Student News
Louis Marx's Journey in Health Informatics
May 30, 2025
When passion meets purpose, the result is often transformative. For Louis Marx, that transformation began with a bold decision to step away from the traditional lab bench and into the evolving world of health informatics. He's a standout graduate student in GVSU's Health Informatics and Bioinformatics (HIB) program, whose journey is as inspiring as it is impactful. Louis is carving out a path defined by resilience, ethical leadership, and a deep commitment to inclusive innovation in healthcare.
With a background in biology, Louis made a thoughtful pivot to the HIB master's program. For him, it was a personal and professional decision shaped in part by his experience with autism and a desire to contribute to the medical field outside the traditional lab setting.
"I wanted to find a space where I could combine my interest in healthcare with technology," Louis shared. "This program gave me the flexibility to do meaningful work that doesn't require confinement to a lab bench."
Not only is Louis passionate about contributing to the medical field outside of a lab setting, but he's also passionate about the ethical implications of science and technology, which set the foundation for the Bioethics Club at GVSU that he founded. While organizing events and building engagement proved challenging due to the diverse schedules of graduate students, Louis remains committed to creating dialogue on the intersection of healthcare, data, and ethics.
Amidst the paradigm shift and technological advancements in the computing field, Louis is a staunch advocate for the ethical use of AI, particularly in academic settings. His warnings about the dangers of over-reliance on AI tools and his emphasis on transparency and accountability serve as a reassuring guide for the future of technology.
"We need to be thoughtful about how we integrate AI into education and research," he said. "Without clear guidelines, there's a real risk of misuse from misinformation to ethical breaches."
With the bioethics club, his primary goal is to collaborate with fellow students and the GVSU College of Computing fraternity to promote the ethical use of AI.
"There is an urge to come up with hazardous applications with a new technology instead of leaning towards solving a problem, and that bothers me. I hope the whole world realizes how helpful AI is and how best we can use it."
Navigating graduate school with autism has shaped Louis' experience in profound ways. He credits the Disability Support Resources team and professors, such as Dr. Suhila Sawesi and Professor Holli Reyes, for providing accommodations and compassionate support.
"Social interaction and networking can be tough," Louis admitted. "But it's important to speak up, seek help, and also remind others to be patient and understanding. Autism isn't a limitation; it's a different way of experiencing the world."
For his capstone project, Louis analyzed demographic and health data to identify patterns in chronic illness using machine learning techniques, such as logistic regression and random forest sampling. His goal? To uncover insights that can lead to better-targeted healthcare interventions — especially for underserved populations.
This work aligns closely with his internship at HealthWest, where he's applying similar methods to predict patient readmissions and optimize resource use.
"The rigorous HIB program stretched my thinking. I am glad it did. I can be in competitive spaces."
During the College of Computing's Innovation Day in April of 2025, Louis presented a machine learning project on medical vulnerability patterns, an experience he found valuable for networking. It reinforced the real-world relevance of his studies.
His coursework, which includes Python programming and HIPAA training, has prepared him for the complex and regulated world of healthcare data science.
Louis is a strong advocate for mental health awareness and open conversations around burnout and emotional support.
"We talk about data and technology all the time," he said, "but we don't talk enough about the human side — about stress, anxiety, or just needing help. I'd love to see the College create more space for that."
As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, Louis urges students and all other support staff to embrace inclusivity and create safe spaces for everyone. "During this month, I reflected on my struggles, and I am glad I did not shy away from any of them. I extend my empathy to students who are going through different challenges and even more to international students who are continents away from home."
As he wraps up his internship in August, Louis has learned not only technical skills but also valuable lessons in project planning and teamwork, crediting them to the College of Computing.
With graduation coming up this summer and practical experience secured, Louis is poised to make meaningful contributions to healthcare technology and data science. His vision for the future is one where the ethical use of AI and advanced data analytics leads to more targeted and effective healthcare interventions. His story is a reminder that resilience, purpose, and support can shape a truly impactful academic journey.
Written by Valentine Zablon, master's in Communications student.