Cores
Call Us
(615) 343-8776
tn-cfar@vumc.org
About the TN CFAR DSC
Thoughtful study design, data collection, statistical analysis, and tool development are essential to high quality HIV/AIDS research. The CFAR Data Sciences Core (DSC) has been a critical component of the CFAR and will continue to pursue its overarching goal of elevating the quality of HIV/AIDS research. The DSC has provided statistical and informatics support to HIV/AIDS investigators at VUMC, MMC, CARES and TDH. The DSC consults with Development Core Award applicants prior to submission, provides guaranteed statistical/informatics support for award recipients, and actively collaborates with CFAR investigators at all participating institutions. The DSC collaborates closely with other cores and develops novel resources, tools, and methods to enhance HIV/AIDS research at the participating institutions and beyond. The DSC team has broad HIV research experience, including leadership roles for international HIV research consortia, long-standing collaborations with HIV investigators, experience handling and analyzing large genomic datasets, and proven track records of developing novel methods and tools informed by and beneficial to the HIV research community.
Specific Aims of the DSC
- Provide biostatistics, bioinformatics, and research informatics support for the CFAR
- Develop databases, tools, and methods to advance HIV research in the CFAR and beyond
- Provide data science training to CFAR investigators
Data curation, harmonization, and analysis are central components of high-quality HIV research. Since the Tennessee CFAR was established, its Biostatistics and Biomedical Informatics Core (BBIC, now transitioned to and referred to as the Data Sciences Core, DSC) has been integral to the CFAR’s success. The DSC has provided statistical guidance to over 80 unique HIV researchers as part of its highly popular walk-in CFAR Data Science Clinics, which rotate weekly among VUMC, MMC, and TDH. The DSC has worked closely with the Development Core (DC) to strengthen DC applications, complete work described in DC proposals, and help junior investigators apply for and obtain NIH funding. The DSC has invited inspiring HIV data scientists from outside Tennessee to share knowledge and strengthen cross-institutional collaborations. The DSC has developed shareable data tools and analytic methods in support of the CFAR and helped TDH with data linkage and analyses, building trust and opening up new research opportunities. The DSC’s overall mission remains: to provide broad data-related support for the CFAR scientific and developmental program and to elevate the quality of HIV research. Based on the outcomes of CFAR strategic planning initiatives, the DSC leadership, aims, and services will grow to address new areas broadly requested by the CFAR member community. We will expand our support in two key areas, data support for community partners and bioinformatics.
Provide biostatistics, bioinformatics, and research informatics support for the CFAR
We will offer our weekly, on-site, walk-in, HIV-focused biostatistics and research informatics clinics rotating among VUMC, MMC, and TDH, while newly adding bioinformatics clinics at VUMC and biostatistics/research informatics clinics at community partner, Nashville CARES. We will continue to collaborate in pre-submission with all DC Award applicants and provide guaranteed post-award support for DC awardees.
Develop databases, tools, and methods to advance HIV research in the CFAR and beyond
Specific initiatives focused on methods and tools development include development of informatics tools to improve data resources, management, and sharing across institutions; forms and database creation, statistical methods to permit more efficient use of HIV datasets; and bioinformatics pipelines to streamline analyses.
Provide data science training to CFAR investigators
We will provide training for investigators during our walk-in clinics (linked to Aim 1), one-on-one collaborations, and other settings; participate in CFAR Works-in-Progress sessions, HIV journal clubs, and Scientific Working Group (SWG) meetings; and organize three CFAR biostatistics/research informatics/bioinformatics seminars per year focused on bringing outside data scientists to the CFAR, to speak on tools and methods development necessary to advance HIV research.
Services Offered
- Weekly walk-in data science clinics (For more information, click here)
- Statistical and biomedical informatics support
- Development of databases, tools and methods to advance HIV research
- Training in biostatistics and biomedical informatics
DSC Leadership
Bryan Shepherd, PhD
Core Director | View Profile Here
Stephany Duda, PhD
Associate Director | View Profile Here