The future of medicine lies at the intersection of data analysis and medical science.
That's the general consensus at the
University of Cincinnati, at least. Biomedical informatics, an interdisciplinary field that enables better understanding of health and biomedical information, has found a home at UC.
The new UC program, which combines expertise from the College of Medicine and the College of Engineering and Applied Science, announced its first graduate in May, Dr. Benjamin Landis. An MD, Landis completed his Certificate in Biomedical Informatics while finishing up a three-year pediatric cardiology fellowship at
Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Landis' clinical work involved a great deal of research, so the opportunity for expansion of knowledge in informatics arrived at the perfect time.
"The practice of medicine is becoming a data analysis problem," Landis says. "Understanding what tools and techniques are available is essential."
His primary focus is in pediatric cardiology, specifically thoracic aortic aneurysms. When this type of aneurism occurs in children and young adults, there is normally a genetic reason for it. Landis' work uses genome sequencing data to analyze the impact of genetic modifiers on those who are afflicted with the disease.
"There is a real push for understanding the genetics of disease and incorporating genetics conditions in new ways," he says.
Most medical students and residents won't fully understand the technology behind genetic sequencing by the time they graduate. The informatics portion of Landis' education gives him a unique opportunity to fully understand and interpret the data he compiles.
Though UC's program is brand new, the informatics faculty is well-versed in the field. Landis' exposure to experts in this subspecialty was considerable, and the connections he made helped to jumpstart his career in the field.
Landis is now a part of the cardiology faculty at
Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. A secondary appointment at Riley's Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics will allow him to continue his research on thoracic aortic aneurysm and congenital heart malfunction.
"The ability to have an affiliation with a bioinformatics group is invaluable," Landis says. "It's the ticket to understanding biology and medicine going forward."
As for the future of UC's program, though the first year offered just a certificate, this semester promises the addition of a Biomedical Informatics PhD Program. In the coming years, students may also obtain a Master's degree in the subject.
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