Training in biomedical data science to address health challenges in Africa
Official title: Computational Omics and Biomedical Informatics Program (COBIP)
Funded at University of Cape Town · NIH-10886722 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a new graduate program at the University of Cape Town to help students learn how to use data science in healthcare, so they can solve important health challenges in Africa while understanding the ethical side of their work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cape Town NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rondebosch, South Africa) |
| Project start | September 22, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $349,508 |
| NIH project number | 5U2RTW012131-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10886722 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include students and professionals interested in pursuing careers in biomedical data science and related fields.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pursuing education or careers in biomedical data science may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research program aims to establish a graduate degree in biomedical data science at the University of Cape Town, focusing on computational omics and clinical informatics. It will provide interdisciplinary training that combines advanced concepts in machine intelligence with practical applications in healthcare. The program will prepare graduates to tackle significant health issues in Africa by utilizing large-scale biomedical data and understanding the ethical implications of their work. Participants will gain skills applicable to various biotechnology and biomedical industries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the capacity to address health challenges in Africa through improved data science education and innovative solutions.
How similar studies have gone: Similar educational initiatives in biomedical data science have shown success in other regions, indicating a strong potential for this program to be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cape Town
Rondebosch, South Africa Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bendou, Hocine — University of Cape Town
- Study coordinator: Bendou, Hocine
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.