# Delaware Clinical and Translational Research ACCEL Program  (BERD Core)

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE · 2023 · $628,604

## Abstract

ABSTRACT - BERD
The Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD) Core of the Delaware ACCEL CTR has matured
in the last 9 years into a large, stable yet dynamic core with a repertoire of skills and resources that enables
quality clinical and translational (C&T) research. BERD’ s accomplishments result from the close collaboration
between ACCEL partner institutions: the University of Delaware, the Nemours Children’ Health system,
ChristianaCare Health Services Inc., the Medical University of South Carolina and Delaware State University.
BERD assembles a diverse core of skilled biostatisticians, epidemiologists, and bioinformaticians from each
Institution who have the common goal of advancing translational science and assist C&T investigators. The
BERD team from MUSC was instrumental in helping us launch and develop a strong, sustainable BERD over
the last nine years, but the DE-based BERD team has matured to a point of independence. Phase 3 BERD
(without MUSC) will build on this momentum to meet the evolving skills needed for C&T research. With the
increasing availability of vast amounts of data, we have the potential to provide deeper insight into the
determinants of disease at the individual and population level. To do so, we must develop new methodologies
and tools to analyze these data. We will enrich the BERD resources with expertise in Machine Learning (ML),
Natural language Processing (NLP), cloud computing, geospatial analysis and novel biostatistics methods to
address health disparities. We propose the following specific aims:1) Expand and enrich consultative services
for clinical, translational, population health sciences. BERD will leverage the expertise in ML, NLP, cloud
computing, and geospatial analysis that already exists in some ACCEL-CTR Institutions and will make this
expertise available to all Investigators; 2) Develop innovative methods in biostatistics and data sciences
including reducing selections biases, enhancing the power of studies, and developing design and analysis
plans for studies of vulnerable populations or very small numbers of subjects; 3) Promote virtual self-paced
synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. We will continue to offer TechTalks and Innovative
Discoveries Series lectures and will vet on-line material for posting on our Education hub; 4) Expand the
biomedical informatics research infrastructure by leveraging expertise and skills acquired in the last nine years
to establish an integrated network of resources focused on addressing critical healthcare needs in Delaware.
The BERD specific aims build upon the overall aims of the ACCEL CTR phase 3. By expanding BERD
expertise to better meet the needs of Investigators, we will improve the scientific infrastructure and culture. We
will develop Innovative methodologies to foster projects aiming at improving health equity. Access to the cloud
will allow teams of clinicians and scientists to develop projects that have high clinical impact. ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10721015
- **Project number:** 2U54GM104941-11
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
- **Principal Investigator:** CATHY H. WU
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $628,604
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2013-09-25 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10721015

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10721015, Delaware Clinical and Translational Research ACCEL Program  (BERD Core) (2U54GM104941-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10721015. Licensed CC0.

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