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

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE · 2024 · $631,487

## 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...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10892317
- **Project number:** 5U54GM104941-12
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
- **Principal Investigator:** Claudine T Jurkovitz
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $631,487
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-09-25 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10892317

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10892317, Delaware Clinical and Translational Research ACCEL Program  (BERD Core) (5U54GM104941-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10892317. Licensed CC0.

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