Veteran enhances eye recognition technology, pursues PhD

Another grim reality for the artificial intelligence software engineer and former Army National Guard soldier is that he is working against time.

Fast, 38, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in March 2020. The neurological disorder results in progressive muscle weakness which, eventually leads to paralysis of the arms and legs.

In 2019, he began seeing a physical therapist for right hand aching and stiffness as he worked. Because his job requires a great deal of complex keyboarding and usage of his hands, he initially thought it was carpal tunnel syndrome.

After visiting Dr. Peter King, Birmingham VA Health Care System chief of Neurology, upon recommendation from his physical therapist, he received the ALS diagnosis.

A major concern of Fast is his ability to work as the disease progresses.

“I became interested in artificial intelligence and machinery at a very young age,” he said. “My work is my happy place. The majority of my day is spent using a computer and the thought of one day not being able to do it is devastating.”

Fast purchased a wearable electronic device which is used to monitor and record electrical activity of the brain with an eye tracker. The software is equipped with an on-screen keyboard. When his eye strolls across each key, it’s recognized as a keystroke, enabling him to type.

“The market software lacks the accuracy I need,” Fast said. “It also requires a lot of hand usage. Because I use the keyboard to write code, and have developed my own shortcuts, I need the better interaction between the computer and my eye movement.”

During his evenings and weekends, he works on ways to improve the eye recognition software with artificial intelligence. His goal is to develop more accurate software that would act as a brain-computer interface to better control the cursor on his screen without the use of his hands.

Fast often discusses with Dr. King his desire to develop the software and the progress he has made. In addition to VA care, King also serves as a professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“When [Dustin] mentioned the product he was developing, I was struck by his passion for work and innovation,” King said. “We worked together for several months but I quickly realized that this project was not my area of expertise, so I contacted Dr. Yuliang Zheng, UAB chair of Computer Science. We immediately started exploring options on ways to accelerate his project.”

Fast also mentioned a lifelong dream of his was to obtain a doctorate degree. From that conversation, the idea of graduate school began to evolve. King and Zheng reached out to other colleagues at UAB including Lori McMahon, dean of the UAB Graduate School, to discuss admission options for Fast.

The university recently initiated a neuroengineering graduate program. Its co-directors, Drs. Lynn Dobrunz and Gregg Janowski, felt that it lined up well with Fast’s goals and began facilitating his matriculation. He is set to begin in January 2021 and will become the third student to enroll in the program.

King said completing a doctorate with a focus on developing the eye recognition software makes perfect sense. Essentially, his thesis started with the work he accomplished on his own. His goal is to have a fully functioning software application.

“I intend for the development of this software to not only help me, but to serve humanity,” Fast said. “It will provide an alternative to people who may not be able to operate computers or devices the traditional way, allowing them to continue to lead productive lives.”

King and others at UAB are mentoring and helping Fast along the way.

“I foresee this technology providing a great deal of help to our Veterans, especially ones returning from combat.” King said. “Many have sustained trauma to their limbs from improvised explosive devices, which can result in upper and lower extremity amputations. This can truly improve their quality of life.”

Fast is a recent recipient of the UAB Blazer Way Award, designed to highlight members of the university’s community who exemplify honor & integrity, scholarship, service, innovation and diversity. The award will supply him with four paid semesters of tuition, along with a stipend.

“This experience so far has been both challenging and amazing,” Fast said. “I want to thank Dr. King, the VA and the UAB staff for not only their help in making my dream come true, but for possibly enhancing the lives of others for years to come.”