July 14–18 and 21–25, 2025
The 2025 CQS Summer Institute will feature four in-person courses on the Vanderbilt University Medical Center campus, at 2525 West End Avenue.
Sharpen your quantitative research skills and deepen your understanding of biostatistics and bioinformatics. Participants are highly encouraged to enroll in multiple courses.
TUITION per course (in USD)
Regular: $950
Vanderbilt University / Vanderbilt University Medical Center faculty and staff: $700
Vanderbilt University / Vanderbilt University Medical Center students, trainees, and postdocs: $450
Enroll in the 2025 Summer Institute via Eventbrite
Big Data in Biomedical Research
July 14–18, 9 a.m.–noon
Instructors:
Qi Liu, PhD, professor of biostatistics and biomedical informatics
Yu Shyr, PhD, professor of biostatistics, biomedical informatics, and health policy
This course will explore statistical, bioinformatic, and computational methods and tools for analyzing big omics data in biomedical research, including experimental design for omics research, RNA-sequencing, single-cell RNA-sequencing, and statistical and bioinformatic methods in high-dimensional data. Students will gain practical experience with RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-seq analysis, including read mapping, quantification, differential expression, cell clustering, and marker gene identification, as well as performing functional interpretation of results.
Prerequisites: Students should have basic or entry-level knowledge of R programming, Linux/Unix commands, and biostatistics. See the "Preparing for Big Data in Biomedical Research" section of the supplement page for directions on what to prepare and review in advance, especially if you lack experience with R and Linux.
Regression and Modeling in R
July 14–18, 1–4 p.m.
Instructor: Gustavo Amorim, PhD, assistant professor of biostatistics
This course will cover advanced statistical topics frequently used in biological and medical research. Emphasis will be placed on practical applications of statistical methods and interpretation of the results. During this week, you will expand your understanding of the advantages and limitations of various methods, choose appropriate analytic approaches based on type of outcome variable and data structure, develop advanced statistical models in R, perform model diagnostic analyses, and interpret R output and analysis results.
Prerequisites: Biostatistics I or equivalent course(s). Students should be familiar with the basic notions and concepts of linear algebra and statistical modeling, types of variables (continuous, categorical, ordinal, etc.), common probability distributions (such as normal and binomial), and descriptive statistics, including summary statistics (mean, median, standard deviation, variance, etc.) and simple tests (t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, chi-square test, etc.). See the "Preparing for Regression and Modeling in R" section of the supplement page for suggestions on what to prepare and review in advance.
Bayesian Adaptive Clinical Trials for the 21st Century
July 21–25, 9 a.m.–noon
Instructor: Ben Saville, president and lead statistical scientist, Adaptix Trials
As medical research continues to push into new frontiers of discovery and personalized patient care, it is imperative that clinical trial designs and statistical methodologies evolve to address the forthcoming challenges. In this course we explain why Bayesian methods are ideally suited to provide such innovation. We illustrate the use of Bayesian methods in clinical trials across the clinical development spectrum, with emphasis on phase II & III drug trials and pivotal device trials. Topics include Bayesian borrowing, hierarchical models, dose finding, response adaptive randomization, adaptive sample size with interim monitoring for efficacy and safety, predictive probabilities, adaptive enrichment, FDA regulatory considerations, and master protocols for multi-arm platform trials. We teach these methods using real clinical trial examples, and show the utility of virtual trial simulations in both trial design and regulatory interactions.
Prerequisites: Foundational course in statistics or mathematics and a basic knowledge of randomised, controlled clinical trials (RCT) and common trial designs. No formal training in Bayesian or adaptive clinical trials is required. See the "Preparing for Bayesian Adaptive Clinical Trials for the 21st Century" section of the supplement page regarding software to install before the start of the course.
Terra-Based Cloud Computing
July 21–25, 1–4 p.m.
Instructor: Quanhu (Tiger) Sheng, associate professor of biostatistics and VANGARD deputy technical director
This course provides an in-depth exploration of Terra-based cloud computing with a focus on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) analysis using BioVU whole genome sequencing data. Students will use Visual Studio Code to navigate course materials and engage in hands-on exercises. The curriculum introduces key concepts and tools, including the Terra environment, Docker image creation, workflow description language (WDL), cohort building with the BioVU synthetic derivative BigQuery database, and GWAS analysis using Regenie4. Through practical activities, participants will develop skills in cloud-based GWAS analysis, covering environment setup, software packaging, cohort construction, and data processing.
*This course is available only to VUMC and Vanderbilt University employees and trainees. Space is limited to 20 participants.
Prerequisites:
- Knowledge of genomics and GWAS fundamentals
- Familiarity with Python and Jupyter Notebook
- Basic proficiency in SQL
- Experience using Linux command-line interfaces
- Visual Studio Code installed on your computing device (see the “Preparing for Terra-Based Cloud Computing” section of the supplement page for specifics).
- GitHub, Docker Hub, Google Cloud Platform, and Terra accounts set up by July 14 (one week before the start of the course). See the supplement page for further instructions.
The supplement page also lists resources for the above requirements.
Enroll in the 2025 Summer Institute via Eventbrite
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do your courses take place?
The courses will be held on the Vanderbilt University Medical Center campus, in the 2525 West End Avenue building. Live participation is expected, and some courses may feature small-group discussions. The sessions will not be recorded or streamed.
Meals and snacks are included with these intensive courses. We will provide a light continental breakfast before each morning class, and boxed lunches to all in-person participants. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be available throughout each day.
I will be driving to campus to attend the Summer Institute. Where can I park my car?
When you register, please indicate that you will need parking. We will assist with making arrangements for a complimentary spot.
Will the instructors make reasonable accommodations for my disability?
Please contact us to discuss what is needed. All requests will be kept confidential. We are committed to maintaining an inclusive and accessible learning environment.
2525 West End is equipped with accessible parking, as well as ramps to the building from the parking garage, touch-open doorways, and an easy-to-access elevator bank.
Is there a lactation room?
Yes, in the Department of Biostatistics, on the tenth floor. Please contact the course administrator to arrange access.
Is vaccination and/or masking required?
At present, no. However, individuals may still choose to wear a mask in any area at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and we ask all participants to respect this choice. We follow VUMC guidance on COVID-19 prevention, which may be updated if a new variant or other factors suggest an increased risk of spread.
How do I obtain documentation of my participation?
A certificate of completion will be emailed to you after the end of the course.
Can I earn academic credit for my course(s)?
Vanderbilt’s Cancer Biology program is handling credit arrangements for its members. We do not grade or track the attendance of other participants.
I have a scheduling conflict. Would it be possible for me to participate virtually?
This is not an option, as the classes are not recorded or streamed. We anticipate offering Coursera editions of some courses down the line, and hope you will take advantage of that option if your schedule does not allow for in-person participation.
Do you plan to offer these courses in the future?
After every Institute, we review what worked and what needs to be adjusted, with timing and format among our considerations. We collect feedback from participants at the end of each course, including whether the instruction met their expectations and what they would like to see on offer. These help guide the planning and design of future Summer Institutes.
I have a question that hasn’t been answered yet. Whom do I contact?
Margaret Cullum, administrator
Details subject to change without notice.