The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Grainger College of Engineering has announced a $12.5 million gift from Vizzhy, Inc. founder and CEO Vishnu Vardhan to establish a center that blends computing and medicine to combat chronic disease and improve wellness.

To be housed in the Coordinated Science Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research lab focused on information technology, the AI for Wellness Center aims to reach beyond treating metabolic diseases to preventing the causes and reversing the prior impacts of the diseases. AI will be a vital aspect of the center’s efforts to improve wellness and combat metabolic diseases—particularly diabetes. Pending approval, the center will be named after Vardhan’s father.

“As one of the premier engineering colleges in the nation, we are committed to ingenuity and creating new pathways for a better future for all,” said Grainger College of Engineering dean Rashid Bashir. “Dr. Vardhan’s investment in cutting-edge research showcases what Grainger Engineers do exceptionally well—use their ingenuity to solve pressing problems and create a better future for all.”

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