Program Description

Effective management of knowledge resources is essential to advancing the pursuit of new research findings in clinical and translational research. Therefore, a well functioning biomedical informatics program, integrated with all other CTSC programs, is a crucial element in realizing the UC Davis CTSC. To meet the vast communication, information, data collection, and processing needs of the CTSC, we have harnessed all of the considerable existing informatics resources at UC Davis. Through this integrative effort, our considerable computing and informatics resources serves as an essential tool for the transformative power of the CTSC. The overall goal of the CTSC Biomedical Informatics Program is to provide support services, technical infrastructure, and education to all CTSC programs at UC Davis, and to contribute to the creation of a national CTSA informatics network, designed to support all aspects of clinical and translational research, including efficient dissemination of research advances.

Provide informatics support and expertise for CTSC researchers by:

1. Effective leadership and management to coordinate biomedical informatics resources as an effective and responsive unit.
2. Consistent involvement in the CTSC of experienced faculty members from the multidisciplinary Health Informatics Graduate Group.
3. Continuous data management consultation and development support to streamline technical operations for individual studies.

Develop a flexible and innovative technical informatics software and hardware environment that facilitate the work of CTSC investigators through:

1. Leveraging existing software and technology to minimize duplication of effort by CTSC investigators - "doing things better."
2. Creation of Web-based capabilities to support all CTSC activities.
3. Expanding operations and infrastructure to improve technical services and solutions - "doing better things."
4. Development of a Coding Standards Architect role to effectively ensure use of national standards;
5. Fostering sharing of data, technology, and best practices through inter- and intra-organizational communication.