The newest group of doctoral candidates at the UF College of Medicine can now collaborate with some of the university’s preeminent researchers in artificial intelligence for a chance to become immersed in the growing field during their graduate studies.

The Emerging Research Scholars-AI PhD Program, which will introduce its first cohort of about 10 students this fall, is a new initiative being developed under the research pillar of the UF College of Medicine strategic plan created by Dean Colleen Koch, M.D., M.S., M.B.A.

Students in the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences who are interested in pursuing bioinformatics will be offered the opportunity to join the Emerging Research Scholars-AI PhD Program and receive additional support in the area of AI for the first two years of their studies from the Office of Research Affairs.

“One thing that makes this program so great is that it’s really tailored to the individual,” said Sara Burke, Ph.D., an associate professor of neuroscience and a member of the program’s advisory committee. “It’s going to boost collaborations between scientists in different fields and cover the full scope of AI.”

Lakesha Butler, Pharm.D., a professor of pharmacy practice and director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Southern Illinois University deeply trained in facilitating diversity-related discussion and policy change, has been named UF Health’s associate vice president for inclusion, diversity and health equity and chief diversity officer. She begins Aug. 22.

In her new role, Butler will collaborate with diversity liaisons in the six health colleges, the UF Health hospitals in Gainesville, Jacksonville and Central Florida, and the Lake Nona campus in Orlando. She will also work closely with the university’s chief diversity officer.

Collaboration is key to creating a supportive and successful scientific community, according to Jennifer Bizon, Ph.D., chair of the department of neuroscience. This philosophy has been at the heart of the department since its founding in 1970 and has only grown in the five decades since.

For 52 years, neuroscientists at UF have worked to identify mechanisms in the brain related normal and disordered function. Much of this research involves cross-disciplinary collaboration with clinicians and other UF departments, such as the department of neurology.

Advancing research is not the only passion for Bizon and other leaders in the department of neuroscience; educating the next generation and fostering an inclusive environment are also top of mind.

“It’s critical to help develop that next generation of neuroscientists who are just as committed to advancing the understanding of the brain,” Bizon said.