Program Details
Vision
Scientists routinely process and analyze large amounts of data for information extraction, discovery, and decision making. Tackling these emerging data-intensive problems requires a new generation of scientists with interdisciplinary skills and ability to understand scientific questions, apply appropriate data analysis methods, and communicate the results in a meaningful way. This is especially true in biomedical sciences, where data-intensive studies have led to a new paradigm in scientific research.
Because of emerging and rapidly expanding biomedical technologies (e.g., single-cell sequencing in cell biology, high-density electrophysiological recordings in neurobiology, wearable devices in digital health) and the abundance of high-throughput studies, this area is at a tipping point, where a timely investment in developing modern data analysis methods could lead to an unprecedented number of breakthroughs and discoveries. To achieve this goal, we propose a new training program, called Statistical Training to Enhance the Excellence of Research (STEER) in Biomedical Sciences, to train the next generation of scientists with deep understanding of statistical methods and their applications in biomedical sciences. STEER will provide cross-disciplinary research training and career preparation opportunities at the intersection of biomedical sciences and biostatistics (i.e., statistical methods inspired by and applied to biomedical problems) for PhD students with diverse backgrounds.
Our goal is to create the required infrastructure to systematically identify emerging data-intensive biomedical problems in the field of biomedical sciences, and facilitate efficient and effective collaborations among domain scientists and biostatisticians by providing professional development and research training for the next generation of scientists who can work productively in interdisciplinary biomedical science teams to solve real-world problems using principled data analysis methods.
Curriculum and Overall Training Plan
STEER facilitates rigorous training in biostatistical methods and their applications in biomedical sciences through 1) cross-disciplinary coursework and research projects, 2) research training and co-mentoring, and 3) transferable professional skills and career development.
Cross-disciplinary Coursework and Curriculum
Because our trainees come from various cultural and academic backgrounds, they will attend a one-week bootcamp during the summer before starting the program as full fellows to ensure that they are ready to contribute to their research projects. This bootcamp will cover a variety of topics including introduction to R, Python, Git, and GitHub, along with the foundations of biostatistics and biomedical sciences. Additionally, the bootcamp will include a workshop on team science organized by the UCI Team Scholarship Acceleration Lab (TSAL) to teach our fellows how to conduct a productive interdisciplinary collaboration.
Research Training
STEER provides research training on developing rigorous statistical/biostatistical methodologies motivated by biomedical problems.
Biostatistical Methodology
STEER provides research training on developing rigorous statistical/biostatistical methodologies motivated by biomedical problems. We will train our students on foundations of biostatistics (mostly covered on our required core courses). Additionally, through mentoring, a series of elective courses, and workshops, we will help them develop modern biostatistical methods for data-intensive biomedical research. More specifically, we will focus on four major areas: 1) scientific study design, 2) data integration across multiple scales and modalities, 3) modeling dynamic networks, and 4) developing rigorous predictive models for disease diagnosis and treatment response.
Convergence Biomedical Research
Our trainees participates in a wide range of convergence research projects including: 1) cellular and molecular biology, 2) neuroscience, 3) smart health, and 4) population health.
Ethics, Reproducibility, and Responsible Conduct of Research
We consider preparation in ethics to be as valuable as technical training in biostatistics and biomedical sciences. Our trainees will participate in a workshop on responsible conduct of research (RCR) offered by the UCI Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) and the UCI Office of Research. This workshop that includes the following topics: Overview of Institutional and NIH Policy, Conflict of Interest, Animal Research, Human Research, Research Misconduct, Data Management, Reproducibility of Research, and Collaborative Research, Mentoring, and Authorship. In addition, they learn about open and reproducible science.
Career Development
Our program provides dedicated training in scientific communication and opportunities to give seminars/presentations at local and national events. Additionally, all trainees take a variety of workshops on 1) job search strategies, 2) resume writing, 3) interview techniques, and 4) networking.
Application
Trainees are selected based on their academic performance, research interests, and career goals. Applicants should submit the following items:
A two-page Research Plan that outlines a proposed research project,
A one-page Career Goals Summary that describes how the research project relates to the candidate’s career goals,
Transcripts from undergraduate and graduate education,
An NIH-style biosketch, and
Letters of support from two faculty mentors (one from statistics/biostatistics and one from biomedical sciences) indicating their support of the trainee’s research, as well as their plans for career development and continued training of the candidate.