The University of Texas at Austin has received a 2025 Governor’s University Research Initiative (GURI) grant to support the recruitment of Charles A. Taylor as director of its new Center for Computational Medicine. Taylor, who is recognized internationally for his work in applying artificial intelligence to health care technology and improving cardiovascular disease diagnosis, joined the university earlier this year. He aims to establish Austin as a center for digital health care innovation.
The Center for Computational Medicine is a joint effort between UT’s Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences and Dell Medical School, which serves as the anchor institution for the University of Texas Medical Center. The center will focus on developing medical applications and computational models to simulate disease progression, predict outcomes, and tailor patient care. This approach supports UT’s efforts to build an integrated academic health system.
“Texas leads the nation for Tier One research universities and is home to some of the brightest minds whose advancements in research and innovative new technologies are changing the world,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “I congratulate Dr. Charles Taylor, a distinguished researcher and member of the National Academy of Engineering, on his award from the Governor’s University Research Initiative to lead the new Center for Computational Medicine at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Taylor is an internationally recognized leader in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital twin technology. Through his world-class knowledge, he will further develop advanced medical applications leveraging artificial intelligence. Texas will continue to invest in higher education research by attracting top-tier researchers from around the world through the GURI program, improving the lives of Texans for generations.”
“The excellence of UT is built on world-class faculty like Dr. Taylor and sustained by the support of Gov. Greg Abbott and the UT System Board of Regents,” said UT President Jim Davis. “We are incredibly grateful to our state leaders for their support through the Governor’s University Research Initiative.”
Taylor founded Heartflow, where he developed a noninvasive tool that uses imaging technology to simulate blood flow through coronary arteries; this was the first AI-enabled technology included in cardiology clinical practice guidelines in the United States. In 2023, it was recognized by The New England Journal of Medicine AI as being widely adopted across U.S. health care systems.
Taylor is also a member of both the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and was elected to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering in 2007. He holds a Ph.D in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and currently occupies both an endowed chair at Oden Institute and a professorship at Dell Medical School.
He becomes only the third person from UT Austin to receive funding under GURI since its establishment in 2015 by Governor Abbott; this matching grant program helps higher education institutions attract leading researchers with goals that include spurring innovation and economic growth throughout Texas.
