The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa was awarded a $486,000 National Institutes of Health grant to expand educational opportunities in computational genomics (the study of DNA of organisms) and data science for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and other underrepresented students.
Led by Youping Deng and Yiqiang Zhang from the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), the Pacific Computational Genomics and Data Sciences (CGDS) Research Education Program is the first of its kind in Hawaiʻi, and aims to develop a diverse pipeline of talent equipped with cutting-edge skills in genomics research.
Genomics research analyzes an organism’s DNA to understand gene functions, traits, and disease interactions using lab techniques and bioinformatics (computer algorithms) to identify genetic mutations linked to specific diseases. With the grant, the Pacific CGDS program will equip students with advanced genomics data skills, addressing critical health issues such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.
“At the heart of this initiative is the use of cloud computing technologies, including NIH-sponsored big-data ecosystems,” Deng said. “This technology will enable students to analyze large omics datasets, enhancing Hawaiʻi’s genomics research capabilities.”
By creating new educational pathways in CGDS, we open doors for our students and communities to engage with the future of medicine and science.
The program also emphasizes cultural values such as community and collaboration. “By creating new educational pathways in CGDS, we open doors for our students and communities to engage with the future of medicine and science,” said Zhang. “We are proud to bring these opportunities to Hawaiʻi, where the spirit of mālama—caring for one another—meets the frontiers of genomics and data science.”
JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker highlighted the program’s mission. “Who better to address the health issues affecting our diverse population than individuals from that very community?” He noted that training local talent through this program aligns with JABSOM’s vision of achieving lasting health for all in Hawaiʻi.
Gernot Presting from UH Mānoa’s Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering is also part of the program team. The Pacific CGDS Research Education Program is one of four partner sites of NIH-funded CGDS hubs. This effort complements another NIH-funded training program focused on AI and biomedical research, where Deng and Zhang also hold leadership roles.