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In the season one finale of the Gateway to Informatics podcast, Dr. Philip Payne, Chief Data Scientist and Director of the Institute for Informatics, Data Science, and Biostatistics (I2DB) at Washington University in St. Louis, engages in an illuminating conversation with Dr. Sandro Galea, the inaugural Margaret C Ryan Dean of the newly established Washington […]
Discover how WashU Medicine is pushing the boundaries of health care innovation through a series of dynamic events in London. From groundbreaking digital health workshops to insightful discussions on AI’s role in biomedicine, and strategic global partnerships, this article reveals the latest efforts in transforming the future of health care. Read more about these exciting developments.
Recently, I2DB students Levi Kaster, Nicholas Hadas, Guntaas Shergill and Isaac Kyeremateng competed in the Creating AI-Enabled All-Health Team Data Fabric (CAIDF) Hackathon, hosted at the University of Illinois Chicago and supported by University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Iowa, Loyola University Chicago, TackleAI, and Microsoft. Their presentation, “Predicting 30-day Fall Readmission Through LLM-Enhanced Predictive Modeling,” was named the top project in predictive analytics and will receive a $5,000 prize. In just over […]
I2DB student poster places third In collaboration with 12 institutions across North America, WashU Medicine I2DB recently convened the Voice AI Symposium and Hackathon from April 22–24 in Tampa, Fla. Voice as a Biomarker of Health is one of four data-generation projects in the National Institute for Health’s Bridge2AI Voice consortium, a transformative initiative to […]
A new paper published by I2DB faculty and students in the Journal of General Internal Medicine looks at associations between clinicians’ secure messaging use and workload. Congratulations to Dr. Daphne Lew, first author, and Dr. Sunny Lou, senior author, along with co-authors, Dr. Thomas Kannampallil, and doctoral students Laura Baratta and Linn Xia on this […]
A team at WashU, led by Dr. Chenyang Lu, has developed cutting-edge AI models to predict postoperative complications using surgical notes. Dr. Joanna Abraham, associate professor of anesthesiology, emphasized the importance of early risk identification, stating that this versatile model could enable clinicians to proactively tailor interventions to improve patient outcomes. Read the full story […]
The I2DB Scientific Symposium on February 12th, 2025, was a remarkable event that drew a diverse array of attendees and featured an impressive list of speakers and programming. The symposium saw robust participation from the scientific community, attracting experts, researchers, and students from various institutions and disciplines. The event kicked off with our lightning talk […]
Congratulations to Dr. Daphne Lew, Assistant Professor of Biostatistics, along with Dr. Alfred Kim, an Associate Professor in WashU Medicine’s Division of Rheumatology for being co-senior authors on an exciting publication in ACR Open Rheumatology on patient-reported social risk factor (SRF) screening among rheumatology outpatients. The researchers aimed to determine the feasibility of implementing routine […]
On March 1, 2025, Dr. Joanna Abraham became director of I2DB’s Center for Applied Health Informatics (CAHI). She brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to using informatics in clinical care and population health. An associate professor with WashU Medicine Anesthesiology dually appointed with I2DB, she holds a Doctorate in Information Sciences and […]
We are excited to share this opportunity to host an intern from our esteemed graduate programs at the Institute for Informatics, Data Science, and Biostatistics. Our programs include the Master of Science in Biostatistics (MSIBS), Master of Science in Biostatistics and Data Science (MSBDS), and Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics (MSBMI). These programs aim to nurture critical thinkers and skilled […]
Dr. Albert Lai, along with co-leaders Dr. Randall Bateman, and Dr. Yixin Chen, has been awarded a Transcend Initiative Grant under the Digital Transformation focus area of WashU’s Here and Next Seed Grant Program. Their project titled, “AI Assistant for Biomedical Research” aims to leverage artificial intelligence to advance biomedical research at WashU and beyond. […]
The field of health care is on the brink of transformation with the intelligent integration of artificial intelligence (AI). We are proud to announce that Dr. Philip Payne, alongside a distinguished team of colleagues, has co-authored the groundbreaking article “Artificial Intelligence in Health and Health Care: Priorities for Action.” This significant work has been published […]
Welcome back to Gateway to Informatics, where we share the latest in informatics, research, and healthcare. In this fourth episode, hosted by Dr. Philip Payne, Chief Data Scientist at WashU Medicine and Director of I2DB, we explore how data and AI can enhance personalized risk assessments while preserving the essential human connection in healthcare. The […]
The Department of Neurology and the Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB) are pleased to welcome a new joint faculty member, Laura Wiley, PhD, FAMIA, who is serving as an associate professor as of Jan. 1. She will also serve as the Director of Clinical Data Science in the Office of the Chief […]
Congratulations to our December recognition graduates. Your hard work and perseverance have brought you to this moment. The Institute for Informatics, Data Science, and Biostatistics (I2DB) had 17 graduates from the Master of Science programs in Biomedical Informatics, Biostatistics, and Biostatistics and Data Science. We’re proud to celebrate you and your achievements! Relive Friday, Dec. […]
In this episode, Dr. Ting Wang shares his journey, inspired by the Human Genome Project and key mentors, and provides valuable advice for aspiring scientists. He explains the distinctions between genetics, genomics, computational biology, and bioinformatics, and discusses his pioneering research on genetic and epigenetic variations.
The Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB) spent the week in New Delhi, India, hosting a leadership workshop and alumni reception, as well as speaking at the THE Innovation and Impact Summit. The visit strengthened I2DB’s networking and partnerships in India. Digital Health Leadership Resource Library and Workshop The Digital Health Leadership Workshop […]
A new paper in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA), led by Philip R. O. Payne, PhD, addresses the need for a unified framework to guide the ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health and healthcare. Dr. Payne collaborated with experts Kevin B. Johnson, MD, MS, Thomas M. Maddox, […]
On Nov. 8, the Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), in collaboration with alumni and University Advancement, co-hosted an engaging event at Hotel Nikko San Francisco for WashU Medicine alumni and friends. The evening began with a reception where guests enjoyed complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks while reconnecting and networking. The event’s highlight […]
The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) hosted its 2024 annual symposium from Nov. 9 to 13 in San Francisco, gathering professionals, academics, and industry leaders to discuss advancements in biomedical and health informatics. The event featured keynotes, panel discussions, and workshops on cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and big data integration in healthcare. The Institute […]
Jing Wang, PhD, professor of biostatistics, has been appointed the director of the Biostatistics Consulting Service at the Institute for Informatics, Data Science, and Biostatistics (I²DB). As director, Dr. Wang will lead the Biostatistics Consulting Service, which provides biostatistical consultation across a wide range of areas. These include the statistical design of experiments and clinical […]
For patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), monitoring the risk of progressing to AD over time is crucial. Recent research published in JAMIA Open has introduced a state-of-the-art deep learning framework named HiMAL (Hierarchical Multi-task Auxiliary Learning) that addresses this need. The study, led by Sayantan Kumar, PhD […]
Dementia affects individuals differently, causing a variety of symptoms that progress at varying rates, which makes uniform treatment challenging. Recent research published in PLOS One, led by PhD candidate Sayantan Kumar and Philip Payne, PhD, along with Inez Oh, PhD, Suzanne Schindler, MD, PhD, Nupur Ghoshal, MD, PhD, and Zachary Abrams, PhD, utilized a novel […]
In Episode 2, Dr. Payne sits down with Dr. Albert M. Lai, the Chief Research Information Officer at WashU Medicine. Dr. Lai’s compelling background sets the stage for a riveting discussion. Originally pursuing computer science, Dr. Lai found his true calling in the field of informatics, leading to a distinguished career marked by impactful projects and significant contributions to healthcare technology.
Washington University School of Medicine and BJC Health System have launched the joint Center for Health AI. The center aims to harness cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) to fundamentally change the way health care is provided. It will focus on making care more personalized and effective for patients, and more efficient and manageable for health care professionals.
We are delighted to announce that Linying Zhang, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biostatistics, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) Titan Award for Methodological Research. This award recognizes her exceptional contributions to advancing analytical methods in clinical characterization, population-level effect estimation, and patient-level prediction. Congratulations, Dr. Zhang!
On Thursday and Friday, Nov.7-8, the OHIDS leadership team and external advisory board met in San Francisco ahead of the AMIA annual symposium. The discussions and ideas these meetings generate are instrumental in shaping the future direction of OHIDS initiatives.
Lei Liu, PhD, professor of biostatistics and data science, has been appointed as the deputy director of faculty affairs at the Institute for Informatics, Data Science, and Biostatistics (I2DB). Congratulations, Dr. Liu!
Charles Goss, PhD, assistant professor of biostatistics, has been appointed as the director of the newly established Center for Biostatistics and Data Science (CBDS) at the Institute for Informatics, Data Science, and Biostatistics (I2DB). Congratulations, Dr. Goss!
We are excited to announce the release of the first episode of the new “Gateway to Informatics” podcast! The inaugural episode features Dr. Atul Butte, a distinguished leader at the intersection of informatics and digital health. He shares his unique perspective on the evolving landscape of health technology and advice for current students.
We are pleased to introduce “Gateway to Informatics,” a new podcast hosted by Dr. Philip Payne, Chief Data Scientist at WashU Medicine and Director of the Institute for Informatics, Data Science, and Biostatistics (I2DB). This podcast explores the forefront of informatics, research, and healthcare through engaging conversations with leading experts. New episodes are released on the third Friday of every month.
Washington University in St. Louis hosted an exclusive salon event on Sept. 26 at the Middle Eight Hotel in Covent Garden, London. The gathering aimed to connect alumni and showcase the university’s responsible and secure advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). The event followed a significant visit to the U.K. by WashU’s Institute for Informatics, Data […]
Congratulations to principal investigator Joanna Abraham, PhD, and her team for their publication, “Improving Safety in Postoperative Handoff Communication with Telemedicine and Machine Learning,” in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Digital Healthcare Research Program 2023 Year in Review.
