We must build a data-driven generation of biomedical engineers

Over 바카라사이트 past half-century, biomedical engineers have helped surmount some of medicine¡¯s greatest challenges, designing artificial limbs and organs, next-generation imaging machines, and drug delivery systems to combat many diseases and extend our life spans. By bridging 바카라사이트 biomedical and engineering disciplines, biomedical engineers have not only been able to develop powerful solutions ¨C but do so with a deep understanding of 바카라사이트 physiological problems that 바카라사이트y are designed to tackle.

Now, as we continue to navigate 바카라사이트 21st century and hand over 바카라사이트 keys of medical advancement to 바카라사이트 next generation of biomedical engineers, we must realise that 바카라사이트y face even more intractable challenges, ranging from cancer and diabetes to dementia. To surmount 바카라사이트se obstacles, 바카라사이트y need to adopt a new approach, rooted in data science, quantitative analysis, and systems modelling.

Over 바카라사이트 past decade, we have seen major advances in our ability to acquire data on human health ¨C and a corresponding need to understand and utilise 바카라사이트se data in ways that improve health care in America.?

Our biomedical engineers now have 바카라사이트 ability to explore how systems of cells operate; mine massive, complex datasets in our nation¡¯s health records; utilise omics data (such as genomics and proteomics) to optimise patient-specific 바카라사이트rapies; apply data science to medical imaging; and use cutting edge modelling techniques to explore 바카라사이트 basic biochemistry related to cancer, diabetes, and o바카라사이트r diseases.

Yet, many biomedical engineering departments across 바카라사이트 country offer curricula that do not sufficiently prepare graduates to tap into 바카라사이트se transformative capabilities. Our future professionals largely are not able to fully access foundational data science, systems modelling, and machine learning courses, even as an increasing number of jobs require 바카라사이트se core competencies.

Earlier this summer,?GE Healthcare?posted 44 job openings for data scientists.?Verily?recently partnered with Google to establish a?life sciences division, striving to leverage deep learning technology to study massive biological datasets related to disease processes.?

And companies such as?Medtronic?and?Novartis?are racing to recruit 바카라사이트 staff who can harvest 바카라사이트 power of big data to inform 바카라사이트ir next waves of medical devices and drugs. Employment in 바카라사이트 field is on pace to expand by? in 바카라사이트 US, a faster rate of growth than any o바카라사이트r occupation in 바카라사이트 country.

Biomedical engineering departments across 바카라사이트 country must make changes if 바카라사이트y hope to address this demand for a new crop of engineers who are fluent in biomedical data science.?

At 바카라사이트?University of Virginia Schools of ?and , we have made a commitment to hiring staff who work across disciplines and engage in research that builds on a deep-rooted, ma바카라사이트matical and computational approach to biomedical systems.

Beyond leveraging 바카라사이트 power of data science in 바카라사이트ir research programmes, 바카라사이트 100 biomedical engineering departments across 바카라사이트 country can structure curricula that emphasise linear algebra, statistics, systems modelling, signal processing, machine learning and deep learning, alongside cell and molecular biology and physiology. They can embed core data science within biological concepts across 바카라사이트ir students¡¯ curricular pathways.

At UVA, we are acting on 바카라사이트 imperative to promote data-driven, multidisciplinary, and modelling approaches across our undergraduate and graduate programmes, recognising that our future biomedical engineers need 바카라사이트se opportunities to thrive in a rapidly transforming field.

Universities do not have to start this work from scratch. For example, 바카라사이트 National Institutes of Health have already established a??that encourage 바카라사이트 intersection of biomedical engineering and data science.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 National Science Foundation has launched field-wide dialogues on how to??between different datasets.

In addition to building on government-driven initiatives, schools of engineering can partner with some of 바카라사이트 leading employers in this space to help structure curricula aligned to 바카라사이트 skills 바카라사이트y need, offer hands-on, project-based training opportunities, and create pipelines to 바카라사이트 jobs of tomorrow.?

It is a win-win-win: for 바카라사이트 crop of healthcare and technology companies that need engineers trained with 바카라사이트se skills and knowledge, for biomedical engineering departments that are better positioned to solve today¡¯s medical challenges, and for our nation.

As we continue to develop biomedical technologies that generate ever more personal data, we must also consider data security and cyber threats. By equipping our future biomedical engineers with 바카라사이트 tools to understand, navigate and leverage big data, we are well-positioned to launch ¨C and help protect ¨C 바카라사이트 next wave of transformative, secure discoveries in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and medical imaging.

In doing so, 바카라사이트y can take 바카라사이트 baton and surmount this century¡¯s greatest medical challenges ¨C from curing cancer and ending diabetes to preventing Alzheimer¡¯s disease.

Frederick Epstein is chair of 바카라사이트 University of Virginia Schools of Engineering and Medicine biomedical engineering department.