Research

ICTR Medical Informatics Core

Master
Content

The mission of the Medical Informatics Core is to provide access to local sources of big data and lend expertise in the form of consultation or collaboration in advanced methods to analyze these data. Through well-developed processes, the Core has access to BCM’s Data Warehouse containing Baylor Medicine and Baylor St. Luke’s data and BCM’s ‘Omics Data Lake as well as data from Texas Children’s Hospital, Harris Health, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Hospital, BCM-Temple, National CommonSpirit Health, CommonSpirit Health—Texas Division, the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C), and Epic Cosmos and serves as an honest data broker. This Core uses informatics tools and methods, such as deep learning, machine learning, natural language processing, and advanced predictive modelling approaches to translate data into the information and knowledge needed to address novel research questions.

Services include:

  • Assist researchers with extracting an analytic data set
  • Provide one-on-one guidance on use of local dashboards, data sharing tools, and software, including Redcap, biobanking, and matching for clinical trials
  • Provide researchers with access to preliminary data to support trial grants
  • Writing on informatics topics for grants or manuscripts, including natural language processing, machine learning, and advanced predictive modeling
  • Train and educate users about local data sources and tools

If your project needs local data and advanced analytical techniques to address your research questions, or you are thinking about starting a medical informatics project and would like some guidance with what to do next, contact the Medical Informatics Core for an initial consultation

Medical Informatics Core Team

  • Jessica Davila Ph.D. – Associate Professor
  • Appolo McOwiti – Solutions Architect
  • Heidi Dowst – Senior Manager, Software Engineering & Programming
  • Gloria Liao, Master of Science OM/IT – Lead, Data Analytics
  • Elmer Bernstam, Ph.D. - Health Informatics Director, UTHSC CCTS Biomedical Informatics Group    
  • Hardeep Singh, M.D., MPH - Clinical Informatics IQuEST Chief of Health Policy, Quality, and Informatics        
  • Andrew Zimolzak, M.D., MMSc - Medical Informatics Assistant Professor of Medicine and Health Services Research        
  • Cristian Coarfa, Ph.D. - Bioinformatics Associate Professor, Dept. of Molecular & Cell Biology        
  • Abiodun Oluyomi, Ph.D. - Public Health Informatics Leader, BCM Biomedical Geospatial Analytics Lab    
  • Susan Hilsenbeck, Ph.D. - Data management Director, Quantitative Sciences Shared Resource
  • Bijan Najafi, Ph.D. - Data Science, Wearable Technologies Co-Director, Stream HealthCare in Place Center        
  • LeChauncy Woodard, M.D., MPH - Biomedical Scientists and Clinician Director, Humana Integrated Health System Institute        
  • Ravi Aron, Ph.D. - Business Analytics, Process Improvement Professor, UH C. T. Bauer College of Business        
  • Vamshi Punugoti, Master of Science - Systems Development BCM Executive Director for Research and Data