Charles Goss, PhD, and J. Philip Miller, both faculty members in the Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), head the data management cores for the ReVAMPP flavivirus and alphavirus program and the ReVAMPP paramyxovirus, peribunyavirus and phlebovirus program, respectively.
Congratulations to biostatistics student Trevor Zimmerman for presenting his research at the prestigious 70th annual Radiation Research Society conference, held in Tucson, Arizona, from Sept. 15-18. His selection as a master’s student is particularly impressive given the event’s lineup of top scientists. Zimmerman’s abstract stood out among many submissions, earning him the rare opportunity to […]
In an opinion published recently in Annals of Internal Medicine, I2DB Director Dr. Philip Payne and co-authors outlined timely AI considerations for health systems, recommending robust structural foundations and clinician engagement, as well as strategic outcome measurement to improve care quality, mitigate AI-related risks, and address social equity. They emphasized that AI should be viewed […]
In a recent article published by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, WashU researchers found that humans change their behavior when training AI, often acting more ethically even at their own expense. This behavioral change can create lasting habits and influence future AI interactions. I2DB Director Dr. Philip R.O. Payne emphasized the need to understand and mitigate […]
Celebrating the end of a fantastic internship! Our BIDS@I2DB interns concluded their 11-week program with an impressive poster session on Wednesday, July 31. The BIDS@I2DB program offers internships for undergraduate and graduate students to explore biomedical informatics. Under faculty mentors, interns engaged in cutting-edge research, training, and collaboration. They: Congratulations to our talented interns for […]
Recent research by first author Seunghwan (Nigel) Kim, MS, BIDS PhD student, and supporting authors Benjamin Warner, MS, Daphne Lew, PhD, MPH, Sunny Lou, MD, PhD, and Thomas Kannampallil, PhD, introduces “action entropy” as a measure to assess cognitive effort in electronic health record (EHR) tasks. By analyzing EHR audit logs, neural language models were used to […]
Congratulations to Linying Zhang, PhD, who received the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) 2024 Edward H. Shortliffe Doctoral Dissertation Award Honorable Mention (second place) for her doctoral dissertation titled “Causal machine earning for reliable real-world evidence generation in healthcare.” She will give a semi-plenary talk on her dissertation work at the 2024 AMIA Annual Symposium on Monday, Nov. […]
Congratulations to coauthor Dr. Ling Chen and her team for their publication in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, where they found that even minor cognitive changes can influence older adults’ decision to cease driving. Their research highlights the importance of routine cognitive testing to detect early and subtle decline, enabling older […]
Congratulations to WashU’s Sunny Lou, MD, PhD, and co-authors Daphne Lew, PhD, PMH, Laura Baratta, BS, Elise Eiden, MS, and Thomas Kannampallil, PhD, in collaboration with Christine Sinsky, MD, from the American Medical Association, on their recent publication in JAMA Network Open. The study explores the association between secure messaging and telephone use in clinician-to-clinician communication, highlighting the […]
Earlier this month, Washington University School of Medicine and BJC HealthCare became the newest members of the Health AI Partnership (HAIP), a multi-stakeholder collaborative of more than 20 organizations and growing that seeks to create safe spaces for peer learning and collaboration to address the most challenging issues health care leaders face while implementing AI. The HAIP […]
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is launching a Center for Translational Bioinformatics, an innovative joint effort of the university’s McDonnell Genome Institute and the Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics. The center will bring together experts from diverse fields to accelerate precision medicine research and improve patient care by integrating comprehensive patient data and […]
Four winners have been selected for the 2024-2025 Big Ideas Competition award! Each of these remarkable teams will be awarded a grant of $50,000 in research funds for their outstanding projects. Among the winning teams is Dr. Jing Li from the Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB). (PI / project lead in bold): […]
WashU researchers have combined artificial intelligence and mobile health data to better predict patients’ recovery from lumbar spine surgery. The techniques were developed at the university’s AI for Health Institute.
Sunny Lin, PhD, MS, an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of General Medical Sciences and I2DB, served as a guest editor for the American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC)’s issue titled “The Health Information Technology Special Issue: Making Innovations Impactful, Ethical, and Equitable.” In her letter as guest editor, she delves into the […]
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has received a five-year, $7.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support a radiation oncology center that is part of a select national network of centers aimed at understanding the biologic effects of radiation therapy in cancer treatment. Washington University’s new center — […]
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has been named one of nine core sites in the Pediatric Heart Network, a national network of leading hospitals and research institutions that works toward improving outcomes and quality of life for children with heart disease. The Pediatric Heart Network (PHN) is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and […]
Congratulations to Dr. Aristeidis Sotiras and Tom Earnest, PhD student in the Division of Computational and Data Sciences, for their recent publication in Alzheimer’s and Dementia! Read about their research on analyzing tau pathology patterns in brain scans to gauge Alzheimer’s disease severity.