Medical school launches first data science-focused center on immunology
The new center will connect artificial intelligence, immunology, and patient care while joining the global Jeffrey Modell Foundation network.
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine dedicated the Jeffrey Modell Center for Informatics and Data Science on Tuesday, April 21, marking a milestone for the institution and a first for the global Jeffrey Modell Foundation network.
The new center is the first in the foundation’s international network focused specifically on informatics and data science. Its designation signals a shift in how researchers approach immunology, using large-scale data and artificial intelligence (AI) to better understand immune disorders and improve patient care.
“This center represents an important step forward for our school and is a milestone marking our progress applying AI in health care,” said Lee Learman, dean of the medical school. “We are very thankful for the Jeffrey Modell Foundation for its support and are excited to be on the leading edge of this initiative. By utilizing the advanced tools and technology that are now available, we hope this research can make an immediate impact on patient care.”
Fred Modell and the late Vicki Modell established the foundation in 1987 in memory of their son Jeffrey, who passed away at the age of 15 from complications of primary immune disease (PI), a genetic condition that is chronic, serious, and often fatal if not diagnosed correctly. To date, the foundation has awarded more than $3.7 million for research programs into PI with a focus on translational research and support of underserved regions with health care disparities. Projects are currently being conducted in 32 countries led by 45 leading investigators.
By joining the Jeffrey Modell Foundation’s network of research centers, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) strengthens its role in advancing discovery and clinical impact in immunology. The center will serve as a hub for applying data-driven approaches to complex immune system challenges, connecting research with real-world outcomes.
Guiding that effort is Nicholas L. Rider, who will lead the center. Rider, professor of health systems and implementation science at the medical school and associate chief medical information officer at Carilion Clinic, brings expertise at the intersection of clinical care, immunology, informatics, and emerging technologies.
“Our goal is to use data in ways that directly improve how we diagnose and care for patients, not only here locally but around the world,” Rider said. “By bringing together clinical expertise and advanced analytics, we can better understand immune disorders and translate those insights into more effective, personalized care.”
Rider’s leadership extends beyond the institution. He was recently named chair of the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, a national role that underscores his influence in shaping how AI is used across the specialty.
“We are proud that Dr. Rider’s was appointed to this national leadership role and excited to envision how it will synergize the impact of his work leading the Jeffrey Modell Center at VTCSOM,” Learman said. “It signals the deep respect he commands among his peers and ensures that the work we do here in Roanoke will help shape the ethical and practical implementation of AI across the entire specialty of immunology.”
Rider’s dual role, leading the new center while guiding national conversations on artificial intelligence, positions the medical school at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field. His work will help ensure that advances in data science and AI are applied responsibly while improving diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes.
The center also reflects the growing importance of integrating technology into medical research and care. By focusing on informatics, researchers can analyze large datasets to uncover patterns in immune system function, identify earlier indicators of disease, and tailor treatments to individual patients.
That work carries personal significance for many involved in the foundation’s mission. Leaders at the dedication emphasized that behind every dataset is a patient and a family, underscoring the human impact of the center’s work.
The Jeffrey Modell Foundation has supported leading immunology centers around the world, and this new designation expands its reach into data science, an area increasingly critical to advancing the field.
“We dream big because Jeffrey dreamed big. We push harder to find answers because Vicki and Fred pushed hard to find answers,” foundation CEO Vanessa Tanembaum said. “And the foundation continues to imagine new ways in which we can change the world of Primary Immunodeficiency. So we can all wish and hope and cures in the future.”
The event brought together university leaders, foundation representatives, clinicians, and researchers to mark the occasion and outline the center’s vision for the future.
“We wanted this to be more than a ribbon-cutting,” Rider said. “Bringing together leaders in the field, including speakers like Lisa Bastarache of the Center for Precision Medicine at Vanderbilt University alongside perspectives from families affected by immune disorders, reflects how this work connects research, clinical care, and real-world impact.”
