Digital Health Asia 2025 Interview Series – Mathematics in medicine: Professor Krasimira Tsaneva Atanasova of the University of Exeter on revolutionising Digital Health
Professor Krasimira Tsaneva Atanasova, Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Impact at the University of Exeter, is a pioneering voice in digital health. She believes mathematics is no longer just a theoretical discipline; it has become a transformative force reshaping the future of healthcare.
Joining other leading global scholars, industry innovators and policymakers, she will discuss cutting-edge applications and future trends in digital health technology at Digital Health Asia 2025 (DHA 2025), which will take place from 8 to 10 September.
Hosted by City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and CityUHK’s Institute of Digital Medicine (IDM), in partnership with Times Higher Education (THE), DHA 2025 is a timely platform for tackling the urgent challenges facing the healthcare sector. This is the first time THE’s Digital Health series will be held in Asia.
Professor Tsaneva’s career exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. Her early fascination with mathematics led her to pursue a PhD focused on applying mathematical models to biological systems, followed by postdoctoral research alongside clinicians and experimentalists. This journey cemented her belief that mathematical modelling can unlock deep insights into biomedical processes and improve patient care.
In her previous role, she helped develop AI tools for the National Health Service (NHS) in Southwest England, working closely with clinical partners and health tech companies. Her mission has been to transform raw data into actionable insights. “Healthcare systems are increasingly relying on data,” she explains, “but data alone doesn’t always offer clarity. That’s where models come into play.”
Mathematical models act as a bridge between complex biological systems and clinical decision-making. They facilitate hypothesis testing, intervention simulation and personalised treatment planning, which is vital for patients with multiple co-existing conditions, a growing reality in ageing populations.
One promising innovation she and her team are exploring is a modelling framework that takes into account a patient’s medical history and clinical trajectory. The vision is to eventually empower doctors to make more informed, personalised decisions, moving beyond population-level data to individualised care.
Despite the potential of digital health, adoption remains a challenge. Professor Tsaneva points out that the rapid pace of AI development has outstripped regulatory frameworks and ethical safeguards. To build patient trust, education is essential, she says.
She outlines three key strategies for the successful integration of digital health: engaging clinicians and patients from the outset to ensure tools are practical and relevant; integrating mathematical and physical scientists into healthcare teams to foster innovation through hands-on collaboration; and creating dedicated translational hubs like those she leads at Exeter, which provide dedicated space for research, training and real-world applications.
“We are at a tipping point in digital health,” says Professor Tsaneva. “With vast datasets and powerful technologies at our fingertips, the focus must shift to integration and practical implementation.” She envisions digital health as a scalable, personalised solution to global challenges such as chronic disease, antimicrobial resistance and health inequality.
By embracing interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation, she believes we can fundamentally transform healthcare for the benefit of everyone.
Please visit the thematic website for more information about DHA 2025.
Media enquiries:
Poying Hung, Communications and Institutional Research Office, CityUHK (Tel: 3442 4218)