Data Science Center in Health (DASH)

Once a year, you can apply for a DASH project and get dedicated support from the DASH team with getting your research project started. DASH projects are open to UMCG researchers working in clinical and preclinical UMCG departments who perform promising research that involves challenges regarding big or complex data, research IT, or data science. The two winning projects will receive support from DASH employees in the form of man-hours and/or a financial contribution for special support or resources.

Previous DASH-projects: 

• Creating a big database: how to link data from different sources 
• Implementing a digital pathology network for tissue and cell-based deep learning facility  
• Validation and implementation of predictive algorithms to facilitate patient-tailored medicine – supporting medical decision-making. 

• DASH is leading the educational project AIProHealth, with which we want to contribute to the implementation of AI in healthcare in the near future.
• We support educational activities, such as the minor Data Wise at the University of Groningen and courses on AI.
• We work together with various organisations, such as AiMED, to support initiatives regarding AI and to exchange information. In addition, we organise the 'Data Science and AI in Health' summer school  and have developed the AIProHealth  'online course How AI can support Healthcare'.
• To share knowledge about data science, we give DASH mini-lectures in which experts provide more information about specific topics, cases, and developments in this field.

Our Machine Learning Lab (MLL) offers researchers support in the field of machine learning and community building within the UMCG. We have set up an online community where knowledge can be shared and we organise biweekly meetings where PhD students, postdocs and staff discuss technical matters in the field of machine learning. The MLL participates in various research projects both within and outside the UMCG and has its own dedicated PhD projects. The MLL also organises guidance meetings with clinicians to facilitate their machine learning projects.

We connect the data science, AI and eHealth communities by organising, for example, Machine Learning Lab and AI Think Thank meetings and monthly DASH events and/or webinars. The webinars feature speakers who share their knowledge and experience of data science in healthcare. Furthermore, members of the DASH team regularly take part in panel discussions, relevant events, workshops and presentations both within and outside the UMCG.

We register the needs, challenges, bottlenecks, and other input that are related to data science indicated by researchers, to offer the right solutions and improve the quality of research projects in the field of data science, AI, machine learning and eHealth. DASH is also actively involved in shaping the UMCG's vision with regard to AI and eHealth. 

We offer advice about funding and about how to obtain grants for data science, AI, and machine learning projects.

We participate in various outreach activities, including articles published in newspapers, trade journals and on websites. Furthermore, we share news about relevant events, publications, and developments via our social media channels and monthly DASH updates. Would you like to be informed of the latest data science news? Sign up for our newsletter. 

We help you start pilot projects together with public and/or private partners, and in close collaboration with the Center for Development and Innovation (CDI).