AI Retreat

Tuesday, June 9, 2026
8:30 AM – 5:10 PM
Eric P. Newman Education Center (EPNEC) – Main Auditorium

Join us for the AI Symposium produced by the Mechanisms of Cancer Biology (MCBP) and Tumor Immunology (TIP) Research Programs at Siteman

Speakers

Minji Kim

Minji Kim, PhD *New Speaker Added*

Assistant Professor of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics Medical School
University of Michigan

Talk Title: Understanding 3D Genome Organization with AI

 

 

Jeremy Goecks, PhD

Jeremy Goecks, PhD

Assistant Center Director, Research Informatics
Senior Member (Full Professor), Department of Machine Learning
Senior Member (Full Professor), Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
Moffit Cancer Center

Talk Title: Using the Galaxy Computational Workbench and Artificial Intelligence to accelerate Cancer Research

 

 

 

Yu Shyr, PhD, Dr(hc), FASA, FAAAS, FAACR

Yu Shyr, PhD, Dr(hc), FASA, FAAAS, FAACR

Chair, Professor
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Talk Title: From Discovery to Decision: Rethinking Cancer Research Study Design in the Era of AI

 

 

 

 

David Van Valen, PhD, MD

David Van Valen, SB Mathematics, SB Physics, PhD, MD

Assistant Professor, Biology and Bioengineering
Caltech

Talk Title: Understanding cellular perception through AI-enabled measurements

 

 

 

Etai Jacob, PhD

 

Etai Jacob, PhD

Head of Applied Data Science and AI, Oncology R&D
AstraZeneca

Talk Title: From Foundation to Mechanistic Models

 

 

Maxim Artyomov, PhD

Maxim Artyomov, PhD

Alumni Endowed Professor, Pathology and Immunology
Washington University in St. Louis

Talk Title: Determinants of Healthy and Unhealth Human Aging from Large Omics Data Integration

 

 

 

Charles Alba

Charles Alba

PhD Student, Computational and Data Sciences
Washington University in St. Louis

Talk Title: Introduction to AI Without the Jargon: Machine Learning, Generative AI, and Biomedical Discovery

 

 

 

Abstract Submissions

Submit your abstract by Wednesday, June 3rd by emailing [email protected].

The Great AI-Basic Cancer Research Shark Tank

Do you have a cancer research question you are convinced AI could help answer, but you are not sure which AI approach to use or which expert to collaborate with?

If you are competitive, enjoy creative thinking, and want an opportunity to launch a new project, we challenge you to prepare a 5-minute pitch for presentation at the AI retreat. (Note: presenters will be buzzed off the stage at 5 minutes, so plan carefully!)

Four proposals will be chosen to be pitched in person at the retreat where a panel of AI experts will evaluate each proposal and may ask one or two clarifying questions. The panel of experts will identify an appropriate AI collaborator/expert (person pitching the idea does not have to find the collaborator) if project is chosen.

Projects will be judged based on:

  • the significance and feasibility of the research question,
  • availability and quality of the existing data,
  • whether sufficient data are available to support the proposed approach, and
  • the feasibility of any additional data collection required.

Information / Guidelines:

  • Abstracts must be submitted by June 3rd to [email protected]. 
  • Eligibility: All are encouraged to apply. Priority may be given to those in MCBP, TIP, or trainees in either program.

Award Information:

The winning proposal, if selected for advancement, will receive pilot funding to help launch the project. Current plans are to provide approximately $25,000, with the potential for increased support for projects developed in collaboration with the AI Health Institute. Funds will be shared between the research and AI collaborators.

Agenda

8:15 Check-In

* Coffee & Pastries Available
8:30 Welcome
8:35-8:45 The Great Debate — Weber Versus the Machine!!!
8:45-8:55 Chenyang Lu, PhD 

Overview of AI for Health Institute
8:55-9:25 Charles Alba, PhD Candidate 

“Introduction to AI Without the Jargon: Machine Learning, Generative AI, and Biomedical Discovery”
9:25-9:55 Jeremy Goecks, PhD 

“Using the Galaxy Computational Workbench and Artificial Intelligence to accelerate Cancer Research”
9:55-10:25 Yu Shyr, PhD, Dr(hc), FASA, FAAAS, FAACR

“From Discovery to Decision: Rethinking Cancer Research Study Design in the Era of AI”
10:25-10:45 Coffee Break
10:45-11:15 David Van Valen, SB Mathematics, SB Physics, PhD, MD

“Understanding cellular perception with AI-enabled measurements”
11:15-11:45 Etai Jacob, PhD

“From Foundation to Mechanistic Models”
11:45-12:15 Maxim Artyomov, PhD

“Determinants of healthy and unhealthy human aging from large scale omics data integration”
12:15-12:45 Minji Kim, PhD

“Understanding 3D Genome Organization with AI”
12:45-1:45
Lunch
1:45-2:55 Breakout sessions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Auditorium – Session 1:
“Using the Galaxy Workbench for an AI Analysis of Text and Imaging Data” led by Jeremy Goecks, PhD

Room 308/310 – Session 2:
“From AI Discovery to Clinical Evidence: Biomarkers, Drug Design, and Smarter Cancer Study Design” led by Yu Shyr, PhD, Dr(hc), FASA, FAAAS, FAACR

Room 303 – Session 3:
“Lab-in-the-loop systems” led by David Van Valen, PhD, MD

Room 307 – Session 4:
“Leveraging AI to Maximize the Value of Every Patient’s Data Across Early Clinical Development” led by Etai Jacob, PhD

Room 305 – Session 5:
“New opportunities and challenges in spatial profiling at single cell resolution – transcriptomics, proteomics and beyond” led by Maxim Artyomov, PhD

Room 301 – Session 6:
“Understanding AI for Biomedical Researchers: How It Works, What It Can Do, and What It Needs From Data” led by Charles Alba, PhD Candidate
2:55-3:05 Transit to Second Breakout Session
3:05-4:15 Breakout sessions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
*Same locations as above
4:15-4:25 Transit to Shark Tank
4:25-5:00 Shark Tank Presentations

Chufan Xiao, PhD Student

Wenxuan Xue, PhD Student

Uttkarsh Chaurasia, PhD Student
5:00-5:05 Shark Tank Winners
5:10 Conclude

Contact Us

Contact [email protected] with any questions.