earning US$21,000 in Claude credits for our lab to support lung cancer screening research at the Department of Radiology, University of Florida.
2026
Brazil Conference at Harvard & MIT Fellowship
Selected through a competitive process to participate as a Fellow in the annual conference held at Harvard University and MIT. Engaged with global leaders, policymakers, and scholars to discuss multidisciplinary solutions for Brazil's development*.
2025
Future AI Leader
The AI Summit New York 2025
Selected as a Future AI Leader based on a multidisciplinary background combining clinical medicine with Artificial Intelligence.
2025
Lemann Foundation Scholarship
Awarded the Lemann Foundation Scholarship, covering 100% of tuition fees for the Master's in Public Health at Columbia University.
2024
University of São Paulo Research Exchange Program Scholarship
Awarded a competitive grant to facilitate research exchange between the University of São Paulo and Penn State University.
2023
Outstanding student selected for Brazil at Silicon Valley Conference Scholarship
Participated in Brazil at the Silicon Valley Conference with a full scholarship after a selection of Brazilian students who can contribute to the country's technological advancement. Conference headed by students from Stanford and Berkeley that aims to improve Brazil’s technology development*.
2023
Grant Recipient from Amigos da Poli Institute for Estereli.Easy Research
Received a grant from Amigos da Poli Institute for the 'Estereli.Easy' research, aimed at advancing research in low-cost air purifiers. This grant is part of the Edital de Projetos initiative, which focuses on investing in innovative projects from the USP community, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, faculty, and staff.
2023
Santander Exchange Program Scholarship
Competitive grant awarded for clinical exchange between the University of Lisbon and the University of São Paulo.
2021
First place at MIT Hacking Medicine Hackathon
Achieved first place at the MIT Hacking Medicine Hackathon - Building for Digital Health in 2021 as the Head. Dr team. Hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the hackathon “Building for Digital Health 2021”.
2021
Programa de Estímulo de Graduação (PEEB) Scholarship
Facilitated discussions as the Monitor of Comprehensive Case Discussion and received a PEEB scholarship.
2021
Nominated as a highlight young scientist by the “Journal of Campus”
Recognized for efforts in combating the spread of COVID-19, I have been nominated as a young scientist by the "Jornal do Campus" at the University of São Paulo. My contribution involves the creation of a low-cost air purifier during the peak of the pandemic, providing accessible solutions to enhance air quality.
2021
Special student selected at the +Conexões Program of Brazil Conference at Harvard & MIT
Participated in the Conexões Program of the Brazil Conference held at Harvard and MIT in 2021. With a passion for fostering global connections, I contributed by exchanging ideas with fellow participants and distinguished scholars*.
2020
Honorable mention in the International Stage of the 28th SIICUSP
Received Honorable Mention at the International Stage of Flash Talk for translating complex scientific work into accessible language.
2020
Unified Scholarship Program (PUB) Scholarship
Awarded a two-year Unified Scholarship Program scholarship by the University of Sao Paulo to develop my research papers "Who and Where are the Doctors Trained in the Residency of the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of Sao Paulo?" and "Profile and Specialization of the alumni of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School".
2019
CAPES University Talent Award
Honored with the CAPES University Talent Award. This government program acknowledges the remarkable cognitive skills demonstrated by Brazilian students who have exhibited an outstanding degree of development in their academic pursuits.
Credentials
2026
ECFMG Certification
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
Certified upon successful completion of STEP1 and STEP2CK (251), alongside the Occupational English Test (OET). Fully eligible for graduate medical education and residency training in the United States.
2026
AI Agents: Intensive Vibe Coding Capstone Project
Kaggle in collaboration with Google
Participated in a project-based capstone focused on developing AI-agent solutions, applying agentic AI workflows, rapid prototyping, and practical AI-assisted coding approaches.
2024
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
American Heart Association
Completed comprehensive training in ACLS, focusing on managing cardiac emergencies and resuscitation techniques.
2024
Specialization of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Stanford Online
Completed the AI in Healthcare specialization offered by Stanford University through Coursera, gaining proficiency in leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance healthcare solutions and patient care.
