The Computational Image Analysis Platform (CIMAP) team for the Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP) at the University of Florida successfully conducted Spring Break Research Experience in both 2023 and 2024.
During this internship, interns join an interdisciplinary team and explore an artificial intelligence project that merges machine learning, computational pathology, cell biology, and health services research. Interns learn cell mapping techniques and apply their new skills to an individual research project. Interns also receive coaching and guidance on academic and professional skills development.
The curriculum includes didactic hands-on cell mapping activities using the CIMAP platform, academic enrichment sessions (on topics such as establishing a research focus, building a resume, and scientific communications), team science sessions (on topics such as managing team conflicts, using teaming tools, and conducting strategic team science), participation in daily briefings to provide feedback, and a session on creating effective abstracts and posters. The students write and submit an abstract to present their research project at the UF Undergraduate Research Spring Symposium.
CIMAP focuses on large-scale digital microscopy image data analysis and fusion of image and molecular-omics data that have significant impacts on human health. (See a demo of the tool)
HuBMAP focuses on mapping the trillions of cells of the human body at single-cell resolution using multi-omics microscopy imaging and image analysis. HuBMAP trainees have the opportunity to learn and apply cutting-edge machine learning tools to fuse high-dimensional, multi-omics data to help derive an atlas for healthy human reference. To learn more about this recently funded NIH project from the HuBMAP consortium, visit https://hubmapconsortium.org/.
2024 Spring Break Research Experience
The 2024 Spring Break Research Experience was held during March 11th-15th, 2024, and saw participation from 21 undergraduate students majoring in biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, and public health. These students engaged in a range of technology-focused activities throughout the remote internship.
At the end of the program, 19 of the 21 participants presented their findings in five posters at the University of Florida’s 2024 Undergraduate Spring Research Symposium. The experience provided valuable insights into cell imaging techniques and the intersection of policy and AI technology, enriching the participants’ academic and professional pursuits.
2023 Spring Break Research Experience
The Spring 2023 Experience took place during March 13th-17th, 2023, and was attended by one Leigh University student and one University of Florida student, majoring in computer science and health science, respectively. Sessions were taught by CMI Lab personnel.
