Lobster AI: Revolutionizing Medical Manuscript Writing through Artificial Intelligence
In July 2025, a group of senior students from Drexel University's College of Computing & Informatics (CCI) unveiled "Lobster AI," an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) tool designed to streamline the medical writing process, particularly for late-stage clinical trials. This groundbreaking project not only showcases the students' technical prowess but also highlights the potential of AI in transforming complex industries.
The Genesis of Lobster AI
Collaborative Effort with AOIC, LLC
The inception of Lobster AI was a collaborative endeavor between Drexel University and AOIC, LLC, a medical and scientific communications company. The students were tasked with developing an AI solution capable of drafting medical manuscripts, focusing on the method sections of phase three clinical trials. These sections, detailing research design, data collection, and analysis, are often extensive and time-consuming to write.
Addressing Real-World Challenges
Sarah Hummasti, AOIC’s Vice President of Scientific Strategy and Services, emphasized the need for such a tool: "For a manuscript, when you want to share it with the rest of the scientific and medical community, you need to condense that to something that provides all the key and important information." The challenge was to create an AI that could effectively condense complex trial protocols into concise, informative manuscripts.
The Development Process
Overcoming Data Confidentiality
Due to stringent security and confidentiality protocols, the team utilized publicly available data to train the AI. This approach ensured compliance with industry standards while still providing the AI with real-world data to learn from.
Training the AI
The students worked closely with AOIC representatives, including Hummasti, who provided examples of method sections and checklists. This collaboration allowed the AI to learn the nuances of medical writing, ensuring that the generated drafts met the high standards required in the medical field.
Achievements and Recognition
Senior Project Showcase
Lobster AI was presented at the CCI Senior Project Showcase, where it received significant recognition. The project was awarded second place in the team projects category, underscoring its impact and the students' dedication.
Industry Impact
Mark Altieri, Vice President of Finance and Technology at AOIC, praised the students' efforts: "It was an ambitious project that the students made a tremendous amount of effort on." He highlighted the team's technical expertise and dynamic collaboration, noting that each member brought valuable skills to the table.
The Future of Lobster AI
Continued Collaboration
Following the success of Lobster AI, AOIC has partnered with another group of Drexel seniors to further develop the tool. This ongoing collaboration aims to refine the AI's capabilities and expand its applications in the medical writing domain.
Broader Implications
The success of Lobster AI demonstrates the potential of AI to revolutionize industries by automating complex tasks. It serves as a model for future interdisciplinary collaborations between academia and industry, paving the way for innovative solutions to longstanding challenges.
About Drexel University's Senior Project Program
Overview
Drexel University's Senior Project Program is a multi-term capstone experience that involves in-depth study and application of computing and informatics. Students work in teams to develop significant products, often in collaboration with external stakeholders, providing real-world experience and practical skills.
Project Phases
The program encompasses several phases:
- Inception: Project ideas are elicited from industry, academia, and students themselves.
- Planning: Students develop plans after gathering requirements and building prototypes.
- Design: Requirements are converted into comprehensive designs at various levels of detail.
- Implementation: Designs are materialized into functional products through iterative processes.
- Testing: Formal testing is carried out using tools like unit-testing.
- Deployment: Final products are delivered to stakeholders for deployment.
For more information about the Senior Project Program, visit the CCI Senior Project website.
Conclusion
Lobster AI exemplifies the innovative spirit of Drexel University's students and their ability to apply academic knowledge to solve real-world problems. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the team has created a tool that not only enhances the efficiency of medical writing but also sets a precedent for future interdisciplinary collaborations aimed at addressing complex industry challenges.
