Alessandro Vasciaveo, PhD, has fond memories of being introduced to computers and programming through his father’s Apple II.

“I believe that everyone should do something they are passionate about, and my passion for computers started while growing up and learning to write computer programs to solve complex tasks,” said Vasciaveo, who joined Sanford Burnham Prebys as an assistant professor in computational biology and artificial intelligence in fall 2024.

After two decades in space, NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is performing better than ever thanks to a new operational strategy implemented earlier this year. The spacecraft has made great scientific strides in the years since scientists dreamed up a new way to explore gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe.

When it comes to early detection of silent but deadly diseases like pancreatic cancer, finding it early and predicting disease aggressiveness are critical for increasing long-term survival. With no universal pancreatic cancer screening tool, researchers with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center—Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to help detect pancreatic cancer earlier or even in precancerous stages.