Technology Training and Dissemination

ABSTRACT – Technology Training and Dissemination (TTD) Technology Training and Dissemination (TTD) is an essential part of the Center’s resources, necessary to facilitate the use of our existing and new technology and software by scientists outside the Center. The goals of the TTD component are to educate and train researchers to utilize the Center’s resources in their own research and to disseminate the Center’s virtual imaging tools and resources to the scientific community. To accomplish these goals, the TTD will implement training and dissemination approaches that meet the diverse needs of a broad biomedical community, including both novice and specialist users. These approaches will ensure that a growing community of researchers can effectively use the Center’s resources in their work and provide feedback that will benefit the Center’s activities. The training plan comprises in-person training through on-site and off-site workshops, on-site residencies, and ongoing interactions through seminars and scientific forums. The dissemination plan comprises resources to access the Center’s virtual imaging trial (VIT) tools, access documentation (user manuals, video guides), obtain support for running and execution, and access sample code with preconfigured datasets and subcomponents of the VIT tools. Subcomponents include the 3D and 4D patient models (“virtual patients”) from TRD1, the CT simulation programs (“virtual scanners”) from TRD2, and the machine learning and task-based analysis tools (“virtual readers”) from TRD3. Software integration and development will be supported by the Duke Health Technology Solutions (DHTS) office and managed by two full-time software personnel. The training and dissemination components will be made available through a website, developed and managed by the Center, which will outline the technological and educational resources available to the community and information on how to access them. The website will also be used to collect feedback on existing tools and new desired upgrades from users, which will constantly help the Center improve its offerings. The research team will leverage its strong ties with other Duke departments and its rich track record of training and technology dissemination to provide a robust and comprehensive TTD component to advance the Center’s mission.