Focused Research Education and Experience using Multimodal and Interdisciplinary NIH-supported Datasets (FREEMIND)

August 2026 Cohort

Program Overview:

FREEMIND is an educational program that combines coursework and mentorship activities, both of which will revolve around existing NIH-supported datasets. Participants will join a two-week synchronous course in a bootcamp format that will provide hands-on experience in technical, scientific, and practical aspects of working with NIH-supported datasets. This will be held in person at the University of California, San Diego, for two weeks in August. Similar to other UCSD bootcamps, dormitory housing on campus will be arranged for those traveling from outside of San Diego County.

The bootcamp will expose participants to a wide range of relevant techniques and include a combination of didactic lectures, hands-on tutorials, and lab exercises using programming languages such as GitHub and Python. Participants will be introduced to computational programming, FAIR data principles, machine learning, and AI. There will be training in rigor/reproducibility as well as ethics and responsible conduct of research. Social and networking activities will also be conducted to build camaraderie among the cohort and provide exposure to program faculty and investigators associated with the NIH-supported datasets. Bootcamp instructors will assign pre-reading materials to assist with preparation. It is expected that all participants will complete pre-reading materials prior to the start of the bootcamp.

If selected, this is an opportunity to gain cutting-edge training in AI/data science and exposure to NIH Common Fund datasets, without having to pay the tuition costs typically associated with similar training bootcamps. This training can confer a competitive advantage to future applications for fellowship and grant funding (e.g., K awards). For participants coming from outside of San Diego, there is funding to support travel costs and dormitory housing during the bootcamp. There is no stipend support associated with participating in this bootcamp.

Eligibility:

To apply to the FREEMIND Program, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

Completed at least an undergraduate degree, but applicants can be post-baccalaureate students, predoctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, medical trainees, or other allied health professionals.
The program requires full-time effort during the two-week in-person bootcamp. This is not a remote or hybrid program.
Applicants are not required to have an extensive background in programming, but should demonstrate technical/quantitative skills and a willingness to learn.
Provide a CV/Resume.
Provide a personal statement of career goals and why you are interested in participating in this bootcamp (word limit: 750 words).
Provide 2 letters of reference from academic faculty members and have them email their letters to the program coordinator at vpatronilo@health.ucsd.edu by February 13, 2026.
US citizenship or permanent residence is not required to apply to the program, but you must be physically located in the United States by the start of the program in Summer 2026. The program will not provide visa sponsorship.

Curriculum Highlights:

Introduction to Python and GitHub
Introduction to AI/ML
FAIR Principles
Study Design
Data Management
Introduction to NIH Common Fund datasets such as AI-READI, SPARC, and All of Us
Opportunity to work on small group projects and presentations
Social activities and networking

How to Apply:

Faculty:

Lead faculty and instructors are from UC San Diego and CALMI (California Medical Innovations Institute). All faculty members included in the program have had extensive experience in training and mentorship and represent multiple disciplines relevant to AI, data science, and clinical domains.

Mark Christopher, PhD

Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology
UC San Diego

Linda M. Zangwill, PhD

Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology Research Director, Hamilton Glaucoma Center, Data Coordinating Center Shiley Eye Institute at UC San Diego

Sally Baxter, MD, MSc

Associate Professor,
Division Chief for Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science,
Shiley Eye Institute at UC San Diego

Bhavesh Patel, PhD

Research Professor at the Clifornia Medical Innovations Institute, CaLMI²

Virginia de Sa, PhD

Professor in the Department of Cognitive Science, the Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, and the Neurosciences Graduate Program Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute Associate Director UC San Diego

Garrison Cottrell, PhD

Professor in the Department of Cognitive Science,
UC San Diego

For More Information or Questions About FREEMIND

Please email UC San Diego program coordinator Victoria Patronilo

K12 Award Program

The overall objective of the NEI Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Program Award at UCSD is to develop outstanding clinician scientists to successfully compete at the national level for NIH grants and emerge as leaders within academic Ophthalmology. Through this institutional career development award, we will mentor clinician scientists toward independent academic appointments in ophthalmology.