In joint support of the NIAMS research vision and the ongoing/future investigations of the UAB Building and InnovatinG: Digital heAlth Technology and Analytics (BIGDATA) Core Center for Clinical Research user base, the mission of the BIGDATA Methodologic Core is to provide and facilitate the development of state-of-the-art methodology and methodological education in collaborative support of clinical and translational research in rheumatic, musculoskeletal, and skin diseases. To achieve this mission, the Methodologic Core will provide the leadership and expertise in biostatistics, bioinformatics, epidemiology, outcomes research, statistical genetics, clinical and bioinformatics, data visualization, image analysis and implementation science required to develop and conduct cutting-edge clinical research in rheumatic, musculoskeletal, and skin diseases by implementing the following 3 specific aims:
Aim 1 : Through Design and Analysis Studios (DAS), the Methodologic Core in conjunction with our Data Capture and Integration (DCI) Core will meet with the CCCR research base investigators to implement existing/new Data Capture and Integration approaches, design real time data management approaches, implement data visualization and analysis approaches, as well as facilitate the design and implementation of future BIGDATA supported research projects;
Aim 2 : Support ongoing research activities and new grant applications by the BIGDATA research base by providing comprehensive methodologic expertise.
Aim 3 : Leverage the administrative oversight of the UAB BIGDATA Administrative Core to create content designed to educate and train both new and established clinical investigators in the most current methods of research, evaluation, and analysis applicable to rheumatic, musculoskeletal, and skin diseases with a unique emphasis on technology, digital health, and mobile health (mHealth) data capture and analysis. To achieve these aims and building on the foundation of our previously funded P60 Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center the BIGDATA Methodologic Core has gathered a diverse team spanning the research spectrum with expertise in biostatistics, bioinformatics, statistical genetics, epidemiology, image analysis, clinical & bioinformatics, as well as implementation science. Our experts have proficiency in clinical trial and other types of study design, power calculations and sample size simulations, efficient database design, database management, analysis of large data sets including global gene expression, genome-wide genotype, next-generation sequencing (NGS), microbiome, and metagenome data, image analysis, biosensor data analysis, machine learning, statistical learning models, deep learning, observational study design and analytic approaches appropriate for observational studies (case-control matching, propensity score methods), and health informatics research. In collaboration with the Administrative and DCI Cores the Methodologic Core will be available to the Center's research base to assist with the design of new projects utilizing novel data capture platforms to measure and record outcomes essential to addressing the mission of NIAMS.
