Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences

Stephanie Hicks (Johns Hopkins) - Frontiers in Computational Biosciences Seminar Series
2026-04-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Boyer Hall 159
Stephanie Hicks, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Watch recording on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCokAYrjf_TaziPtmn6l4-5A

W17: Machine Learning with Python
2026-04-21 09:00 - 2026-04-23 12:00 | 529 Boyer Hall, 611 Charles E Young Dr E,, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
This workshop will cover the basic principles involved in the applications mentioned above, such as pattern recognition, linear and non-linear regression and cluster analysis. The workshop will be oriented towards hands-on activities, starting from the basics of how to load and prepare biological datasets in a Python environment.

W37: Applications of Large Language Models
2026-04-21 13:30 - 2026-04-23 16:30 | 529 Boyer Hall, 611 Charles E Young Dr E,, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
This 3-day interactive workshop introduces the overarching principles guiding generative modeling and specifically Large-Scale Language Models (LLM), their application in Python for inference, and specific use-cases in Genomics. Experience with Python is necessary, and basic knowledge about ML workflows is preferred.
At the end of this workshop, you WILL be comfortable with loading, inferencing and experimenting with state-of-the-art LLMs in Python, and making small changes to suit your research interests in Genomics. You WILL NOT be exposed to the internal architecture of LLMs and training your own models.

15th Annual Southern California Systems Biology Symposium
2026-04-25 09:30 - 19:00 | Geffen Hall, 885 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

Leng Han (Indiana University School of Medicine) - Frontiers in Computational Biosciences Seminar Series
2026-04-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Boyer Hall 159
Leng Han, David Brown Chair Professor in Genomic Medicine
Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science
Brown Center for Immunotherapy, Indiana University School of Medicine
Harnessing Big Data for Precision Medicine
Watch recording on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCokAYrjf_TaziPtmn6l4-5A

W21: Image Processing for Microscopy
2026-04-28 09:00 - 2026-04-30 12:00 | 529 Boyer Hall, 611 Charles E Young Dr E,, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
The analysis of imaging datasets is both exciting and challenging. New and increasingly powerful techniques try to maximize the information derived from multi-dimensional imaging datasets. Yet, every dataset can be a unique analysis challenge, and packages may not always work out-of-the-box. In this workshop, we will explore some popular computational tools to extract quantitative information from imaging data. Our focus will be to first grasp the principles underlying image analysis, and see how they can be logically applied to different kinds of imaging datasets. We will cover image generation, filtering, object identification, measurement of object properties, and the basics of object tracking. Through a series of stepwise hands-on exercises for each concept, we will build up to the goal of designing a full image analysis pipeline. Some programming experience in Python is highly recommended (but optional). Participants are also welcome to bring their own images and videos for discussion.

W26: Protein Structure with AlphaFold
2026-04-28 13:30 - 2026-04-30 16:30 | 529 Boyer Hall, 611 Charles E Young Dr E,, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
The goal of the workshop is to enable the participants to submit
and rationally evaluate results of the AlphaFold protein structure
predictions. The class will cover the basic principles of the
structural biology of proteins, protein structure visualization
(in pymol) and protein structure prediction. The participants will
have opportunity to generate AlphaFold predictions for a protein
sequence/sequences of their choice and interpret the results
(provided these will be meaningful)
Note: Depending on interest, there might be a limit on the number
of predictions generated for workshop participants; Workshop
participants interested in generating novel AlphaFold predictions
are encouraged to provide the protein sequence(s) of interest
and a short (on or two sentences) description of each protein.

W14: Intro to Modern Statistics with R
2026-05-05 09:00 - 2026-05-07 12:00 | 529 Boyer Hall, 611 Charles E Young Dr E,, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Through this seminar, attendees will walk away knowing when and how to run modern versions of traditional statistical analysis. These tests and the underlying bioinformatical lesson about resampling will be of use to most scientific disciplines. The course makes no assumptions about familiarity with traditional statistics – we will simply go through relatable experimental examples and ask how to test various hypotheses, introducing the relevant methods along the way. There will be homework assignments each night to solidify the concepts from class. These are short and optional, but will allow advanced students to gain more of the class.

