Our Mission

THRIVE-TN is dedicated to empowering new and emerging researchers, educators, and students in Tennessee and the Mid-South region by providing interdisciplinary training in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot resources.

Through collaborative workshops, community engagement, and strategic partnerships, we aim to address critical health disparities—such as chronic diseases, maternal and infant health issues, and access gaps in underserved rural and urban areas—by fostering innovative, AI-driven solutions that bridge medical, biotechnological, computational, and cyberinfrastructure disciplines.

We commit to building research capacity, promoting ethical AI practices, and leveraging regional networks like the TN Health Disparities Advisory Group to drive equitable health advancements and interdisciplinary collaborations.

OUR TEAM

Tennessee Tech University

Picture of Anthony Skjellum

Anthony Skjellum

Principal Investigator

Picture of Amr Hilal

Amr Hilal

Co-Principal Investigator

Picture of Jesse Roberts

Jesse Roberts

Co-Principal Investigator

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Picture of Tabitha Samuel

Tabitha Samuel

Principal Investigator

Picture of Vasileios Maroulas

Vasileios Maroulas

Co-Principal Investigator

Picture of Courtney Cronley

Courtney Cronley

Co-Principal Investigator

Picture of Hector Santos-Villalobos

Hector Santos-Villalobos

Co-Principal Investigator

Picture of Fatima Zahra

Fatima Zahra

Co-Principal Investigator

Meharry Medical College

Picture of Lei Qian

Lei Qian

Principal Investigator

Vanderbilt University

Picture of Bennett Landman

Bennett Landman

Principal Investigator

Workshops



Workshop 1

Knoxville, Spring 2026



Workshop 2

Nashville, Summer 2026



Workshop 3

Memphis, Fall 2026