PhD in Biomedical Informatics and Data Science

The Future of Health Is Written in Data - Help Us Decode It

Every day, health care creates more data, but without the right tools and people, that data can’t help anyone. Biomedical informatics helps turn that data into action. 

The division of biomedical informatics at the 91С»Æ³µ teaches students how to use data, technology, and research to improve health for real people. Whether it’s using AI to support doctors, studying patterns in public health, or working with genetic data to fight disease, this field is changing how we understand and deliver care. 

If you want to use data to make a real difference in health care, this is where you start. 

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Who We Are

As part of the division of biomedical informatics in the UK 91С»Æ³µ Department of Internal Medicine, the biomedical informatics and data science PhD program is specifically designed with a core curriculum that teaches proper techniques to computationally analyze large-scale datasets with the potential of providing better health to Kentucky residents and beyond. Students are provided with flexibility to work with their graduate committee and director of graduate studies during their second year of training to ensure that coursework is directly relevant to their proposed research.   

Students interested in a range of computational analyses related to biomedicine may find a home in this program. Faculty currently support research in the following domains:

  • risk modeling for disease
  • genetic sequencing
  • machine learning
  • natural language processing
  • image analysis
  • generative AI

 

  • large-scale data analytics
  • bioinformatics
  • computational biology
  • biomedicine
  • informatics

 

  • Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders
  • cancers
  • genetic mutations
  • medical records analysis
  • disease ontologies

How to Apply 

Ready to take the next step? Applying to the PhD program is simple:

  1. Complete the . 

  2. Submit your transcripts, CV, and statement of purpose. 

  3. Include two letters of recommendation. 

  4. GRE scores are not required. 

  5. International applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. 

Visit the for full instructions. 

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Admission Requirements

To join the Biomedical Informatics program, applicants must have: 

  • A bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., biology, computer science, public health, statistics). 

  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 

  • Foundational knowledge in programming (Python or R preferred) and basic statistics. 

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

Don't have a computer science background? 

We're looking for passion and potential. We offer bridge support to help non-technical students succeed. 

Courses in Biomedical Informatics

Courses include hands-on experience and project-based learning. Our curriculum is built to prepare students for academic, clinical, or industry roles in biomedical informatics. 

Core Courses: 

  • BMI 601: Introduction to Biomedical Informatics 

  • BMI 602: Data Science in Health 

  • BMI 603: Clinical Decision Support and Machine Learning 

  • BMI 604: Ethics, Privacy, and Security in Health Data 

  • BMI 605: Research Methods in Biomedical Informatics 

Electives include: 

  • Genomic Informatics 

  • AI in Health 

  • Population Health Analytics 

  • Health IT Policy and Management 

Apply Now

Ready to use data to make a difference in the world? 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadlines for semester applicants are Dec. 1 (domestic) and Sept. 15 (international)

Preparing Future Leaders

Our mission is to train future biomedical researchers and industry leaders to harness the power of high-dimensional, heterogeneous data to uncover intricate relationships that will ultimately improve human health. 

We aim to create a future where precision medicine, informed by comprehensive biomedical data analysis, becomes the cornerstone of personalized healthcare, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life for individuals worldwide. 

In alignment with the Commonwealth of Kentucky's commitment to well-being, our vision extends to addressing the unique healthcare challenges within the state while positioning the University of Kentucky to be a world leader in data-driven solutions within the healthcare domain. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

Our Objectives

  1. Train the next generation of biomedical data scientists to support personalized medicine research endeavors at the University of Kentucky and beyond, and establish the University of Kentucky as a leader in this field. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
  2. Ensure that available biomedical and genomics data are properly analyzed and interpreted.   
  3. Provide expertise in state-of-the-art methods for uncovering biologically meaningful patterns in large datasets.   

Questions?

Contact Megan Kidd, Division Administrator

megan.kidd1@uky.edu, 859-230-7784