The National Institutes of Health has renewed for a sixth year a $1.5 million annual research award to Jackson State University’s Data and Technology Coordinating Center (DTCC) for gathering and processing computational data on minority health care and medical disparities.
JSU is among 18 awardees working collaboratively as Research Centers at Minority Institutions (RCMI). It’s believed to the largest database of health information on people of color exploring causes of various health issues.
Dr. Elizabeth Ofili conducted a site visit this week at JSU and other area facilities, which has received more than $10 million to date. She serves as the principal investigator for all 18 institutional centers through Atlanta’s Morehouse School of Medicine, which is the primary institution managing RCMIs that include historically black institutions, as well as those serving Hispanic and Hawaiian communities. Dr. Edwina Barnett is the interim principal investigator for JSU’s DTCC.
“Impacting real lives”
Dr. Richard Aló, dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology and professor of computer science at JSU, says the campus DTCC ties well with the College of Public Services, while acknowledging that the research centers are “the largest databank in the area of minority health care.” Aló says the NIH award to DTCC is important because of the impact it has on improving minority health and the accompanying partnerships with many health institutions in research and discovery.
Ofili said, “The beauty of DTCC is that it’s anchored in a strong institutional environment focusing on computing technology.” Furthermore, she said, “DTCC is a network of institutions that doesn’t exist anywhere else. We have an unprecedented opportunity because DTCC is only as good as our work in touching real people and impacting real lives. We are looking at potential opportunities to solving big problems.” Ofili said this includes those suffering from cancer to cardiovascular illnesses.
She praised the commitment from JSU and its technology and computer capabilities. Incidentally, the DTCC program was initiated in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. Among its capabilities include clinical monitoring, technology integration, statistical design and analysis, as well as communications.
Aiming for synergy
Meanwhile, Ofili says a key recommendation is for across-the-board collaboration by eliminating silos and aiming for more synergy. She said there is real value to RCMI programs, such as JSU’s strong collaboration with the Jackson Heart Study. She said by relying on the strengths of other institutions we can broaden the network of experts even further. “One way to do this,” she said, “is by leveraging the passion, infrastructure and investment that JSU is making to bolster and create a sustainability path for the DTCC.”
Dr. James Renick, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs, cites the importance of creating a pipeline for shared information by developing a workforce based on education, investigation and training future doctors. “We must create a gateway for students to earn broad-based experience in this network and, ultimately, add value to our students,” he said.
Ultimately, Ofili says, the NIH aims to assess the quality of all RCMI programs by bridging the currently funded infrastructure with quality research institutions. She said this can lead to greater collaboration to eliminate health disparities in minority communities.