Blaž Zupan

Blaž Zupan is a Full Professor at the University of Ljubljana, also affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, teaching artificial intelligence and machine learning. He leads a fifteen-member bioinformatics laboratory and has authored over one hundred publications with more than ten thousand citations, reflecting significant impact in computational sciences.

His research centers on explainable AI, machine learning, and data visualization, with deep applications in bioinformatics. He pioneered the Orange data mining suite—a visual programming tool for accessible analytics—and bioinformatics platforms like dictyExpress for gene expression analysis and GenePath for genetic network discovery, emphasizing user-friendly interfaces and real-world usability.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a trajectory from foundational AI (e.g., concept hierarchies in 1999) to contemporary bioinformatics, with current work focusing on single-cell genomics, batch-effect correction, and democratizing AI through visual programming. His tools bridge computational methods and biological discovery, particularly in systems biology and genomics.

Zupan’s accolades include the Zois Award (2010), two University of Ljubljana Golden Plaques (2011, 2019), a Fulbright Scholarship (2013), and six student-voted Best Teacher Awards (2008–2017). He was named among the Top 100 Most Influential Innovators of Central and Eastern Europe (2016) by Res Publica, Financial Times, and Google.

He secures substantial research funding, currently leading projects like KATARINA (computer science education for all), DALI4US (data literacy for primary schools), DANIO-ReCODE (genomics of regeneration), and L2-60154 (explainable AI for gene expression). Past projects span AI systems (2009–2020), drug discovery, and systems biology, demonstrating sustained interdisciplinary impact.

As head of the Bioinformatics Laboratory, he fosters collaboration between computer science and biology, developing open-source tools that empower researchers globally. His consulting for industry and public organizations extends his influence into data-driven decision support and AI training.