MBZUAI Opens Applications For First Master’s And Ph.D. Cohorts In Computational Biology

The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is now accepting applications for its inaugural master's and Ph.D. programs in computational biology. This development represents a significant expansion of the university's focus on research and education within the life sciences. The initiative aligns with MBZUAI’s commitment to applying artificial intelligence to new scientific domains.

MBZUAI's ongoing research includes pioneering projects like AIDO, the first multiscale foundation model for biology, and the Human Phenotype Project, which boasts one of the most comprehensive phenotype multi-omic datasets worldwide. These efforts are complemented by analyses of UAE initiatives such as the Emirati Genome Program, which aims to advance disease prediction, drug discovery, and personalised medicine.

Timothy Baldwin, Provost and Professor of Natural Language Processing at MBZUAI, stated, "The launch of our computational biology programs signals an important evolution in MBZUAI’s mission, applying the power of AI and computation to advance scientific discovery in the life sciences and healthcare. This is a natural next step for Abu Dhabi as it builds a globally competitive biotechnology sector rooted in data, innovation, and research excellence."

The new graduate cohorts will contribute to these initiatives by employing AI and computational methods to explore health and disease at molecular, clinical, and data-driven levels. This approach supports Abu Dhabi's ambition to establish a leading biotechnology sector grounded in data-driven innovation.

Eran Segal, Acting Dean of the School of Digital Public Health at MBZUAI, remarked on the program's potential: "What we’re building at MBZUAI has extraordinary potential to reimagine how we understand human health. The program brings together exceptional researchers from diverse scientific backgrounds – people with the technical depth and creative vision to approach human health in entirely new ways."

The Computational Biology program is integrated into MBZUAI’s School of Digital Public Health. It combines computational biology with precision medicine, genetics, epidemiology, and environmental health. This interdisciplinary collaboration aims to foster groundbreaking discoveries by uniting computational scientists, clinicians, and biologists.

MBZUAI's efforts are part of a broader vision to cultivate both local and international talent in computational biology. By doing so, it supports the UAE’s goal of establishing a diversified economy based on knowledge and becoming a global hub for scientific advancement.

With inputs from WAM