The Department of Biomedical Informatics (DBMI) has been awarded a $300,000 investment to establish a “Creativity Hub” focusing on Artificial Intelligence for Health.
The project is one of four inaugural Creativity Hubs funded by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine and the Office of the UAMS Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, led by Shuk-Mei Ho, Ph.D.
Fred Prior, Ph.D., distinguished professor and chair of the department, is leading the Creativity Hub, which selected out of 23 applications from across campus.
“Artificial Intelligence is being embedded into almost everything we deal with – from TV sets to cars,” Dr. Prior said. “It has already made a major impact on biomedical research and is beginning to be felt in the clinic. UAMS needs to be prepared to wisely choose appropriate tools and to use them knowledgably. We need to pool our knowledge and expertise and grow resources and skills in this space. AI is a train that already left the station. We need to be on board and helping to select the next destinations.”
Click here for a Q&A with Dr. Prior about the project.
The initiative’s aim is to bring together interdisciplinary groups of researchers to develop and expand collaborative, thematic research programs with high potential. Each group will receive funding over the next 18 months as they work to expand interdisciplinary research, plan programmatic grant proposals, strengthen workforce diversity, and mentor junior faculty and trainees in specific areas of research strength.
The full list of Creativity Hubs and their leaders are:
- Artificial Intelligence for Health – Dr. Fred Prior
- Neurodegenerative Diseases – Dr. Steven Barger and Dr. Paul Drew
- Musculoskeletal Health & Disease – Dr. Teresita Bellido
- Lifespan Research to Improve Cardiovascular Health – Dr. Elisabet Borsheim
Click here to read more about the Creativity Hub initiative.