# Advanced data analytics training for behavioral and social sciences research

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2021 · $268,781

## Abstract

Abstract
Objectives: The Advanced Data Analytics Program To (ADAPT) will enhance behavioral and social sciences
research, by training a diverse next generation of data scientists who will learn interdisciplinary skills needed for
successful careers in behavioral and social sciences health-related data science.
Rationale: San Diego is a hub for genomics, mobile technology, behavioral health research and data science in
Southern California, yet no data science curriculum for behavioral scientists currently exists. The ADAPT
program will fill this gap and intersect the areas of health sciences, informatics, computer science, and statistics
in Southern California.
Design: ADAPT will educate doctoral students in the behavioral and social sciences to build and further expand
an ecosystem for big data analytics that promotes finding, accessing, interoperating, and reusing digital objects
and responsibly computing with human subjects’ data in cloud environments. The ADAPT program will be based
at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), with faculty collaborators from San Diego State University. It
will be based on two joint doctoral programs (JDPs) at these universities (Clinical Psychology and Public
Health/Behavioral Health). Dual mentoring by faculty with expertise in behavioral and social sciences and
computer science, biomedical informatics, or statistics will ensure a truly interdisciplinary focus that will cover
team science and responsible conduct of research.
Key Activities: Trainees will gain expertise through coursework, research experience during rotations and
external internships, mentoring and other activities. Existing data science courses were selected for the
curriculum, which will also include a new course in cloud-based human subjects’ data computing. Through
individualized development plans, ADAPT trainees will work with their faculty mentors to tailor the curriculum
and career paths according to students’ interests and skills. Data science coursework will utilize elective course
slots in the JDP curricula, will typically be completed in years 1 and 2 of the JDPs. They will provide the
foundational knowledge needed for academic and industry rotations and for the start of the trainees’ research
phase.
Projected Number of Trainees: 6 first or second year JDP students
Planned Duration of Appointments: 3 years, renewed annually based on good academic standing
Intended Trainee Outcomes: Metrics for success will include number and quality of publications, and rate of
academic milestone completion. Trainees who complete the ADAPT program will possess the scientific
knowledge needed to be a behavioral health data scientist, understand ethical and regulatory aspects of
computing with protected health information, and will become critical members of scientific teams working in
academia, government, for-profit and non-profit research institutions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10160959
- **Project number:** 5T32MH122376-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Eric Hekler
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $268,781
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10160959

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10160959, Advanced data analytics training for behavioral and social sciences research (5T32MH122376-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10160959. Licensed CC0.

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