W31: Spatial Transcriptomics
2026-05-05 13:30 - 2026-05-07 16:30 | 529 Boyer Hall, 611 Charles E Young Dr E,, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Spatial transcriptomics is an emerging field that bridges molecular biology and anatomy. Over the last decade, a battery of assays have been developed that profile gene expression in-situ, i.e, measuring the abundances of mRNA molecules in cells and tissues while retaining information about their spatial locations. This workshop will introduce the basic concepts, major techniques, and typical analysis workflows in spatial transcriptomics. It will also offer guided hands-on coding exercises for the analysis of public spatial transcriptomic datasets.
Given the field’s rapid development, this workshop will try not to position itself as an authoritative guide of the subject. Rather, it will serve as a means of encouragement and support. It aims to help people jump into the field, plan experiments, play with data analysis, and contemplate about the future potential of this powerful technology.

Daniella Meeker (Yale University) - Frontiers in Computational Biosciences Seminar Series
2026-05-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Boyer Hall 159
Daniella Meeker, Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics & Data Science, Chief Research Information Officer, Yale New Haven Health System

Watch recording on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCokAYrjf_TaziPtmn6l4-5A

W5a: RNA-seq I Analysis
2026-05-12 09:00 - 2026-05-14 12:00 | 529 Boyer Hall, 611 Charles E Young Dr E,, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
RNA-seq I aims to provide an introduction and the basics tools to process raw RNA-seq data on a cluster machine (Hoffman2). The workshop can serve also as a starting point to develop a gene expression project. This workshop is divided in three days that will cover major steps of processing RNA-seq.
To facilitate learning, the workshop will be centered on hands-on tutorial that will guide students in processing the data from raw reads through read counts using a real case study based approach appropriate for Illumina read data.

W1b: Advanced Usage of Hoffman2 Cluster
2026-05-12 13:30 - 2026-05-14 16:30 | 529 Boyer Hall, 611 Charles E Young Dr E,, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

Dmitri Petrov (Stanford University) - Frontiers in Computational Biosciences Seminar Series
2026-05-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Boyer Hall 159
Dmitri Petrov, Professor, Stanford University
Real and Not Just Hopeful Monsters: Evolution by Very Large Jumps
Watch recording on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCokAYrjf_TaziPtmn6l4-5A

W28: Advanced Data Visualization w/ ggplot2
2026-05-19 13:30 - 2026-05-21 16:30 | 529 Boyer Hall, 611 Charles E Young Dr E,, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

W5b: RNA-Seq II Analysis
2026-05-20 09:00 - 2026-05-21 11:00 | 529 Boyer Hall, 611 Charles E Young Dr E,, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
RNA-seq II aims to provide tools for analysis of gene expression data from read counts to biology using R. To facilitate learning, the workshop will use a real case study based approach appropriate for Illumina read data (same as RNA-seq I).

W20: Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis with R
2026-06-02 09:00 - 2026-06-04 12:00 | 529 Boyer Hall, 611 Charles E Young Dr E,, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
This workshop aims to introduce the basic concepts and algorithms for single-cell RNA-seq analysis. It will help participants obtain a better idea of how to use scRNA-seq technology, from considerations in experimental design to data analysis and interpretation. This workshop can serve researchers who are interested in designing an scRNA-seq study or who have acquired scRNA-seq data and would like to learn about different analytical approaches.

W33: Electronic Health Records Analysis
2026-06-02 13:30 - 2026-06-04 16:30 | 529 Boyer Hall, 611 Charles E Young Dr E,, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
UCLA Health serves well over half a million patients annually, and as a result, UCLA possesses a vast database of Electronic Health Records (EHR). The stemming Discovery Data Repository (DDR) serves as an invaluable resource for researchers. This introductory workshop will cover the basics of writing queries to extract the relevant datasets for EHR-related research projects – from a simple list of patient visits to generating feature sets for complex phenotypes. Topics covered include introductory SQL, medical record concepts and organization, and best practices. Additionally, an entire day is dedicated for the UCLA ATLAS Precision Health Biobank which integrates genetic information and de-identified medical records to enable precision health research. No prior experience with SQL nor health records are assumed.
