UTSA researchers receive NIH grant to expand biomedical data science education

JANUARY 23, 2025 — Researchers with the UTSA School of Data Science (SDS) and UTSA College of Sciences have been awarded a three-year, $474,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create and refine customizable cloud-based instructional materials for undergraduate and graduate students studying biomedical data science (BDS) and computational genomics and data science (CGDS).

Their project, titled “Expanding Genomic Data Science Access via Cloud Computing and Dynamic Learning Modules,” focuses on multidisciplinary fields that leverage the statistical analysis of large amounts of biomedical data, such as genome sequences, to advance biomedical research and further society’s understanding of biology at the molecular level. A genome refers to the complete set of genetic material in an organism, including all its DNA sequences.

According to the project’s principal investigator (PI) Jianhua Ruan, a professor of computer science with the UTSA College of Sciences and a SDS Core Faculty member, the goal of the project is to address the existing gaps in biomedical data science education.

“This initiative responds to the changing landscape of modern biomedical science, which frequently generates vast amounts of genomics and other ‘omics’ data, thanks to the rapid advancements in experimental technologies,” Ruan said. “Transforming this data into valuable products requires strong mathematical, statistical and computational skills which are often absent from traditional biology or computer science curricula.”

“This project provides UTSA students with a comprehensive educational framework in biomedical data science (and prepares) students for careers that increasingly demand sophisticated data science skills.”

Ruan, collaborating with his UTSA colleagues in the College of Sciences, is joined by multiple principal investigator (MPI) Yufeng Wang, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology, as well as Palden Lama, an associate professor of computer science, and Jeffrey Vedanayagam, assistant professor of neuroscience, development, and regenerative biology and a SDS Faculty Affiliate.

Together, the researchers aim to develop cloud-based instructional modules for students studying biomedical data science. These modules will be tailored to meet the needs of students from varying majors, whether it be biology or data science, allowing students to build upon their existing knowledge and work toward their individual career goals, while prioritizing experiential learning using real-world data. Furthermore, the use of cloud computing aims to expand the access to these tools by traditionally underrepresented student groups.

These tools include lecture slides and videos, hands-on practice problems and miniature research projects, all organized by theme and student background. To create these, the team is building upon existing cloud computing resources housed in the NIH and using real genomic datasets and state-of-the-art computational methodologies. To further refine the modules, the researchers plan on soliciting feedback from UTSA students and faculty in Summer 2025. Once this is completed, Wang says the team will begin releasing the modules to students and faculty at other institutions.

The program, Wang says, will significantly benefit UTSA students by bolstering their marketable skills and improving their job prospects.

“This project provides UTSA students with a comprehensive educational framework in biomedical data science and is designed to bridge existing gaps in education and prepare students for careers that increasingly demand sophisticated data science skills,” she said.

Additionally, Wang believes the program will help cement UTSA and its new College of AI, Cyber and Computing as forerunners in the biomedical data science field.

“The initiative will enhance UTSA’s reputation as a leader in interdisciplinary research and education, particularly in genomic science and biomedical data analytics,” she said. “This effort aligns with UTSA's strategic goals, supporting the recent merger with UT Health San Antonio to create a world-class university that excels in biomedical education.”

The team anticipates releasing and refining their course modules through Summer 2027. Those interested in learning more about the program or contributing to its development are encouraged to reach out to the principal investigators.

— Christopher Reichert