Ophthalmology Informatics & Data Science
At the UC San Diego Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and the Shiley Eye Institute, our Division of Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science is dedicated to advancing data science, artificial intelligence, and big-data analytics for the improvement of vision and health.
Informatics & Data Science
AI & Big Data
We are conducting cutting-edge research as well as providing clinical informatics support to develop and integrate state-of-the-art health information technology tools into the day-to-day care of our patients. Our division is engaged in a range of activities, including:
Informatics is the "science of how to use data, information, and knowledge to improve human health and the delivery of health care services" (American Medical Informatics Association).
- NIH-funded research in health information technology integration, big data, and artificial intelligence
- Examples:
- Deep learning analyses of optic nerve and retinal images
- Big-data predictive analytics with electronic health record data
- Innovations in sensor technology and wearables
- Genomics
- Examples:
- Providing core resources such as high-performance computing and state-of-the-art custom computer programming through the UCSD Computational Ophthalmology Group
- Seminar series with notable ophthalmologists, informaticists, and data scientists from across the world
- Training programs to develop the next generation of ophthalmic informaticists and data scientists
- Journal clubs and research symposia to discuss cutting-edge research
- Providing support to faculty, staff, and trainees as they implement new informatics and digital tools for research and clinical applications
- Founding member of the UC San Diego Halicioglu Data Science Institute
- Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Committee on Artificial Intelligence
- Member of the National Research Network (NRN) headquartered at the UC San Francisco Center for Clinical Informatics and Improvement Research
We also value diversity and inclusion as an utmost priority. Some of the ways we have prioritized diversity include making concerted efforts to study individuals from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research, recruit trainees from diverse backgrounds, and ensure data analyses, algorithms, and implementation of tools are performed in a transparent fashion while minimizing bias and reducing health disparities.
Training Opportunities
Faculty in the division have trained and mentored undergraduates, postbaccalaureate students, medical students, residents, and fellows via independent study courses, research electives, mentoring programs, summer internships, and other pathways.
We are also proud to offer an Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science Fellowship Program, a unique postdoctoral training opportunity for physicians and scientists interested in advancing their understanding of biomedical and clinical informatics as applied to vision science and clinical ophthalmology. Learn more about the fellowship opportunities.
Affiliated Faculty
Sally L. Baxter, MD, MSc
– Division Chief, Dual Board-Certified in Ophthalmology and Clinical Informatics
Collaborating Faculty
- UCSD Health Department of Biomedical Informatics
- UCSD Health Information Services
- UCSD Halicioglu Data Science Institute
- UCSD Division of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health - UCSD Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Information about diversity and inclusion is available through multiple venues. First, there are several websites available that provide information about diversity initiatives across the entire campus (diversity.ucsd.edu) and the (School of Medicine). Many departments have their own websites as well. Virtually all departments at UCSD have identified an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) ambassador, typically a faculty member who spearheads diversity-related initiatives in their areas/specialties and also collaborates with various entities across the medical school.
There are several active affinity organizations for UCSD medical students. These include:
The Association of Native American Medical Students (ANAMS)
The Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association (APAMSA)LGBTQ
Pharmacy and Medical Students (LGBTQ-PhaM)
The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)
Medical Students for Justice (MS4J)
The Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
UCSD also offers a curricular pathway called Program in Medical Education – Health Equity (PRIME - HEq), which part of a system-wide effort at the University of California to train physicians better able to meet the needs of the diverse Californian population who are traditionally underserved by the medical system. PRIME-HEq faculty work with students to identify populations or communities at risk for health disparities. Students will then receive exposure, training, and the opportunity to work with the identified group to further their passion in the area and provide knowledge and skills to better equip the students to improve health equity for the group.
- UC Campus Diversity Efforts
- UCSD Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Center for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion
- UCSD School of Medicine Office of Diversity and Community Partnerships
- UCSD Student National Medical Association
- UCSD Black Resource Center
- UCSD Latino Medical Student Association
- UCSD Women’s Center
- UCSD Hispanic Center of Excellence
- UCSD LGBT Resource Center