High Schoolers Dive Into AI and Cancer Research

What does it take to inspire the next generation of cancer researchers and healthcare professionals? At Moffitt Cancer Center, it starts with giving young people opportunities to explore possibilities early. 

Moffitt Explorers is a career pipeline program designed to introduce middle and high school students to career opportunities in cancer research and healthcare, while providing hands-on experiences, mentorship and connections to help guide their future education and careers. 

One of the newest Moffitt Explorers initiatives is AIM-HI, or Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning High School Internship. It’s an eight-week paid summer internship introducing high school students to the growing role of AI in cancer research. 

Why an AI Internship Matters 

Issam El Naqa, PhD

Artificial intelligence is transforming cancer research, helping researchers analyze large amounts of data, identify patterns and develop new approaches to understanding and treating cancer. As AI becomes increasingly important in science and healthcare, exposing students to these technologies early can help prepare them for a changing workforce. It also shows how mathematics, computer science, physics and biology can come together to address real-world problems.  

“AI is creating new opportunities to tackle some of the most challenging problems in cancer,” said Issam El Naqa, PhD, chair of the Machine Learning Department at Moffitt and an AIM-HI mentor. “Working on real research questions helps students see how technology and biology can come together to advance cancer research.” 

Yi Luo, PhD, a researcher in the Machine Learning Department and an AIM-HI mentor, says the program gives students an opportunity to experience research firsthand.   

“AIM-HI gives students a unique opportunity to explore how AI and data science can be applied to real challenges in cancer research,” Luo said.  

An Immersive Summer Experience 

The inaugural AIM-HI cohort brought five high school students to Moffitt’s Magnolia Campus for eight weeks of learning, research and mentorship. Students began by learning the fundamentals of AI and machine learning, programming, mathematical oncology, cancer biology and research ethics. They toured Moffitt research labs, participated in journal clubs and discussions with researchers and worked with Moffitt mentors to develop their own AI-focused cancer research projects. 

Brian Gonzalez, PhD

Throughout the internship, students learned to work with data, write code and develop AI and machine learning models. The program culminated in a Showcase Day, where students presented their research to Moffitt researchers, mentors, family members and guests. 

“AIM-HI gives students the opportunity to see that AI isn't just something they hear about — it's a tool they can use to answer important questions in cancer research,” said Brian Gonzalez, PhD, Associate Center Director for Research Career Development at Moffitt and director of AIM-HI. 

Inspiring Future Cancer Research Careers  

Students reported increased knowledge of AI and machine learning, data science, cancer biology and AI-driven cancer research, as well as greater interest in careers combining technology, research, medicine and health care. 

One student helped build a functioning physics-informed neural network for cancer treatment modeling. Another entered AIM-HI planning to pursue a medical degree, but said the experience prompted them to also consider a research doctorate program after seeing the value of research firsthand. Through AIM-HI and other hands-on initiatives, Moffitt Explorers is helping young people discover where their interests and talents could fit into the future of cancer research and healthcare. 

The AIM-HI internship was made possible through the generous support of Moffitt Corporate Partners in Health (MCPH) and Suncoast Credit Union. Special thanks to mentors Issam El Naqa, PhD, Yi Luo, PhD, Monique Shotande, PhD, Caroline De Paula, Ruwani Fernando, PhD and Dipesh Niraula, PhD.