AI and machine learning have transformed science, enabling new discoveries and laying the groundwork for lifesaving treatments. Yet, as valuable as these tools may be for science and medicine, few if any formal degree programs exist at the intersection of biology and AI. For over 135 years, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) has been a hub for innovative research and education. In 1999, CSHL further solidified its reputation as a center for learning with the opening of the School of Biological Sciences (SBS). Now, the SBS is carving out a new frontier with the launch of its BioAI program.
“BioAI is the interface between biology and artificial intelligence,” says Professor and Program Co-Director Justin Kinney. “The field of biology is changing rapidly, and there’s a great need for researchers with deep training in quantitative areas. Many people who come out of more traditionally mathematical or computational fields are excited about using their skills to advance human health, agriculture, and the study of the brain.”
CSHL’s BioAI program is designed for students pursuing computational research who have attained a master’s degree or equivalent in a quantitative field, such as physics or mathematics. Ph.D. candidates are accepted directly into specific labs. This bypasses typical rotational periods, allowing students to immediately partner with CSHL faculty to pursue cutting-edge science upon acceptance.
“AI is reshaping the way we study the brain in health and disease,” says Professor and Co-Director Anthony Zador. “This Ph.D. program will train a new generation of scientists fluent in both biology and machine learning, equipping them to push the boundaries of discovery in ways we can barely imagine today.”
Their work will be aided by the completion of new neuroscience and AI laboratories included in CSHL’s Foundations for the Future expansion project. The new buildings, set to open by 2027, will house facilities for integrating AI and biology research, providing a central hub for catalyzing the exchange of ideas between these areas.
“The SBS first began training Ph.D. students in 1999 with the goal of fostering curiosity and innovation in graduate training through all that the unique CSHL environment has to offer,” says Director of Graduate Studies Zachary Lippman. “Now we are advancing with our BioAI Ph.D. training program, bringing artificial intelligence into the world of biology, offering students yet again a unique environment to pursue this new frontier.”
Written by: Nick Wurm, Communications Specialist | [email protected] | 516-367-5940