Samir Akre is an experienced software developer and bioinformatics researcher with a strong interest in the design of IoT devices and the application of data science techniques in healthcare. Prior to UCLA, Samir worked as a programmer in labs at the USC Keck School of Medicine and the Stanford School of Medicine.  Samir is currently pursuing a PhD in Medical Informatics at UCLA. As part of a collaboration between Apple and the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge, his work employs machine learning and wearable device data to improve behavioral predictions in depression mental health.  Samir holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering from UC Davis.