Through the Research Strategic Initiative, UAB is investing in cutting-edge technology that accelerates our ability to remain at the forefront of innovation and improve lives across Alabama and beyond. Sharing the benefits of that technology and the data that it produces throughout the enterprise is the charge of leaders from UAB and UAB Medicine given to hardworking cross-campus committees.
UAB’s research growth has always relied on innovative work at the forefront of new fields. In 2026, that means making a significant investment in AI tools, improved digital infrastructure and advanced lab technologies.
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Using AI to improve care and accelerate research
The $5 million Artificial Intelligence for Medicine and Health Initiative, or AIM+HI, seeks to make Alabama the first state to deliver precision care through safe, ethical artificial intelligence. At the heart of AIM+HI is a digital platform designed to empower both patients and clinicians that will match individuals with the right health care providers and connect them to clinical trials and AI-powered applications tailored to their conditions. The platform also will offer medical professionals access to expert knowledge and second opinions on demand. AIM+HI will begin with a focus on underserved and rural communities, ensuring that those most in need benefit first.
As part of the Research Strategic Initiative, UAB working groups also are developing AI-powered tools to reduce manual burden and improve speed and accuracy while keeping human expertise central. These tools include an Institutional Review Board pre‑review assistant to elevate first‑pass submission quality, a clinical trial contract review assistant using an expert‑in‑the‑loop model, and a research‑focused chatbot drawing on UAB research guidance and content.
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MyUABResearch launches
One common issue noted by stakeholders from the beginning of the Research Strategic Initiative was the need for a new electronic research administration tool at UAB. With the successful Phase I launch on Dec. 15, 2025, myUABResearch now provides modules for grants, agreements and conflict‑of‑interest management, all designed to make research administration easier and more efficient. Following the launch, there has been substantial traffic to the new tool (more than 25,000 visits in the first month), strong training uptake (more than 1,500 trainings completed), and other signals of strong adoption and impact by the UAB research community.
To help principal investigators and research administrators get the most out of the tool, Trainings and Office hours are available, offering hands‑on guidance and opportunities to learn how to navigate and use each module effectively.
Phase II of the myUABResearch rollout is well underway, with a targeted go-live date in summer 2026. This phase will include an IRB module with streamlined smart forms and toolkits for researchers and IRB staff, and a new, dedicated module for tracking export-controlled projects and related reporting.
Together, these enhancements will create a single, integrated solution that streamlines workflows, reduces administrative burden and better supports UAB researchers at every step of the research life cycle.
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Technology alignment and data modernization
The efforts of the Technology Alignment and Collaboration Committee have unified Box across UAB Medicine and campus, creating a consistent user experience and reducing costs. This effort is underway for UAB Medicine employees and will be available soon. The TACC also delivered the first phase of Microsoft Teams federation, improving communication between researchers and other staff members at UAB and UAB Medicine. In addition, it integrated UAB Medicine’s Eduroam network into the campus backbone to provide access and seamless connectivity to shared systems on the campus network, and consolidated REDCap into a single, streamlined instance with waived basic setup fees and centrally funded overhead costs.
The Igniting Data Insights initiative is implementing the ability to analyze and report on data across multiple systems, including providing enhanced visibility into clinical trial accruals. This initiative is also establishing a central data repository and providing tools to analyze and report on research administrative data. IDI has additionally launched a new Data Community of Practice and will be rolling out a multi‑level training program focused on skills development and data fluency. These efforts advance our focus on enabling transparent, high‑quality analytics for managing research.
These distinct initiatives and efforts show how the data and technology collaboration needs identified in the Research Strategic Initiative are helping move forward other institutional priorities, including the Success Initiative for academic excellence and development efforts led by UAB Advancement.
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Other technological investments
UAB is purchasing high-end scientific equipment to update its research core facilities, supported by the Alabama Legislature’s generous supplemental appropriation of $2.5 million. This investment will open new avenues for scientific investigation and deliver impactful, differentiating new research services to the UAB research community. The research cores also have new leadership. In February 2026, James J. Kobie, Ph.D., was named the faculty director of the UAB Institutional Research Core Program. Kobie is the Michael Saag Endowed Professor in Infectious Diseases, co-director of the UAB Flow Cytometry and Single Cell Core Facility, and the director of the UAB Center for AIDS Research Advanced Technology Core. In his new role, Kobie will work with all core directors to ensure that institutional cores provide high-quality, cost-effective and timely service to the UAB community and that they utilize efficient and compliant management structures.
Another investment of $2.5 million in clinical trials technology is also supported by the Alabama Legislature’s generous supplemental state allocation. This investment includes technologies to enhance budgeting, recruitment and accruals monitoring systems as UAB’s clinical trials enterprise expands to bring even more potentially lifesaving trials to Alabama, improving access to innovative treatments for our communities and supporting UAB’s mission to advance health through research.
Follow the latest updates about the Research Strategic Initiative at uab.edu/research1b.