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Recap of the Bridge2AI 2026 All-Hands Meeting
The Bridge2AI 2026 All-Hands Meeting took place April 28–29, 2026, at the NIH Neuroscience Center in Rockville, Maryland, bringing together leading experts, researchers, trainees, and partners from across the biomedical and artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) community. This year’s theme, From Data to Wisdom, focused on how data-driven approaches can translate into meaningful insights that support real-world biomedical research and decision-making. The conference was led by Co-Chairs Mónica Muñoz Torres, PhD, of the University of Colorado Anschutz, and Yulia Levites Strekalova, PhD, of the University of Florida.
About AIM-AHEAD & Bridge2AI Training Collaborations
In 2024, the AIM-AHEAD Consortium, in collaboration with the NIH Bridge2AI program, launched two training programs designed to provide participants with hands-on experience applying artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) to large-scale biomedical datasets. Now in their second year, these programs integrate structured coursework, mentorship, and applied research, drawing on resources from both AIM-AHEAD and Bridge2AI. Through this approach, trainees build practical data analysis skills and conduct research using datasets and tools developed across both initiatives.
The AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI AI-READI Training Program (Bridge2AI AI-READI) provides participants with hands-on experience applying AI/ML to complex, multimodal datasets, including the AI-READI dataset. Trainees build practical data analysis skills while developing research projects at the intersection of AI/ML and biomedical and health-related challenges.
The AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI for Clinical Care Training Program (Bridge2AI for Clinical Care) prepares trainees to apply AI/ML methods to clinical care data through hands-on training, mentorship, and collaborative research. Participants work with the large-scale CHoRUS dataset, gaining experience in technical analysis and real-world application, with an emphasis on responsible data use.
Both programs emphasize applied learning, research development, and collaboration. These elements were reflected throughout the meeting as trainees presented their work, received feedback, and connected with others across the consortium.
Conference Highlights & Outcomes
Trainees from across the current AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI Training Programs were well represented throughout the meeting, with strong participation from both cohorts, including 27 trainees from the AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI for Clinical Care Training Program and 23 trainees from the AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI AI-READI Training Program. All participating trainees presented their work during dedicated program sessions facilitated by the AIM-AHEAD Communications Hub. In addition to trainee participation, the meeting was attended by two AIM-AHEAD NIH Program Officers and more than a dozen AIM-AHEAD personnel who supported program activities and coordination efforts.
Six distinguished alumni from prior AIM-AHEAD training programs, including All of Us (Cohort 2), ScHARe (Cohort 1), and NCATS (Cohort 2), were selected by program leadership to receive NIH travel support to attend the Bridge2AI 2026 All-Hands Meeting. As AIM-AHEAD Travel Fellows, they participated in research discussions, connected with peers and program leaders, and served as poster guides during the guided gallery walk alongside other AIM-AHEAD representatives.
Of the conference’s 472 registered participants, approximately 185 attended in person and 248 participated virtually, including more than 60 from AIM-AHEAD. These trainees contributed across sessions through presentations, discussions, and engagement with program leaders and NIH program officers.
AIM-AHEAD participants were recognized for their contributions throughout the meeting. Four AIM-AHEAD trainees received conference poster awards in recognition of their research presentations. In addition, eight AIM-AHEAD trainees – including four AIM-AHEAD Travel Fellows – received certificates of Science Communication Ambassadorship for serving as tour guides during the poster gallery session. AIM-AHEAD members also contributed to meeting activities behind the scenes, with five representatives from the AIM-AHEAD Data Science Training Core (DSTC) serving as poster judges during the meeting.
Day 1 of the conference opened on April 28 with a poster gallery walk, providing an informal setting for trainees to share their research and connect with peers across the consortium. This was followed by the AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI for Clinical Care Training Program: Trainee Presentation Session, moderated by Toufeeq A. Syed, PhD, Co-Director of the AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI training programs, during which 27 trainees presented five team-based and two individual research projects. The session provided an opportunity for trainees to receive feedback and discuss how their projects contribute to ongoing research efforts within AIM-AHEAD and Bridge2AI.
