Program 08 Cancer Data Sciences

Cancer Data Sciences Program Project Summary / Abstract The DF/HCC Program in Cancer Data Sciences (CDS) fosters a broad range of research in statistical, computational, and mathematical questions that arise in cancer investigations. The interests, expertise, and research approaches of the members contribute to the aims of the Program and DF/HCC directly and through inter-disciplinary projects of Program members with others across population, clinical, and basic cancer research. The focus on innovation, grant-supported research, formal training, and transdisciplinary collaboration distinguish the CDS Program from the service focus of the Biostatistics Shared Resource. The Program’s 62 members (46 primary and 16 secondary) represent all seven DF/HCC institutions and 13 academic departments. In 2019, peer-reviewed grant funding attributed to the Program was $9.2 million in direct costs from the NCI and $4.0 million from other sponsors. During the current funding period, primary CDS Program members published 1,123 cancer-relevant papers. Of these, 37% were inter-institutional, 8% were intra-programmatic and 57% were inter-programmatic collaborations between two or more DF/HCC members. The Program’s Specific Aims are to 1) develop and disseminate Data Science that responds to emerging unmet needs regarding study design, data organization, data integration, and data analysis in population, clinical, and basic cancer research studies, and 2) develop innovative new software for implementation of these methods. To realize the full potential of these Aims, Program members collaborate extensively across the consortium to help achieve the Cancer Center’s strategic goals. We also aim to equip a new generation of researchers with the creativity and quantitative skills necessary to tackle difficult cancer problems.