Biostatistics, Epidemiologic, and Bioinformatic Training in Environmental Health (BEBTEH)

PROJECT ABSTRACT The goal of the BEBTEH training grant, "Biostatistics, Epidemiologic and Bioinformatic Training in Environmental Health", is to develop pre- and postdoctoral trainees into successful independent scientists who will advance quantitative and environmental health sciences, and improve health for future generations. With 8 pre-doctoral and 4 post-doctoral trainee positions, BEBTEH plans to continue to train biostatisticians and life scientists to develop and apply quantitative methods to the environmental health sciences. Anchored in the outstanding University of Washington research environment, participating departments include Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Biostatistics and Epidemiology. BEBTEH offers two distinct pathways—population-based and laboratory-based. The laboratory-based pathway focuses on the interpretation of modern genomic, microbiome, and other biologic data and how they may be exploited to unravel the biological bases of diseases. The population-based pathway emphasizes statistical methods in environmental epidemiology to elucidate the etiologies of environmentally-related diseases. Both pathways incorporate data science training into a multidisciplinary, collaborative, and interdisciplinary training environment that includes quantitative and applied training objectives; involves each trainee in a project that leads to expertise in multiple disciplines necessary to advance environmental health science research; and targets training activities to advance training goals. This is enhanced by a dual mentorship program that encourages trainees to work with both quantitative and life scientists. Under the leadership of Elizabeth A. (Lianne) Sheppard, PhD with support from Deputy Director June Spector, MD MPH and input from an Advisory Committee, BEBTEH will recruit and nurture trainees from diverse backgrounds in a first-class research environment. Innovations in this renewal application include new data science training opportunities that encompass big data, data sharing, open science, collaborative and reproducible research, and a complementary focus on an environmental health science research experience. Building upon its strong history of success and track record since 2009, and leveraging collaboration with NIEHS-funded research centers and sister agency funding, BEBTEH trainees will be well-positioned to help NIEHS meet its strategic vision.