Data, Epidemiology & Statistics for Clinical & Population Health Investigation

From Great Ideas to Clear Results (I2R), a year-long course starting annually in mid-August; it utilizes a mix of didactic and “flipped classroom” sessions and mentored laboratory exercises, with a synchronous and virtual class occurring weekly. Topics covered include epidemiology, study design, data computing, and biostatistics, all at an introductory level. Participants will learn to use Stata to manage and analyze data, and to interpret basic statistical analyses in the clinical literature.

To make the course as engaging and efficacious as possible, learners are expected to attend at least 80% of classes. We hope this will also yield an inspirational cohort effect among the participants.

Target Audience

Dell Med faculty and trainees who could benefit from learning about research design are encouraged to apply. This includes new-to-research faculty, early career faculty, fellows, and residents.

Program Schedule

Learners may apply to take Research Methods 1+2 only or Research Methods and Data Computing/Biostatistics in the summer. If you have any questions about what each course offers after reviewing the curriculum please reach out to Leta Moser.

Learner Access

All course materials are held on Canvas. Accepted learners can expect to be added to Research Methods 1 (and if applicable, Introduction to Data Computing) in August for the fall semester, and Research Methods 2 (and Introduction to Biostatistics with Stata, if signed up for) in December for the spring semester. If you have any trouble accessing Canvas please let Leta Moser know.

Matriculate Costs

This program is generously sponsored by the Health Transformation Research Institute (HTRI) and the Biomedical Data Science Hub. However, matriculates are expected to cover the costs of the necessary class material, including:

Designing Clinical Research, Fourth Edition -by Dr. Stephen B Hulley MD MPH, Steven R Cummings MD, Warren S Browner MD MPH, Deborah G Grady MD MPH, Thomas B Newman MD MPH ($75). Note: UT libraries do have an electronic copy of this book! (Those participating only in research methods solely need this book.)

A Gentle Introduction to Stata (6th ed) -by Alan C Acock ($65). Note: UT libraries also have an electronic copy of this book! (for those participating in IDC/IBS)

and

Stata/BE Software ($94, for those participating in IDC/IBS). Note: STATA software is accessible for in person access in the PCL Media lab (currently iMacs, eventually Windows).

How to Apply

Application for the 2023-2024 session has closed. However, if you are interested in applying for the next cycle, please check back in early June 2024.

Individual applications include:

• your Curriculum vitae

• Department Chair letter committing to ensure that the applicant is free from clinical or other duties during class sessions and (if applicable) accounts for travel time to/from (template here)
• Letter of support from your research mentor indicating mentor's commitment to provide ongoing hands-on mentorship throughout I2R, particularly during the development of RM2 research projects (template here)
• a short description of your anticipated research project. Individual applicants will be notified by late June of the selection committee’s decision.

Program directors who are interested in several of their trainees (residents and/or fellows) participating in I2R are welcome to complete this streamlined application (which will open in early summer 2024).

Any questions or application issues may be directed to Leta Moser.

Core Program Faculty

Darlene Bhavnani, Ph.D., MPH, is an Assistant Professor and Infectious Disease Epidemiologist, both in the Department of Population Health, and also is serving as an associate course director for I2R's Research Methods series. She also serves as the chief epidemiologist for COVID-19 Contact Tracing at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Bhavnani’s research interests include conducting research on infectious disease transmission, strengthening health and surveillance systems and the design and evaluation of public health interventions.

Alison G. Cahill, M.D., M.S.C.I., is Professor of Women’s Health and the Director of the Dell Medical School Health Transformation Research Institute. She is a perinatologist and clinician-scientist, and is widely recognized for her outcomes-based research which focuses on pregnancy and labor and delivery management and the impact on maternal and child health.

Paul Rathouz, Ph.D., is Professor of Biostatistics in Population Health and Director of the Biomedical Data Science Hub at Dell Med. The Hub is a collaborative resource for data science activity, including both clinical and population health biostatistics and bioinformatics, among other quantitative areas. Rathouz is a biostatistician by training with collaborative experience in observational and clinical investigation, health services research, developmental psychopathology, and developmental disabilities, among other areas.

Jenny Spencer, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Population Health, and Internal Medicine; additionally she is serving as an associate course director for I2R's Research Methods series. Her research uses econometric and decision science methods to focus on improving equity in cancer screening and prevention. Since joining Dell Medical in 2021, she has expanded her work on HPV vaccination to study inequities in cancer screening and cancer prevention — including cervical, breast and colorectal cancer — by race, ethnicity, income and sexual orientation.

Last updated 12/15/23