Advancing Together: Reflections on a Year of Progress and Impact in AIM-AHEAD
The third funding year of AIM-AHEAD, which concluded on July 31, 2025, saw significant growth and achievement across the Consortium. The AIM-AHEAD Leadership/Administrative Core, Data Science Training Core (DSTC), Data and Research Core (DRC), and Infrastructure Core advanced workforce development and the responsible use of AI and machine learning in health research nationwide. The University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), as the Primary Institute, continued to foster partnerships, while AIM-AHEAD’s operational offices provided coordination, guidance, and oversight to ensure programs ran smoothly.
A major highlight was the 2025 AIM-AHEAD Annual Meeting, held July 7 to 9 in Dallas, Texas. The meeting brought together 463 participants for two event-filled days focused on AI and ML in health research. Research from AIM-AHEAD programs was presented during two poster sessions, and panels, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities highlighted collaboration across the consortium.
During the third year, the various AIM-AHEAD hubs engaged stakeholders, strengthened local capacity, and promoted AI/ML applications in regional healthcare contexts. Training programs offered foundational and advanced instruction in AI/ML, cloud computing, data policy, and research methods, while the DRC facilitated access to critical datasets and the Infrastructure Core provided secure, scalable environments and analysis tools.
Altogether, the AIM-AHEAD Consortium completed nearly 1,055 milestone deliverables, supported more than 160 stakeholders, and grew the AIM-AHEAD Connect platform to over 7,800 members as of July 31, 2025, demonstrating the commitment and teamwork of all involved.
AIM-AHEAD Communications Hub
MPI: Toufeeq Syed, PhD
In Year 3, the AIM-AHEAD Communications Hub significantly enhanced engagement across the network by managing key platforms and outreach efforts. The team improved the AIM-AHEAD Connect platform with new functionalities, biweekly training webinars, and instructional design for over 60 courses, supporting AI/ML workforce development and health research goals. User participation on AIM-AHEAD Connect grew 94% (from 4,019 to over 7,800 total users), and the redesigned AIM-AHEAD.net website now features standardized program pages, dynamic data visualizations, and additional consortium resources.
The Communications Hub expanded community outreach efforts through weekly and monthly newsletters reaching over 7,800 subscribers, standardized promotional materials, and improved branding consistency across all communication channels. The team also updated and managed over 45 AIM-AHEAD Helpdesk categories. A standout achievement this year was the launch of the 2025 AIM-AHEAD Annual Meeting Program Book, an innovative, interactive resource that showcased conference activities and stakeholder research.
Dr. Syed and his team also provided program management and technical support for AIM-AHEAD programs, including PAIR, DICB, CLINAQ, and all AIHEC collaborations, in addition to four collaborative training programs (All of Us, NCATS, Bridge2AI AI-READI, and Bridge2AI Clinical Care). Support for awardee selection and onboarding, mentor-matching, training resources, and AIM-AHEAD Connect platform management ensured smooth operations and engagement for all participants.
AIM-AHEAD Central Hub
MPIs: Jamboor “JK” Vishwanatha, PhD; Harlan Jones, PhD; Usha Sambamoorthi, PhD
The AIM-AHEAD Central Hub provided guidance for project management, subaward administration, and consortium-wide coordination, supporting stakeholders from Hawai’i, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Monthly virtual meetings ensured project progress, regulatory compliance, and adoption of AI/ML tools.
The Central Hub hosted 11 workshops with over 130 participants, submitted two manuscripts to Nature Medicine, and initiated two additional publications. AI Navigators supported more than 170 stakeholders through workshops, Helpdesk requests, and office hours, offering guidance on datasets, tools, and self-paced training resources. Recent upgrades, including an integrated ticketing system and streamlined registration, improved access to services and monitoring of engagement.
The Central Hub also presented at the AIM-AHEAD Annual Meeting and IAPHS Conference and formalized a DUA with a local partner, advancing skills, research capacity, and engagement across Pacific Islander and U.S.-based networks.
AIM-AHEAD North/Midwest Hub
MPIs: Spero M. Manson, PhD; Evelinn A. Borrayo, PhD
The AIM-AHEAD North/Midwest Hub managed nearly 600 stakeholders from 300 organizations, including 374 participants and 76 funded projects. Bi-monthly meetings helped awardees navigate human subjects protections, data curation, and project adjustments.
