# iDISCOVER: Integrated Data Science Training in CardioVascular Medicine

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2022 · $334,271

## Abstract

Abstract: This new T32 proposal will support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows pursuing integrated
data science training in cardiovascular (CV) medicine at UCLA. Integrated data science training programs are
very limited in today’s CV biomedical community. Data science challenges facing CV medicine are in many ways
unique and have a long historic track record of information and data. CV diseases are chronic, heterogeneous
disorders that exhibit distinct temporal profiles combined with multi-organ alterations, necessitating novel
analysis platforms that integrate findings across expanded continuums of diverse information (e.g., text, imaging,
omics). The complexity and size of CV datasets have pushed computational approaches to their limits, thus
attenuating the rate for adding value in CV medicine. To this end, there is broad consensus that we must merge
data science with CV medicine. The creation of a next-generation workforce having more advanced
understanding of data science tactics for addressing real-world CV problems will ultimately realize precision CV
medicine. Our T32 fills a unique niche in CV data science that is currently missing, both at UCLA and nationally.
The UCLA Integrated Data Science Training in CV Medicine (iDISCOVER) Program draws upon faculty from
the UCLA Schools of Medicine and Engineering, to establish a program for trainees committed to intensive data
science applications in CV medicine. We have a substantiated track record in establishing training programs, as
evidenced by our NIH Big Data to Knowledge (BD2K) Initiative, Heart BD2K Center at UCLA. Experience has
enabled us to construct a T32 research program targeting the most pressing data science questions in CV
medicine. Our two-year program will accept qualified students who have completed 1st year PhD training from
Computer Science (CS), Bioinformatics (BI) or Bioengineering (BE); and eligible postdoc fellows from elite CV
programs. We will train predoctoral students during their second and third year of PhD training, and postdoctoral
fellows during their first and second year of their fellowship. Trainees will engage in advanced coursework within
the specific focus areas: (i) omics phenotyping-supported outcome studies; (ii) machine learning-supported
approaches in CV medicine; and (iii) information indexing and knowledgebase construction. Trainees will engage
in CV clinical rotations to give them exposure to pressing CV data science questions. Trainees will be guided by
a co-mentoring arrangement (1 CV mentor and 1 data science mentor). We have an outstanding group of 14
core faculty and 6 clinical supporting faculty members in the UCLA Schools of Medicine, Engineering and Life
Sciences. Our faculty have established, vibrant and well-funded research programs with strong histories of
guiding students to successful careers. Our program promotes the training of underrepresented minority groups,
as demonstrated by training records of all faculty. Our iDISCO...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10458658
- **Project number:** 5T32HL139450-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** ALEX BUI
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $334,271
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10458658

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10458658, iDISCOVER: Integrated Data Science Training in CardioVascular Medicine (5T32HL139450-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10458658. Licensed CC0.

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