The Colin Stroud Hackathon brings together trainees, data scientists, computational biologists, researchers and clinicians to collaborate and explore innovative approaches at the intersection of spatial multi-omics, cancer biology and AI-driven data science.
Co-Organizers
The Colin Stroud Hackathon is a two-day event that focuses on advancing our understanding of complex tumor ecosystems through the lens of spatial multi-omics and artificial intelligence, with participants working in multidisciplinary teams to analyze curated spatial multimodal datasets, apply innovative tools to solve complex challenges, and generate new biological and clinical insights.
The Hackathon is named for Colin Stroud to honor his legacy and passion for data science.
Hackathon Goals
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Discover
Decode clinically relevant functional niches in cancer from spatial multimodal data
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Master
Learn advanced computational tools, frameworks, and best practices for spatial multi-omics
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Innovate
Apply artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) and foundation models for cutting-edge spatial multi-omics analysis
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Build
Gain hands-on skills by working in multidisciplinary teams on curated datasets
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Integrate
Fuse multiple spatial modalities to build a unified view of tumor ecosystems
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Deliver
Generate reusable analytical frameworks and actionable insights into spatial niches
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Gain
Hear forward-looking perspectives from leaders and rising stars in spatial omics and artificial intelligence (AI)
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Connect
Network across disciplines to spark new collaborations and projects
Hackathon 2026: April 30–May 1
Registration for the 2026 event, with the theme of “Decoding Functional Niches in Cancer by Leveraging Spatial Omics and AI,” is now closed.
Hosted by Linghua Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor & Deputy Chair, Genomic Medicine
Co-lead, Focus Area 2, Institute for Data Science in Oncology
Associate Member, Allison Institute
Team Leads
- Fushun Chen, Ph.D.
Translational Molecular Pathology - Yangyang Chen, Ph.D.
Bioinformatics & Computational Biology - Alejandro Jimenez Sanchez, Ph.D.
Immunotherapy Platform / James P. Allison Institute - Daniel Kwabena Marri, Ph.D.
Imaging Physics - Research - Xubin Li, Ph.D.
Lymphoma-Myeloma - Research - Matthew D Montierth, Ph.D.
Bioinformatics & Computational Biology - Nejla Ozirmak Lermi, M.S.
Bioinformatics & Computational Biology - Yufan Wu, Ph.D.
Biostatistics
Scientific Planning Committee
- Bethany C Taylor, Ph.D. (Chair)
Genomic Medicine - Edoardo Draetta, M.S. (Co-Chair)
Genomic Medicine / Institute for Data Science in Oncology - Muhammad Aminu, Ph.D.
Imaging Physics - Research - Afrooz Jahedi, Ph.D.
Genomic Medicine - Alejandro Jimenez Sanchez, Ph.D.
Immunotherapy Platform / James P. Allison Institute - Yunhe Liu, Ph.D.
Genomic Medicine
Tentative Agenda
Day 1 (Thursday, April 30) Open Learning/Workshop | 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Dynamic One at TMC Helix Park, Level 7 Lounge | 1840 Dynamic Way, Houston, TX
Day 1 is a standalone high-level symposium featuring pioneers in Spatial Omics and AI. It is open to all researchers, clinicians and trainees. (Hackathon participation is not required.)
- 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Spatial Omics & AI Frontiers: Visionary Insights: Join four distinguished external speakers in Spatial Omics and AI as they share breakthrough research from their labs and visionary perspectives on where the field is headed. The keynote speakers are:
- Aaron Newman, Ph.D.
- Mingyao Li, Ph.D.
- James Zou, Ph.D.
- Hoifung Poon, Ph.D.
- 1:30–3:30 p.m. — The Innovation Spotlight: New Methods & Tools: A showcase of six rising stars presenting new methods and tools:
- Sanja Vickovic, Ph.D.
- Andrew Song, Ph.D.
- Ziyi Li, Ph.D.
- Guolan Lu, Ph.D.
- Lulu Shang, Ph.D.
- Sammy Ferri-Borgogno, Ph.D.
- 3:30– 5 p.m. — The Hackathon Teams, Datasets, & Challenges: An overview of the Hackathon goals, challenges, datasets and tools, followed by team introductions
Day 2 (Friday, May 1) Hackathon Competition | 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
TMC3 Collaborative Bldg. | 7255 Helix Park Ave., Houston, TX
Day 2 includes the competition, team presentations, awards and reception dinner. (Hackathon participation required.)
- 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. — Hackathon
- 1:30–5 p.m. — Team Presentations
- 5:30–6 p.m. — Awards
- 6–8 p.m. — Reception Dinner
Instructors
- Yunhe Liu, Ph.D.
- Afrooz Jahedi, Ph.D.
- Tian Chu, Ph.D.
All are in the Department of Genomic Medicine at UT MD Anderson.
Hackathon 2025
Open Learning/Workshop
Keynote
Garry Nolan, Ph.D.
Rachford and Carlota A. Harris Professor, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine
Adjunct Member, James P. Allison Institute
