AIM-AHEAD Data and Infrastructure Capacity Building (DICB) Program

Program Directors

Jamboor Vishwanatha, PhD; Toufeeq Syed, PhD

Purpose

The Data and Infrastructure Capacity Building (DICB) Program was established to develop workforce capacity and increase opportunities for underrepresented institutions to participate in the development and operations of AI and data infrastructure. The program uses a two-phased approach to develop institutional capacity in data and infrastructure and offers leading awardees to become partners with the AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center (A-CC) that will support and supplement the activities of the Data and Research Core (DRC) and the Infrastructure Core.

About AIM-AHEAD

Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity And Researcher Diversity (AIM-AHEAD) is an initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health that is dedicated to enhancing diversity in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), with emphasis on reducing health disparities and promoting health equity. Led by the AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center, this program has cultivated a diverse nationwide consortium that embraces equity and transparency, aimed at leveraging AI/ML to enhance health outcomes across diverse and under-resourced communities. Through the establishment of strategic partnerships, targeted research programs, and engagement with key stakeholders, AIM-AHEAD continues to bolster participation and foster meaningful involvement within the AI/ML and health equity field.

Participants

Cohort 1 (Phase I & II) awardees commit to one focus area for its institutional capacity building. Four focus areas were established to drive the program’s success and expected outcomes by addressing the consortium’s need for capacity building in under-resourced institutions. Those who applied to the program focused on (1) a Research Data Repository to Host AIM-AHEAD Generated Datasets, (2) a Resource Center for Data Curation, Linkages, and Harmonization Datasets, (3) a Resource Center for Data Access and Data Governance, or (4) a Resource Center to Provide Concierge Service to Support Open-source AI/ML Tools.

The program is conducted in a two-phased approach. In Phase I, seven awardees carried out the activities needed to prepare competitive Phase II applications, including demonstrating institutional capacity in data and infrastructure through needs assessment and development of partnerships and workforce capacity. Successful Phase I awardees were invited to submit a Phase II application to the AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center to implement their focus area, where they will work collaboratively with the other DICB funded projects.

Cohort 1 Phase I Awardees

  1. Ioannis Kakadiaris: University of Houston
  2. Dhireesha Kudithipudi: University of Texas San Antonio
  3. Sanjeev Kumar: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
  4. Abiodun Otolorin: Howard University
  5. Channapatna Prakash: Tuskegee University
  6. Alex Stokes: University of Hawaii
  7. Karl Walker: University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

Regional Distribution of Awardees - Cohort 1 (Phase I)

Cohort 1 Phase II Awardees

  1. Alex Stokes: University of Hawaii
  2. Amina Qutub: University of Texas at San Antonio

Regional Distribution of Awardees - Cohort 1 (Phase II)

Impact

By the end of the program, Cohort 1 awardees who have completed both program phases are expected to have enhanced workforce capabilities at underserved institutions to develop AI/ML models that address health disparities. Program graduates will participate in monthly meetings, submit regular reports, act as community ambassadors, and provide a final report detailing their achievements and outcomes that emerged from their projects.

In Phase II of the program, the four awardees are expected to contribute as AIM-AHEAD Consortium partners, integrating their activities with the other partners in the DRC and IC of the AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center. They will provide data and infrastructure concierge services/support, workforce development, and training for the future stakeholders of the AIM-AHEAD Consortium.

Additionally, as A-CC partners, they will strategize and establish best practices for data sharing, harmonization, and AI/ML infrastructure needs of AIM-AHEAD Consortium partners and trainees and integrate access to data, infrastructure, and training content for consortium stakeholders using the AIM-AHEAD Connect Platform.

Cohort 1 Phase I Outcomes

The infographic below provides a snapshot of key metrics from the AIM-AHEAD Data and Infrastructure Capacity Building (DICB) Program for Cohort 1 Phase 1, which comprised of 7 awardees. It highlights presentations, research focus areas, and overall program achievements.

DICB Cohort 1 Phase I Outcomes
DICB Cohort 1 Phase I Outcomes

Program Inquiries

All questions and inquiries regarding this program can be directed to the DICB HelpDesk. Please create a help ticket here: HelpDesk - Submit a Ticket

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