First-authored paper in Cancer Research by Jing Yang
Congratulations to research assistant professor Jing Yang, first author of "A large-scale meta-analysis reveals positive feedback between macrophages and T cells that sensitizes tumors to immunotherapy," which was published in Cancer Research on December 20. The paper was co-authored by professors Qi Liu and Yu Shyr.
Colorectal cancer "cartography" reveals an avenue to improved immunotherapy
Co-authors include statistical genetic analyst Marisol Ramirez-Solano, senior associate Dan Ayers, staff scientist Yu Wang, assistant professor Simon Vandekar, and professor Qi Liu.
First-authored paper in JCO by Zhiguo "Alex" Zhao
Congratulations to assistant in biostatistics Zhiguo "Alex" Zhao, first author of "Prospective External Validation of the Esbenshade Vanderbilt Models Accurately Predicts Bloodstream Infection Risk in Febrile Non-Neutropenic Children with Cancer," which was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on December 7.
How to get the biggest "bang" for the research buck
Featuring professor and vice chair of research Jonathan Schildcrout, with mention of assistant professor Ran Tao and professor Bryan Shepherd.
Kidney stone prevention study published in JAMA Network
Co-authors include biostatistician Guanchao Wang, data scientist Hua-Chang Chen, and assistant professor Ran Tao.
Type 2 diabetes study published in Nature
Co-authors include associate Sharon Phillips and associate professor Hakmook Kang.
Vanderbilt Biostatistics Supporting Landmark Genomics Partnership
In the global research community, anticipation is building for thousands of samples that will become available via BioVU in 2024. Our department is providing crucial technical and analytical support to this effort, with assistant professor Quanhu "Tiger" Sheng, senior IT project manager Dean Gibson, and VANGARD director Yu Shyr heading a team that includes cloud computing developers Milad Abbasi and James Grindstaff, statistical genetic analysts Joey Stolze and Marisol Ramirez-Solano, and application developer Hui Wu.
To learn more about the sequencing project, see the November 14 VUMC Reporter article: "Landmark academic-industry partnership harvests human genome 'fruits' for research."
Asiaee Approved for $1 Million for Study to Estimate Treatment Effects
Amir Asiaee, assistant professor of biostatistics, has been approved for a $1,059,943 funding award by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) for a methodology study on estimating treatment effects for specific patient subgroups.
"Improving Heterogeneous Effect Estimation by Integration of Experimental and Observational Studies" is among the latest methodology studies that PCORI has funded to address gaps in comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) methods. These studies provide results that guide researchers in planning future studies and improve the strength and quality of evidence generated by CER.
With University of Minnesota's Jared Huling as co-principal investigator, Dr. Asiaee aims to combine data from both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies to improve personalized treatment decisions. By developing new ways to analyze this data, the team hopes to improve the quality of evidence used to make treatment decisions, especially for patients with rare or unique responses to treatments. This could lead to more effective screening and better care delivery for patients. The methods will be tested using data from two large research projects, one focused on preventing childhood obesity and the other on the best aspirin dose for patients with heart disease.
“This study was selected for its potential to address a high-priority methodological gap in patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research,” said PCORI executive director Nakela L. Cook, MD, MPH. “Improving methods for conducting CER helps ensure this research generates sound, trustworthy evidence to help patients and those who care for them become more empowered decision makers. We look forward to following the study’s progress and working with Vanderbilt University Medical Center to share its results.”
The study was selected through a highly competitive review process in which patients, caregivers and other stakeholders joined scientists to evaluate the proposals. Dr. Asiaee's funding award has been approved pending completion of a business and programmatic review by PCORI staff and issuance of a formal award contract.
PCORI is an independent, nonprofit organization authorized by Congress with a mission to fund patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research that provides patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information they need to make better informed health and healthcare decisions.
Dandan Liu leadership webinar on November 28
On Tuesday, November 28, at 11 a.m. Central Time, Vanderbilt Biostatistics Data Coordinating Center co-director Dandan Liu (who occupies additional key roles - see her bio to learn more) will speak on "Leadership in Statistical Methods for Electronic Health Research" in a free webinar organized by the National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS) and Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies (COPSS). Click the title to register. Statisticians and data scientists at any stage in their careers are invited to attend.