Harvard Medical School Biomedical Informatics PhD Program

Welcome to BMI!

The HMS Department of Biomedical Informatics offers a PhD in Biomedical Informatics in the areas of Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics (BIG) and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (AIM).

The Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics PhD track led by Program Director Dr. Peter Park and Associate Director Dr. Maha Farhat, provides students with the tools to conduct original research and the ability to develop novel approaches and new technologies to address fundamental biomedical questions. The track draws on three significant strengths of the local academic environment: the breadth of talented investigators at Harvard Medical School and its affiliated hospitals and research institutes; the rich variety of quantitatively-oriented courses in bioinformatics and genomics offered at Harvard and MIT; and national leadership of BIG faculty in genome-scale disease research and approaches to clinical applications.

The Artificial Intelligence in Medicine PhD track, led by Program Directors Dr. Isaac "Zak" Kohane and Dr. Sebastian Schneeweiss trains the next generation of leaders in harnessing real-world health data and AI methods to transform healthcare. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, clinical immersion, and methodological expertise, and includes a co-mentorship model and access to common datasets to ensure a deep understanding of the clinical ecosystem and the development of robust tools that meet real-world needs.

Although the BIG and AIM tracks have separate curricula, faculty, and, advising models; all students are part of one cohort and participate in shared social and community events, such as the annual student retreat. To learn more about each track, please visit the following links: BIG track details, AIM track details.