NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Using AI to inspire teens to explore biomedical careers

Official title: AI4Health: Engaging Adolescents in Artificial Intelligence to Promote Pathways to Biomedical Careers

Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10888887 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is inviting teens aged 12-20 to explore exciting careers in health sciences through a fun game that teaches them about artificial intelligence and how it can help solve health problems.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2029
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$272,000
NIH project number1R25GM154357-01
Project IDNIH-10888887 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this program are adolescents aged 12-20, particularly those from diverse backgrounds interested in health sciences and technology.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not within the age range of 12-20 or who are not interested in biomedical careers may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research aims to engage adolescents aged 12-20 in the field of biomedical careers by introducing them to artificial intelligence (AI) through a game-based learning platform called AI4Health. The program is designed to create an interactive environment where diverse teens can explore various biomedical professions and understand how AI can be applied to solve health-related challenges. By leveraging advanced learning technologies, the initiative seeks to boost interest and self-efficacy in pursuing careers in health sciences. Participants will engage in activities that promote creativity and problem-solving in the context of biomedical research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower adolescents to pursue careers in biomedical fields, enhancing workforce diversity and innovation.

How similar studies have gone: Previous initiatives using game-based learning to engage youth in STEM fields have shown promising results, indicating potential success for this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California, San Francisco
    San Francisco, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Ozer, Elizabeth M — University of California, San Francisco
  • Study coordinator: Ozer, Elizabeth M

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • How cancer cells use exosomes to evade the immune system

    This study is looking at how cancer cells use tiny bubbles called exosomes to hide proteins that can keep your immune system from fighting the tumor, and by figuring this out, the researchers hope to help doctors understand why some people respond well to cancer treatments while others don’t, ultimately aiming to creat

    NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-9869561

  • Reducing harm from smoking using electronic cigarettes

    This study is looking at whether using electronic cigarettes can be a safer option for people who smoke traditional cigarettes, by comparing the health effects and exposure to harmful substances between the two.

    NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-9752505

  • Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis

    This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.

    NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11644470

  • Cutaneous opioid signals in skin inflammation

    A mentor-identified clinician-researcher at UCSF is studying how natural skin opioids regulate itch and pain in inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and hidradenitis, with plans to map where these opioids come from and how they affect skin nerves.

    NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11640034

  • Pooling international data to understand long-term bisphosphonate use and atypical femur fractures

    This project combines large patient datasets from multiple countries to understand how long-term bisphosphonate use relates to rare hip and thigh bone fractures, helping doctors and patients make safer treatment choices.

    NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11638692

  • Airway cell and immune cell talks in lung transplant failure

    This grant tests how airway cells and immune cells interact to drive chronic rejection after lung transplant, with the goal of slowing or preventing scar-like damage.

    NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11629839

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.