João Abrantes

About Me

Radiologist | AI in Healthcare Educator | Speaker

Radiologist (MD) specializing in Breast Imaging with a professional mission to make medical diagnosis faster and more accurate. His work is centered on a thoughtful partnership between human expertise and artificial intelligence.

Backed by advanced training in data science and imaging informatics, he coordinates national working groups for Portugal's leading medical societies, translating complex research into practical, effective innovation in healthcare.

This website serves as a resource for clear, research-grounded insights into the real-world applications of AI in medicine. The content is designed to demystify complex topics through practical tips and analysis grounded in the latest research.

Professional Highlights

• Radiologist & Coordinator of the Imaging Department Breast Unit at Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (ULSTMAD)

• Master in Medicine (MD), ICBAS University of Porto

• Master of Science (MSc) in Data Science and AI, University of London

• European Diploma in Radiology, European Society of Radiology

• Mini-Fellowship in Imaging Informatics, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (Washington DC, USA)

• Coordinator of the AI Working Group, Portuguese Society of Senology

• Coordinator of the Imaging Informatics Section, Portuguese Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine

Research and Teaching

Dr. Abrantes is actively involved in research that explores the practical implementation and future potential of artificial intelligence in medical imaging. His work contributes to the global conversation on how technology can improve diagnostic accuracy and clinical workflows.

Teaching & Speaking

A firm believer in clear communication, Dr. Abrantes is a sought-after speaker on the future of radiology, frequently invited to share his insights on international stages, including RSNA, ECR, EUSOBI, and EUSOMII, as well as at major national congresses in Portugal for radiology, oncology and senology. In his talks, he focuses on demystifying artificial intelligence, translating complex concepts into practical, actionable knowledge for clinicians and researchers worldwide.

Committed to shaping the next generation of physicians as an invited lecturer at the NOVA Medical School. For the innovative 'Medicina 4.0' class, his primary goal is to foster a hybrid culture: creating future doctors who are fluent in both medicine and technology, without ever losing focus on the human connection with the patient. His teaching philosophy is grounded in real-world case studies and hands-on examples, preparing students to confidently navigate a future where healthcare is deeply integrated with technology.

Beyond the conference hall and university, Dr. Abrantes actively builds community through groundbreaking educational initiatives. He leads hands-on workshops on AI in Radiology for the Portuguese Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (SPRMN), creating a unique environment where doctors code alongside experts to demystify new technologies. His ultimate goal is to foster greater collaboration and elevate the standard of technological education within the medical community, ensuring innovation serves both physicians and their patients.

Research & Publications

His full academic profile and list of publications can be viewed on his ORCID profile:

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3803-4954

Selected Publications:

• Assessing Large Language Models for Medical Question Answering in Portuguese: Open-Source Versus Closed-Source Approaches 10.7759/cureus.84165

• Explaining explainability: The role of XAI in medical imaging 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111389

• Assertiveness-based Agent Communication for a Personalized Medicine on Medical Imaging Diagnosis 10.1145/3544548.3580682

Get in Touch

Contact Dr. João Abrantes for inquiries about radiology and AI expertise.