Professors Alán Aspuru-Guzik and Lisa Strug will lead the Schmidt AI in Science Postdocs program at U of T. (Photo credits: Lisa Lightbourn; provided)
With the goal of accelerating scientific research through the application of artificial intelligence, Schmidt Futures is investing $148-million in nine global universities, including the University of Toronto.
The announcement launches the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship, a program of Schmidt Futures. A large-scale initiative supporting the work of early-career scholars in engineering and the natural sciences, such as mathematics, chemistry or physics, the program fosters their uptake of vital tools in artificial intelligence.
Working closely with the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, two senior faculty members in U of T’s Department of Computer Science lead the initiative. Alán Aspuru-Guzik is the director of U of T’s Acceleration Consortium, a global network of researchers, industry and government that is leading a convergence of materials science with AI and robotics. Lisa Strug is the director of U of T’s Data Sciences Institute, one of the world’s largest clusters of scientists working on innovative approaches to data that drive actionable research insights.
The Canada Research Chair in Genome Data Science, Strug develops novel approaches to identifying the genetic contributors to complex human disease. She is cross-appointed to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Hospital for Sick Children, and is also the director of the Canadian Statistical Sciences Institute, Ontario Region.
As a CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the Canada 150 Research Chair in Theoretical and Quantum Chemistry, Aspuru-Guzik works to accelerate the discovery of new molecules and materials needed for a sustainable future, using novel, disruptive approaches. He is also a Google Industrial Research Chair in Quantum Computing, and is the founder of two startups.
“As the home of deep learning, the University of Toronto is proud to partner with Schmidt Futures on this forward-looking program, which will accelerate humanity’s ability to meet some of the most important challenges of our time,” said Meric Gertler, president of U of T. “The Schmidt AI in Science Postdocs program provides tremendous opportunities for the emerging generation of STEM researchers. On behalf of the U of T community, I would like to thank Schmidt Futures for their vision and generosity.”
Read more at U of T News
Apply to become an Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellow.
Visit schmidtfellows.utoronto.ca. Deadline is Nov. 21, 2022.