Statistical Machine Learning in Biomedical Engineering

Abstract

This thesis, developed under a research personnel formation grant from the Universitat Politècnica de València, aims to propose and apply methodologies of Statistical Machine Learning in Biomedical Engineering contexts. This concept seeks to combine machine learning models with the classic understanding and interpretability of statistical reasoning, resulting in technological solutions for biomedical problems that go beyond solely optimizing the predictive performance of models. To achieve this, two main objectives have been outlined, which also structure the document: proposing novel methodologies within the umbrella of Statistical Machine Learning and applying solutions to real biomedical problems while keeping this philosophy in mind. These objectives have materialized into methodological contributions for simulating outliers and imputing missing data in the presence of outliers and applied contributions to real cases for improving healthcare processes, enhancing disease diagnosis and prognosis, and standardizing measurement procedures in biotechnological environments. These contributions are articulated in chapters corresponding to the aforementioned two main parts. Finally, the conclusions and future lines of research conclude the document, reiterating the main messages of the contributions and the overall doctoral thesis and laying the groundwork for future lines of inquiry stemming from the work conducted throughout the doctorate. ix Gracias, finalmente, a mis más antiguas amistades: mi familia. Gracias por la paciencia que habéis tenido conmigo en mis días mudos de deprimente atropello melancólico y en mis huidas hacia delante por la puerta de atrás. Incluyo en este grupo a Cristina, ya que con tu trabajo has puesto el mundo a mis pies cuando sentía que lo tenía totalmente encima. Papá y mamá, gracias por enseñarme a vivir volando libre. Y a Ángela, gracias por tu fe en mí; siempre has sido la luz de todos mis pozos. Ya solo me queda decir que espero que el trabajo esté a vuestra altura. Os quiero.