# Training the Trainers: Building Institutional Data Science Capacity to Support Health Disparities Research

> **NIH NIH U54** · MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2024 · $368,812

## Abstract

Project Summary
Advances in biomedical and behavioral data science and machine learning have the potential to promote health
equity by aiding in our understanding of the etiology of health disparities. In recognition of the need to foster
diversity, improve the quality of biomedical research, and enhance global competitiveness of the U.S. biomedical
research workforce, the The Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) U54 Center for Translational Research in
Health Disparities (CTRHD) is investing heavily in biomedical data science and data infrastructure around
genomics/multi-omics capacity to support translational projects and enhance informatics education and training
opportunities. In this project, we propose a continued collaboration between the Morehouse School of Medicine
(MSM-RCMI) and Florida International University’s RCMI (FIU-RCMI) center to: (Aim 1) Refine an existing
project-based data science curriculum (Software Carpentry) to include new staple R tools and principles and
create new modules for data ethics, data security, and a “Fundamentals for Success” remote synchronous track
for learners with lower computer literacy; (Aim 2) Develop a “Train the Trainer” program and train a cohort of
data science instructors from MSM and other RCMI partner institutions as well as organize a virtual workshop
series for newly trained instructors to teach data science basics and Evaluate learner and instructor progress
and experience week over week; (Aim 3) Expand existing partnerships within the RCMI- Coordinating Center
and Atlanta University Center Data Science Initiative to disseminate our curriculum and resources related to data
science and health disparities via the online Interdisciplinary Health Disparities and Data Science Training
collaboratory with remote asynchronous instructional support provided by data science instructors and mentors.
The MSM-RCMI and FIU-RCMI have a history of successful collaboration, including our Interdisciplinary Health
disparities and data Science trAiNing (IHSAN) program: we trained a pilot cohort of instructors from RCMI
centers to teach basic data science using the R programming language. Our program boasts great diversity
among our learners (57% female, 33% Black/AA, 29% Hispanic/Latinx) and our trainers (83% female, 25%
Black/AA, 33% Hispanic/Latinx). Further, the training we offered shows greater learner confidence week over
week with data science in the R programming language applied to health disparities, and the mentored
instructors reported greater teaching self-efficacy and confidence after this program. Based on the undeniable
success of our pilot training program, we propose to upskill RCMI investigators in data science techniques using
R for reproducible data analysis in health disparities research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11064334
- **Project number:** 3U54MD007602-37S1
- **Recipient organization:** MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Kevin Sean Kimbro
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $368,812
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1997-07-07 → 2028-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11064334

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11064334, Training the Trainers: Building Institutional Data Science Capacity to Support Health Disparities Research (3U54MD007602-37S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11064334. Licensed CC0.

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