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Comparative Medicine Institute

Data Enabled Modeling (DEM)

What We Do

Focused on applying diverse tools, such as stochastic multi-scale simulation, statistical approaches, and machine learning, to develop trustworthy models that can be compared with experimental data to validate understanding of biological processes, make mechanistic predictions, and accelerate therapeutic design.

Leadership

Dr. Mansoor Haider

Professor of Mathematics, College of Sciences

Email: m_haider@ncsu.edu

Dr. Mary Elting

Associate Professor of Physics, College of Sciences

Email: mary.elting@ncsu.edu

Call For Proposals: DEM Associate Member Travel & Researcher Awards

The Data Enabled Modeling unit of the Comparative Medicine Institute issues a call for proposals for funding for students in three categories:

  • Undergraduate research assistants
  • Travel awards for undergraduate or graduate students or postdoctoral researchers

In either case, funds must be used by August 31, 2026. We anticipate ~5 awards with most awards in the range of $500-$1000, and a maximum award of $2000 per project.

The objective of this call is to support student involvement in projects related to Data Enabled Modeling at NC State. 

For the undergraduate research assistantship award, applicants should submit a one page description of the research project, including a description of the planned work and its relevance to Data Enabled Modeling, the prior research experience of the undergraduate, and a brief plan for how the undergraduate will be mentored.

For the travel awards, applicants (undergraduate or graduate students or postdoctoral researchers) should submit one page that includes a description of the research to be presented and its relevance to Data Enabled Modeling, information about the conference or workshop to be attended, and a description of how the trip will impact the applicant’s academic and professional development.

In both cases, applicants should submit a short budget for funds being requested and how they will be used.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but for priority consideration, should be submitted by April 30th. Preference will be given to collaborative projects involving at least two NC State researchers in different disciplines. In the case of undergraduate research assistantships, preference will be given to new projects and collaborations.

Apply Here

Upcoming Events

Spring Research Showcase & Networking Event

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Talley Student Union Room 3285

Agenda:

  • 8:30-8:55 Breakfast
  • 8:55-9:00 Intro to the Data Enabled Modeling Unit of the Comparative Medicine Institute (Mary Elting and Mansoor Haider)
  • 9:00-9:45 Mini-Tutorial 1:  Zixuan Cang: From scRNA-seq Snapshots to Temporal Dynamics: A Dynamical Optimal Transport Approach
  • 9:45-10:00 Research Talk: Orlando Arguello-Miranda: Microscopy without microscopes: AI-driven molecular visualizations in biology
  • 10:00-10:20 Break/Networking
  • 10:20-10:30 Flash Talks (Sharon Lubkin, Alyssa Wenzel)
  • 10:30-11:15 Mini-Tutorial 2: Nathan Ennist: A tutorial on AI-guided protein design: AlphaFold, ProteinMPNN, and RFdiffusion
  • 11:15-11:30 Research Talk 2: Xiaorui Liu: Accelerating Generative Modeling with Modulated Diffusions
  • 11:30-11:40 Flash Talks (Mansoor Haider, Mette Olufsen)
  • 11:40-12 Break/Networking
  • 12-1 Lunch/Networking

Registration is free but required. Flash Talk registration deadline is April 15th. Attendance-only registration is April 20th.

Register