Research

Cores

Biomedical Data Sets and Services Core

Led by Center Director Donna K. Ginther, the Biomedical Data Sets and Services Core has been established to:

• Link biomedical, environmental, and health records data to survey data that collects demographic, marital status, family structure, education, and employment data to understand how behavior, environment, and biology combine to influence health outcomes
• Expand services and expertise beyond federal datasets to encompass all types of data utilized by Research Project Leaders 

The BDSSC assists RPLs with data discovery and procurement for project development, builds analysis datasets, provides statistical analysis for project execution, and expands core productivity to support COBRE stakeholders including RPLs, mentors, new faculty, and other biomedical and social science researchers. Researchers at KU and across our region will have access to the BDSSC as the first data services center in the region, supporting additional biomedical research funding in the ever-advancing field of complex data science. Filling a research resource gap on campus, this center facilitates data-intensive research across the biomedical, behavioral, health, and social sciences to support fundamental research designed to improve health outcomes.

Administrative and Professional Development Core

Led by Center Director Heather Desaire, the Administrative and Professional Development Core is designed to:

• Build a critical mass of researchers who leverage large biomedical data sets to study and improve the health of women
• Foster cross-disciplinary collaborations

A multi-pronged approach has been developed to achieve these goals. This includes recruiting talented new faculty, engaging existing faculty with backgrounds in data science or women’s health research, providing training and support for cross-disciplinary research, and supporting a strong cadre of Research Project Leaders. The Engaged Faculty Fellows Program furthers these efforts by providing resources, mentorship, and a collaborative network to drive innovation and excellence in women's health research.