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Dependable Data Driven Discovery National Research Traineeship (D4 NRT)

This work is partially supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2152117. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Short alt text Infographic titled “Our Research Training,” showing the D4 program’s approach to AI risk management and its research training activities. Full text description follows. Full description Our Research Training AI Risk Management in D4 Research Risks: labeled data bottleneck, bias, uncertainty, and model opacity. At the center is a red circle with “D4” written in gold. A ring of text around the circle lists the disciplines involved: Chemical and Biological Engineering, Biology, Statistics, Mathematics, and Computer Science. Four hands reach around the circle as if protecting it. Each hand is labeled with a goal of trustworthy AI: Generalizability, Fairness, Transparency and Interpretability, and Uncertainty Estimation. The program’s training areas surround the graphic: Communicating to Diverse Audiences D4 Annual Research Symposium Industry experience and outreach initiatives Communications in Science course High School and Community Outreach 4-H staff training Launch of “AI Jumpstart” teacher training Sacred Heart Middle School data science workshop Co-host of the ISU Science Olympiad Professional Development Clifton Strengths leadership training Implicit bias Career planning Self branding and networking Internship advice AI ethics Industry Partners Corteva, Ames Lab, Merck, Principal, Kingland, Microsoft, MathWorks, and industry members of the D4 Executive Advisory Council. Multi-Tier Graduate and Undergraduate Training Multi-tier mentoring program Interdisciplinary team-based coursework: Risk Management in Data Driven Discovery D4 Data Science Boot Camp (6 weeks) Trainee development of boot camp educational resources Three more training areas appear along the bottom of the image, as headings only: Team Science, Interdisciplinary Research, and AI Ethics.

 

 

OUR COMMITMENT

To train next-generation scientists and engineers in formal foundations, methodology, and tools for assessing and mitigating risks of data-driven discovery from biological and other data.

Our Interdisciplinary Leadership Team: 

  • Dr. Wallapak Tavanapong (Computer Science)
  • Dr. Surya Mallapragada (Chemical & Biological Engineering)
  • Dr. Eric Weber (Mathematics)
  • Dr. Dan Nettleton (Statistics)
  • Dr. Qi Li (Computer Science)
  • Dr. Iddo Friedberg (Bioinformatics)
  • Dr. Baskar Ganapathysubramanian (Mechanical Engineering)
  • Dr. Adisak Sukul (Computer Science). 

 

Collage of D4 Cohorts Participating in Activities

What is a National Research Traineeship (NRT)?

The Dependable Data-Driven Discovery (D4) NRT at Iowa State University is an interdisciplinary training program designed to prepare the next generation of researchers to address dependability challenges in AI and data science. D4 fellows identify and mitigate key risks in data science lifecycles, such as bias and uncertainty, using innovative approaches and collaborative problem-solving. The program emphasizes professional development, teamwork, and practical research, equipping participants from diverse disciplines to advance dependable data-driven discovery and excel in multidisciplinary teams.

The D4 curriculum includes a comprehensive boot camp, specialized coursework, research projects, seminars, soft skills training, and industry experiential learning, all of which can be completed over 18 months. 

Scholarships and Awards

D4 now offers two $2,000 awards to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and permanent residents.

New students in the Graduate Certificate in Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for AI Practitioners can receive a $2,000 scholarship each semester, starting in Spring 2027. Scholarships are limited and early applicants get priority, so apply to the certificate by November 1, 2026.

D4 trainees and certificate students who first-author a paper accepted at a top-tier conference can earn a $2,000 Excellence Recognition Award.

Explore scholarships and awards link · Apply to the certificate link

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