Throughout the first day, sessions combined structured presentations with interactive discussion. A fireside-style conversation featuring Bridge2AI and AIM-AHEAD leadership explored how the “Soul of Bridge2AI” will evolve from data to wisdom and included featured invited speaker Jamboor Vishwanatha, PhD, AIM-AHEAD Contact PI at the University of North Texas Health Science Center.
A key highlight of the conference was a lightning pitch session featuring early-career researchers. Trainees applied and were competitively selected to participate, with AIM-AHEAD strongly represented among the presenters. Of the 20 total presentations, six were delivered by Bridge2AI for Clinical Care trainees, five by Bridge2AI AI-READI trainees, and one by an AIM-AHEAD Travel Fellow. The presentations highlighted emerging research ideas and ongoing work across both training programs. Smaller group discussions, referred to as “Solution Corners,” provided opportunities to explore challenges related to implementation, scalability, and collaboration. The day concluded with interactive activities focused on identifying future directions and reflecting on shared experiences across the training programs.
Day 2 of the conference, held on April 29, focused on forward-looking discussions, including a session with NIH leadership and conversations about the next generation of Bridge2AI researchers. Another highlight was the AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI AI-READI Training Program: Trainee Presentation Session, which was also moderated by Toufeeq A. Syed, PhD. During the session, 23 Cohort 2 trainees presented their individual research projects. The session provided an opportunity for trainees to share their progress, receive feedback, and discuss their research with peers and program leadership. The two-day conference concluded with closing remarks recognizing trainee contributions and the collaborative work across the consortium.
AIM-AHEAD Acknowledgements
AIM-AHEAD’s participation at the meeting included leadership and staff from the AIM-AHEAD Communications Hub at UTHealth Houston, led by Toufeeq A. Syed, PhD, AIM-AHEAD MPI and Communications Hub Lead, and Co-Director of both AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI training programs (Bridge2AI AI-READI and Bridge2AI for Clinical Care). Communications Hub team members D’Laney Kernan (Program Manager), Deandra Maevry, M.Ed (Program Coordinator), and Sarah Popal, MS (Program Coordinator) supported on-site coordination, including trainee communications, session logistics, and program-related activities.
Additional AIM-AHEAD contributors in attendance included members of the AIM-AHEAD Data Science Training Core. From the MedStar Health Research Institute, Nawar Shara, PhD, Co-Director of the AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI for Clinical Care Training Program, along with Omar Aljawfi, PhD; Rose Yesha, PhD; Alexander Libin, PhD; and Prabhjeet Singh, BDS, MSPH, PMP, supported Clinical Care program activities during the meeting. From Johns Hopkins University, Gordon Gao, PhD, Co-Director of the AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI AI-READI Training Program, and Jennifer Bagdasarian, PhD, supported AI-READI program efforts.
Additional AIM-AHEAD leadership in attendance included Jamboor Vishwanatha, PhD, AIM-AHEAD Contact PI at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, and Damaris Javier, PhD, Co-Director of the AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI AI-READI Training Program.
Overall, the conference provided trainees with an opportunity to present their work, exchange ideas, and engage with the broader research community across both the AIM-AHEAD and Bridge2AI Consortia. AIM-AHEAD’s participation reflects its continued focus on advancing national AI/ML workforce development by supporting trainees as they build practical skills and contribute to the future of AI/ML research in biomedical science.
Related Links
AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI AI-READI Training Program
AIM-AHEAD Bridge2AI for Clinical Care Training Program
Bridge2AI 2026 All-Hands Meeting Website, Agenda & Virtual Poster Hall
AIM-AHEAD Research Spotlight Series: Showcasing Innovative Research Across the Consortium
Find out more about how AIM-AHEAD participants Martine De Dock (PhD) and John Valdovinos (PhD) are advancing healthcare through AI/ML-driven research.
Applications Now Open for the Vertical Interoperability Innovation Lab
The Vertical Interoperability Innovation Lab, a cross NIH activity hosted by Office of Data Science Strategy, National Cancer Institute, and National Library of Medicine, is now accepting applications for its Summer Workshop.