2024
Python
Kaggle
Completed Python programming course offered by Kaggle, showcasing a foundation in Python syntax, data structures, and algorithmic thinking.
2024
UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Successfully completed the FAA's TRUST certification for drone operation, demonstrating knowledge of safety and regulatory guidelines for recreational unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
2023
TOEFL iBT
ETS
Scored 100 out of 120 on the TOEFL iBT test.
2020
Essential Epidemiologic Tools for Public Health Practice
Johns Hopkins
Developed skills in data visualization to describe epidemiological risk factors and learned to perform numerical estimates for assessing public health problems and evaluating the burden of diseases within populations.
Affiliations
Oct/2026
Guest Co-Moderator
National Imaging Informatics Curriculum and Course (NIIC)
Invited by the NIIC Program Directors to co-moderate the Generative AI session, alongside Dr. Tejani, with talks by Drs. Farina and Shih. The course is offered by SIIM, RSNA, and the Digital Pathology Association.
Jul/2026
Member in Training Committee
Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM)
Selected to serve a three-year term on the SIIM Member in Training Committee. Contributes to committee initiatives supporting SIIM’s mission to advance imaging informatics and transform imaging data into meaningful improvements in healthcare.
Oct/2025
Member-in-Training
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
Engaged with the latest advancements in medical imaging and diagnostics by joining the global RSNA community, furthering my interest in the intersection of radiology and artificial intelligence.
May/2024
Jornada Paulista de Radiologia - JPR Congress
Participated in the Jornada Paulista de Radiologia (JPR) 2024, the biggest Latin American radiology congress, held in São Paulo, Brazil.
Jan/2024
Science
Technology, & Ethics in the Real World course - MIT
Participated in the Ethics in Technology Mini-Course at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), both in person and remotely. Engaged with the exploration of technological innovations through ethical lenses, focusing on climate science, bioethics, artificial intelligence, and everyday ethics within the tech industry.
Jan/2024
11th Neuro-Oncology Brain Tumor Symposium - Penn University
Attended the 11th Neuro-Oncology Brain Tumor Symposium at Penn University, in person. Acquired advanced knowledge of cutting-edge treatments and diagnostics for brain tumors, including molecular profiling and immunotherapeutic approaches.
Jan/2024 - Present
World Medical Association (WMA) - Associate Member
Active member of the World Medical Association (WMA) as a Medical Student, interested in global health and discussions on key public health issues.
Jun/2022
Translator at China HomeLife Exposition - Sao Paulo
Participated as a Chinese-Portuguese-English translator at the China Homelife Brazil event. My efforts contributed to overcoming language barriers, fostering successful international partnerships, and facilitating a deeper understanding of product offerings and business opportunities.
Aug/2021 - today
American College of Physicians (ACP) - Associate Member
Engaged in the Annual Internal Medicine Meeting for educational content in internal medicine.
Aug/2021
- April/2022 Translator in the Sino-Brazilian Polyclinic
Managed doctor-patient communication as a Chinese-Portuguese translator.
2020 - 2020
Co-founder of Perspicazes Vestibulares
Co-founded a preparatory course for the vestibular, gaining approvals from major Brazilian universities.
2019 - 2020
Member and Director of the modality of the baseball team - Academic Athletic Association Oswaldo Cruz (AAAOC)
Trained for the USP medical school baseball team and coordinated games and events as Director of the modality, responsible for the game schedule, competitions, and confraternization.
2019-2020
Mentor for entrance exam students
Mentored students for university exams, with weekly one-hour meetings.
Skills & Interests
- Languages
- Portuguese, native / English, advanced / Chinese, advanced / Shanghainese, advanced / Spanish, work proficient
- Technical Stacks
- Python, SQL, R, SAS and VBA
- Cuisine Enthusiast
- Passion for international cuisine, I like to explore diverse culinary traditions and also take immense pleasure in cooking and sharing meals.
- Backpacker
- Love for independence and a desire to continually push my boundaries in uncharted territories.
- Lab Maker
- Engaging in the Lab Maker community, I revel in blending engineering and design principles to foster innovative solutions.
Interested in imaging, AI, or population health research? I welcome conversations about collaborations and projects that move useful ideas into practice. Reach me at juliozhang107@gmail.com.