# Biomedical Informatics and Statistics Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $127,224

## Abstract

Project Summary 
We propose to establish a Consortium to study “Epigenomic Biomarkers of HIV-Associated Cancers in Nigeria.” 
Our research focus and core services development plan has been prioritized by our Nigerian partners at 
University of Jos (UniJos), Plateau State, Nigeria located in the center of the country and University of Lagos 
(UniLag), Lagos State in the densely populated southwest. Our focus on the epigenetics of HIV-associated 
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cervical cancer is justified by our extensive collaborative research history 
in viral diseases including HIV, human papilloma virus, hepatitis B and C viruses. Northwestern University and 
Mayo Medical School will serve as the high-income American partner institutions which is justified by the long 
history of research and research training collaboration with the Nigerian institutions coupled with its expertise in 
global health and ample complementary resources. The specific aims of the Biomedical Informatics and 
Statistics Core (BISC) are: 1. enhance the existing clinical systems (HIV clinic electronic databases and cancer 
registries) to develop high-quality electronic clinical data collection on HIV-associated cancers across outpatient 
and inpatient systems at UniJos and UniLag, 2. develop a collaborative biomedical informatics and statistics 
team focused on providing core services for HIV-associated cancer genetics research in Nigeria, and 3. provide 
oversight and support for the informatics and statistical needs of Projects 1 (HCC) and 2 (cervical) proposed 
under this U54. Under this BISC, electronic data collection and management capabilities will be coordinated 
into a single Cancer Research Informatics System (CRIS). CRIS will include the following aspects: (1) data 
collection, (2) survey distribution for needs assessments and community engagement, (3) communication and 
BISC coordination, (4) financial/grants management, (5) data management and quality assurance, (6) linkage of 
clinical data and research biospecimen repository samples, (7) tracking/compliance of research proposals, and 
(8) tracking and outcomes of BISC services. The following BISC services will also be developed: centralized 
data integration and management, computational facilities and biostatistical consultations. The overall goal of 
the BISC will be to support and facilitate research proposed in Projects 1 (HCC) and 2 (cervical), provide facilities 
for training activities under the Career Enhancement Core (CEC), coordination of research services with the 
Pathology and Genomics Core (PGC), build infrastructure and research management with the Administrative 
Core (AC).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10242890
- **Project number:** 5U54CA221205-05
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Masha Kocherginsky
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $127,224
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10242890

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10242890, Biomedical Informatics and Statistics Core (5U54CA221205-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10242890. Licensed CC0.

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