# Symposium on Advances in Genomics, Epidemiology, and Statistics (SAGES)

> **NIH NIH R13** · CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA · 2020 · $12,000

## Abstract

Abstract
Advances in technology and significant decrease in costs are driving progress in genomic studies. Studies of
whole exome and genome sequences of complex traits in large samples are increasingly common. Other
sources of high-dimensional information, including expression, epigenetic, metabolic and microbiome data, are
also being collected in disease and healthy samples. To fully understand the complex bases of human disease
and normal phenotypic variability, all of these factors should be properly considered in a unified analytical
framework, together with epidemiological data on environmental exposures and other risk factors. To discuss
how to address the analytical challenges presented by these sources of data, we have developed an annual
symposium held in Philadelphia on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, named Symposium on
Advances in Genomics, Epidemiology, and Statistics (SAGES). Our objectives are to favor development of
analytical methods to bridge the gap between emerging technologies and data analysis in genomics and related
fields; to encourage exchange and collaboration between methodological and applied scientists; and to foster
training of young investigators by giving access to our conference to the largest possible number and promoting
their active participation and interaction with the more senior participants. SAGES has been held continuously
since 2013 and has enjoyed an increasing number of participants as well as participant satisfaction, with 98.9%
of respondent to the post-symposium survey strongly agreeing or agreeing to the statement “I enjoyed attending
SAGES 2018”. We propose to continue this successful formula in 2019 and 2020. Each year we will select topics
in the area of statistical and epidemiological methods related to genomics and other high-dimensional data based
on perceived interest and potential impact on research. We will invite 7 speakers chosen among experts working
in US institutions, including both theoretical and applied scientists. Participants will be invited to submit an
abstract with their registration, and two poster sessions will allow them to present their own current research.
Two abstracts presented by students or post-docs will be selected for oral presentation. A pre-symposium “Meet
the Speakers” get-together for junior attendees and a final reception open to all participants will encourage
informal interactions, with the goal of facilitating collaborations and identification of possible new mentor-trainee
relationships. More than 78% of respondent to the post-symposium survey strongly agreed or agreed with the
statement “I made connections with colleagues by attending SAGES 2018 that are valuable for my work”. Our
final goal is to promote training, collaboration, and the development and application of methodologies that will
further our understanding of the complex mechanisms responsible for human disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9919016
- **Project number:** 5R13HG007809-05
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura A. Almasy
- **Activity code:** R13 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $12,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2015-05-01 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9919016

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9919016, Symposium on Advances in Genomics, Epidemiology, and Statistics (SAGES) (5R13HG007809-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9919016. Licensed CC0.

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