A collaboration with the Duke Institute for Health Innovations produced a three-part, two-day workshop series for hands-on AI/ML skill development. The North/Midwest Hub also produced six digital stories with Noble Bison highlighting American Indian data scientists. These initiatives strengthened technical proficiency, connections, and stakeholder-led collaborations.
AIM-AHEAD Northeast Hub
MPI: Roland Thorpe, PhD
Supporting 18 awardees, the AIM-AHEAD Northeast Hub expanded connections with academic partners, health departments, and community organizations. Regular check-ins and newsletters addressed IRB delays, staffing challenges, and project needs.
Throughout the year, 13 engagement activities were hosted, including a virtual annual meeting and a two-day writing retreat. Awardees produced 12 grant applications, 17 publications, six peer-reviewed conference papers, 24 external presentations, and 11 AIM-AHEAD Annual Meeting presentations, demonstrating strong technical development and collaborative productivity.
AIM-AHEAD South Central Hub
MPIs: Bettina M. Beech, DrPH, MPH; Marino A. Bruce, PhD, MSRC, MDiv
The AIM-AHEAD South Central Hub engaged higher education institutions, public health departments, hospitals, data science companies, and community organizations in applying AI/ML. The Grant Accelerator Program guided 25 participants through structured virtual grant-writing sessions and one-on-one coaching to prepare proposals for upcoming funding.
Annual events included the Community-Oriented AI/ML Summit in Houston, which brought together 80 participants for panels on climate and health, AI/ML training, and cross-institution collaboration. Quarterly webinars, including poster sessions in partnership with the Northeast Hub, offered additional opportunities for awardees to showcase their work.
AIM-AHEAD Southeast-Meharry Hub
MPI: Anil Shanker, PhD
The AIM-AHEAD Southeast-Meharry Hub supported AI/ML training and project management, including engagement with 93 institutions, 141 organizations, 38 industry partners, and 1,438 healthcare organizations. Mentorship and collaboration were provided to 21 Research and Leadership Fellows, supporting 81 ongoing projects, including 36 funded initiatives, while AIM-AHEAD Connect remained active with 1,421 members.
Outreach activities included webinars, listening sessions, and in-person meetings. New initiatives, such as the QMusic study, explored AI-enabled music interventions for cognitive and motor impairments. Partnerships with local institutions strengthened AI/ML training and research, including joint cancer care projects and collaborations to advance AI literacy.
AIM-AHEAD Southeast-Morehouse Hub
MPI: Herman A. Taylor, Jr., PhD
The AIM-AHEAD Southeast-Morehouse Hub supported 19 awardees through workshops, mentorship, and opportunities for early-career researchers to apply AI/ML. Training included Community-Based System Dynamics workshops and participation in national conferences, helping awardees develop practical skills and exposure to AI/ML applications.
Awardees produced posters and publications for the AIM-AHEAD Annual Meeting, and interdisciplinary collaborations fostered innovative research. Outreach events engaged over 160 participants and strengthened regional partnerships with academic institutions, industry, and community organizations.
AIM-AHEAD West Hub
MPI: Alejandra Casillas, PhD
The AIM-AHEAD West Hub advanced community engagement and AI/ML capacity among researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders. Mentoring, concierge support, and monthly office hours guided awardees on applications, publications, and presentations, while community sessions covered kidney disease, perinatal depression, cardiovascular monitoring, and a three-part generative AI training series on skills, safety, and legal considerations.
Webinars, retreats, and symposia strengthened partnerships, showcased awardee projects, and expanded networks. The AI Youth Hackathon engaged high school students in translating AI/ML concepts into accessible messaging, and outreach in New Mexico identified potential partners for future collaborations. Partnering with UCLA CTSI, the West Hub planned community-centered events and surveys to assess AI adoption and support needs, with full implementation planned for the coming year.
Looking Ahead
As AIM-AHEAD enters the next phase of funding, the Consortium reflects with gratitude on recent achievements. Across all Regional Hubs and program teams, efforts will continue to support awardees, foster collaborations, and advance AI/ML training and research. Building on these successes, the coming year will focus on expanding partnerships, enhancing training opportunities, and promoting outreach to ensure AI/ML research continues to benefit the scientific community and the public.
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