Student Experience

Doctoral student selected for prestigious computer science training program

Mirna Elizondo, a doctoral student in computer science at TXST, has been accepted into the AIM-AHEAD NCATS Cohort 2 Training Program, a traineeship in advanced data analysis.

March 6, 2025
Kate Malazonia

Mirna Elizondo, a doctoral student in computer science at Texas State University, has been accepted into the AIM-AHEAD NCATS Cohort 2 Training Program, a traineeship in advanced data analysis. Selected as one of 15 graduate students from hundreds of applicants, Elizondo will contribute to addressing healthcare disparities using artificial intelligence and data science.

NCATS Training Program

The NCATS training opportunity was designed to “reduce barriers for researchers when accessing and analyzing real-world clinical data,” allowing scholars such as Elizondo to conduct novel research at the intersection of AI/ML and health disparities with data collected from communities under-resourced in biomedical research.

Elizondo will receive a stipend of $10,000 through the program. With this, she aims to focus on analyzing and refining noisy healthcare datasets, such as the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) and Education Tenants, to investigate how biological markers, geographical distribution, and environmental factors influence health outcomes. Additionally, Elizondo hopes to identify key predictors of diseases like diabetes, evaluate disparities in care across different populations, and propose targeted interventions to improve health equity.

“This work provides data-driven insights to support evidence-based decision-making, particularly for underserved and marginalized communities,” Elizondo said.

Elizondo’s research has a significant societal impact, particularly in precision healthcare. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, Elizondo’s work will enable healthcare professionals to develop personalized treatments that improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary interventions.

Dedication to Advancing Health Equity

Elizondo’s commitment to addressing health disparities is deeply personal. After her bachelor’s degree from TXST in Fall 2020, Elizondo returned to pursue her Ph.D. in computer science in Fall 2022.

“As a first-generation Mexican American, I am motivated to use my skills to tackle systemic challenges and advocate for equitable healthcare access for underserved communities,” she said.

Elizondo’s research advisor Jelena Tešić, Ph.D., has been guiding her through complex projects since Fall 2022. Tešić had many praises about Elizondo, describing her as a “highly self-motivated” student.

“Mirna is an outstanding researcher with a kind heart and a deep commitment to making the world a better place for people, animals, and even plants — I call her an 'orchid whisperer,'” Tešić said.

Tešić further emphasized Elizondo’s exceptional dedication to both research and mentorship.

Mirna Elizondo poses for a photo at the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Big Data.
Mirna Elizondo poses for a photo at the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Big Data.

“As a first-generation student from a disadvantaged background, Mirna represents the future of academia,” she said. “She brings diverse perspectives, a relentless work ethic, and a passion for solving critical problems. I am excited to continue working with her and confident that her impact will be profound, not just in research but also as a role model for future generations of students who face similar challenges in pursuing higher education.”

Thanks to the Department of Computer Science, Elizondo recently attended the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Big Data (IEEE BigData) in Washington, D.C., her first time travelling outside the state of Texas. Her poster, titled AI/ML Pipeline for Predicting Diabetic Readmission from CMS OASIS, was accepted and she presented it in the two-day poster sessions.

Future Prospects and Continued Impact

This program adds to Elizondo’s impressive roster of awards and accolades, which include:

  • 2022–2023 GANN Fellowship
  • 2022-2023 Women in STEM Initiatives Scholarship
  • January 2024-December 2026 Run to R1 Fellowship
  • 2025 Journal Publication in the IEEE Access
  • Leader of TXST's involvement in the NCATS tasks on the Palantir platform

Mirna will join Tešić in teaching the Applied AI workshop to TXST faculty and graduate students in May, funded by the NSF ExpandAI grant through the Texas State Center of Analytics and Data Science.

Elizondo encourages future applicants to the AIM-AHEAD programs to seek guidance and align their applications with the program’s values.

“Reach out to previous awardees or grant organizations for advice on formatting and materials — it can save you hours,” she said. “Also, focus on word choices that align with the organization’s values. Highlight local collaborations and efforts to promote inclusion.”

With her passion, resilience, and commitment to innovation, Elizondo is poised to leave a lasting impact on the field and inspire the next generation of scholars.

For more information, contact University Communications:

Jayme Blaschke, 512-245-2555

Shilpa Bakre, 512-408-4464