The Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science (DBIDS) hosted their opening symposium at the Hilton Birmingham Hotel on the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

The introduction of the new department, formerly known as the Informatics Institute, officially recognized DBIDS as the 28th academic department of the Heersink School of Medicine at UAB. The symposium provided attendees the opportunity for attendees to learn about what the new department will entail, as well as how their research looks to contribute to further understanding of human health. 

Distinguished Professor of Medicine and DBIDS Chair James Cimino, M.D., spoke on the plans of the department as well as his visions for what DBIDS can grow into at UAB. Senior Vice President for Medicine and Dean and Professor of Medicine Anapum Agarwal, MD, was on hand to speak about his excitement for the new department, as well as his aspirations for the department's future. 

Chief Bioinformatics Officer of DBIDS Jake Chen, Ph.D., provided a presentation introducing the Systems Pharmacology Artificial Intelligence Research Center (SPARC), which aims to advance the use of artificial intelligence, patient digital twins, and systems pharmacology through research innovations and multi-disciplinary collaborations. 

Associate Director of Education Jin Chen, Ph.D., highlighted during his presentation the opportunities that the new department would be able to provide in growing the next generation of biomedical informaticians as well as data science researchers.

To watch a replay of the symposium, please be sure to click here, or click here to download the welcome slides from Dr. Cimino.