Faculty and staff from the BERD Unit at the TN-CTSI at UTHSC have contributed a project on local COVID-19 data. In addition to generating static graphics on the disease severity in the region, researchers have also created interactive web-based maps using RShiny. These maps allow users to Zoom in precisely on any region of the country and watch the progression of the epidemic over time. Notably, the maps self-update, daily as new data is released to the public.
Dr. Steven Goodman, vice chancellor for Research at UTHSC, cuts the ribbon on the new offices of the Tennessee Clinical and Translational Science Institute (TN-CTSI) located on the second floor of 66 North Pauline. (Photo by Lee Ferguson/UTHSC)
TN-CTSI was established in 2018 to address the health inequalities in the state of Tennessee. Its mission is to stimulate the discovery and translation of biomedical research into clinical practice to improve population health through a diverse set of services and resources. By providing critical education and training, funding opportunities, resources and interdisciplinary expertise, the institute helps clinical and translational researchers advance their discoveries and develop novel therapies aimed at improving health care for all.
Steven Goodman, PhD, vice chancellor for Research at UTHSC, presided over the ribbon cutting. “The TN-CTSI is an important catalyst for the efficient translation of scientific discoveries into interventions that improve human health. The Office of Research is proud to help foster the TN-CTSI and provide resources necessary for their success.” During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dr. Goodman said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Kennard Brown in particular for his support in the development of these beautiful facilities.” Dr. Brown is the executive vice chancellor and chief operations officer at UTHSC.
“We’re happy to introduce our new space to both the university and local community,” said Michelle Martin, PhD, co-leader of TN-CTSI and director of the Center for Innovation in Health Equity Research: A Community Cancer Alliance for Transformational Change at UTHSC and professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine. “It will enhance the TN-CTSI’s efficiency and responsiveness to both our research and community stakeholders, and further our work in addressing the pressing health needs of our region and state.”
Karen C. Johnson, MD, MPH, is TN-CTSI’s other leader and chair and Endowed Professor of Women’s Health in the UTHSC Department of Preventive Medicine. She noted, “With this new space, we’ve established a sustainable foundation within the UTHSC campus. We not only have consolidated our offices into one central location, we now have a state-of-the-art training facility, room to grow our staff, and expand our services and reach. We are honored and excited for this milestone.”
The TN-CTSI can be reached by phone at 901-448-2874 or by email at tnctsi@uthsc.edu. Additional information on TN-CTSI programming can be found at https:/tnctsi.uthsc.edu/.
Enhancing Statistical Methods in Grants and Papers
Modern biomedical research relies heavily on statistical reasoning and data analysis. Journal and research grant reviewers are increasingly examining the statistical analysis sections more closely. We will outline reporting guidelines such as ARRIVE, CONSORT, and STROBE for animal pre-clinical studies, randomized trials, and observational studies, respectively. In case, you need further assistance we suggest you make a BERD clinic appointment to seek advice from an epidemiology or biostatistics faculty member. If a more elaborate engagement is needed, you might want to consider starting a consulting project or a research collaboration. We will discuss what to expect in those interactions to help decide what route might be best for your research.
TN-CTSI seminar series on statistical reasoning in biomedical research: The Division of Biostatistics in the Department of Preventive Medicine and the Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design Unit of TN-CTSI invite you to attend a seminar series on statistical reasoning in biomedical research. This is the final seminar in the 6-seminar series.
The Perfect Doctor: An introduction to Causal Inference
Consider a Perfect Doctor that has the magical ability to pick from two treatments always the one that is better for each given patient. Can we learn about treatment effects by observing the outcomes for the individual patients treated by that doctor? What exactly can we learn and what will remain hidden? We will look in detail into this situation and thereby clarify concepts such as individual, average, and causal treatment effects; factual and potential outcomes; random assignment of treatments; and expected vs. observed outcomes in clinical studies. This seminar provides a non-technical introduction to causal inference in the medical sciences.
TN-CTSI seminar series on statistical reasoning in biomedical research: The Division of Biostatistics in the Department of Preventive Medicine and the Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design Unit of TN-CTSI invite you to attend a seminar series on statistical reasoning in biomedical research. This 6-seminar series emphasizes conceptual aspects over technical details.
Final Seminar in the Series:
June 4th Enhancing Statistical Methods in Grants and Papers (Saunak Sen, PhD)
Keywords: Individual, average, and causal treatment effects; factual and potential outcomes; random assignment of treatments; expected vs. observed outcomes.
