# Shared Resource: Population Studies Facility

> **NIH NIH P30** · RESEARCH INST OF FOX CHASE CAN CTR · 2020 · $210,466

## Abstract

COMPUTATIONAL/INFORMATICS SHARED RESOURCE: POPULATION STUDIES FACILITY (PSF)
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
PSF was rated "Outstanding" at the last review. Computer-based tools are vital to many research studies’
success, particularly those that collect large amounts of data or involve complex data collection protocols. The
PSF facilitates FCCC research by providing critical informatics infrastructure and customized, project-specific
information systems for Cancer Center members. PSF, with the direction of Eric Ross, PhD and a staff of 5.5
FTEs provides members with a stable, cost-effective team of information systems professionals with state-of-
the-art software design and engineering skills appropriate to cancer research. PSF functions include
development of: databases for the storage and manipulation of large quantities of questionnaire, clinical,
molecular and specimen data; electronic data capture interfaces; report generation software; consistency and
quality control systems; web-enabled multimedia applications; and systems that provide integration and
controlled exchange of data from diverse sources. PSF is a critical component of the research infrastructure to
which all Cancer Center members have ready access. PSF has developed systems that maintain data on over
210,000 subjects. More than 90,000 were enrolled in FCCC studies within the US; the remainder were in
international cohort studies. PSF staff are proficient with software tools for managing complex databases and
expert with methods employed by collaborating investigators. From 2011-2014, the PSF provided 32,596
consulting hours in support of 38 Cancer Center members in four Research Programs. It provided 7,125
consulting hours to 24 Cancer Center members in 2014. 6,380 of the consulting hours (90%) were in support
of peer-review funded Cancer Center members. PSF provided direct informatics support to seven other FCCC
CCSG-supported faciltiies during the current cycle. The PSF also collaborated with the Clinical Trials Office on
deployment, customization and integration of new core informatics tools to support clinical research and
associated regulatory functions. PSF expanded the Fox Chase Data Warehouse (FCDW) during the current
cycle. It now integrates data from 41 research and clinical systems derived from 228,000 patients and study
participants. The FCDW stimulates new collaborations and opportunities for translational and correlative
research. From 2011 to June 2015, the PSF contributed to 117 manuscripts, of which PSF personnel are
co-authors on 27. PSF has access to an extensive, up-to-date computing environment that includes open
source and commercial software engineering tools. The PSF is advised by a dedicated Facility Advisory
Committee (FAC) that meets annually. Recommendations from the FAC are directed to a governing Facility
Parent Oversight Committee (FPOC) that serves to ensure that the PSF continues to have the necessary
resources to provide the highest quality informat...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9996572
- **Project number:** 5P30CA006927-55
- **Recipient organization:** RESEARCH INST OF FOX CHASE CAN CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Eric Andrew Ross
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $210,466
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-07-01 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9996572

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9996572, Shared Resource: Population Studies Facility (5P30CA006927-55). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9996572. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*
