Dr. Anahita Kiani, the first Iranian woman to head the Women in Biomedical Engineering (WiBME) committee of IEEE EMBS, has earned significant recognition for her scientific and social contributions, making a notable impact on global biomedical engineering.
Announced as the new chair of WiBME on March 27, 2025, Dr. Kiani brings her expertise in artificial intelligence and life sciences to the role. She currently serves as Director of Neuroscience, Data Mining, and Digital Health at Johnson & Johnson, where she has advanced the use of AI and machine learning for neurological disease research. Her work has led to the development of digital health markers, better patient treatment selection, and improved clinical outcomes. She has also authored several influential papers and holds patents in medical technology.
Among her initiatives at IEEE EMBS is leveraging AI to enhance mentorship programs, improving the experience and career growth of members. Dr. Kiani’s first major presentation of this innovation will be at the IEEE Engineers Conference in Denmark this summer.
In addition to her scientific work, Dr. Kiani is also active in cultural and social endeavors, further contributing to her community. This information comes from her exclusive interview with Amordad media.
Academic and Professional Background
Dr. Kiani, originally from Kerman, is the first Iranian and Zoroastrian woman to secure second place in Iran’s graduate entrance exam, earning admission to Sharif University of Technology. She became the university’s first PhD graduate in Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry in 2005, specializing in AI applications in medicine.
After spending two years as a faculty member at Tarbiat Modares University and the University of Tehran, Dr. Kiani continued her research as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan. Her work on using AI for cancer diagnosis and treatment has been featured in top-tier scientific journals. Despite an offer to join Michigan’s faculty, she chose to enter the medical industry, applying her research to drug development and medical technologies.
Dr. Kiani made significant contributions at Abbott, where she played a pivotal role in developing brain chips for Parkinson’s treatment, securing more than 30 international patents. She later continued her work at Onward Medical in Switzerland, where her team earned FDA approval for their innovations. Her work has been published extensively, including in Nature.
Currently, Dr. Kiani leads a global team at Johnson & Johnson as the Director of Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence, advancing technologies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Social and Cultural Contributions
In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Kiani has been deeply engaged in cultural and social work. While in Iran, she was an active member of the Zoroastrian Students Association and participated in the Rainak and Yatahoo groups, which focused on preserving and promoting Zoroastrian culture while supporting the Zoroastrian community. After relocating, Dr. Kiani continued her involvement for over a decade with the Zoroastrian Association of Dallas, where she served as Vice President during the previous term. In the most recent term, she was unanimously chosen as the President of the Association by its members.
As the only Iranian woman on the board alongside the Parsi community, Dr. Kiani has played a pivotal role in maintaining Zoroastrian traditions and organizing religious ceremonies. She has prioritized creating innovative programs, establishing committees for different segments of the community—such as youth and seniors—and promoting the education of young generations about Zoroastrian culture and identity. Dr. Kiani firmly believes that strengthening the unity of Iranians and Parsis and building a vibrant, forward-thinking community can foster both cultural and scientific advancement for both groups.
Her efforts in organizing and managing the Zoroastrian community abroad highlight her commitment to enhancing cultural and social values. These social initiatives, along with her professional accomplishments, demonstrate the extensive contributions of this Iranian Zoroastrian woman.
