Program Overview
The completion of the Human Genome Project and advances in next-generation sequencing of disease genomes have kicked off a process of accrual of massive amounts of omics data linked with clinical information. Large-scale omics data on different human populations and other biological organisms is now routinely generated and is being leveraged in multiple biotech and healthcare industries with an impact on broad sectors of the national economy. In addition, recent advances in Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing medicine. With continued advances in genome sciences, information technology, molecular diagnostics, and other biotechnologies coupled with ML, AI, and other emerging technologies, biomedical research is shifting into a data science-driven endeavor. Additionally, healthcare is shifting towards a more “computational” paradigm of medicine. Achieving this vision requires training future leaders in bioinformatics, ML, AI, and other emerging technologies to transform large-scale omics data into knowledge to improve human health. In addition, major efforts in education and training the next generations of physician-scientists and other medical professionals in computational medicine and AI have become indispensable. This vision is at the core of this Bioinformatics and Computational Medicine (BCM) Training program. The BCM is a two-track interdisciplinary program focused on training future leaders in bioinformatics (MS Bioinformatics Track) and training the next generation of physician scientists in computational medicine (MD/MS Computational Medicine Track). In addition, the BCM is home to the Data Science Academy, a summer program that trains undergraduate and high school students interested in future career uptakes in bioinformatics and medicine.