Genomic Research and Data Science Center for Computation and Cloud-Computing

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The post-genomic era has transformed biology, medicine and biomedical sciences with this advancement being increasingly driven by ready access to interdisciplinary collaborative technology-driven databases built within the accelerating convergence of computational genomics, data sciences, and cloud computing. There is an urgent need for training the upcoming generation of scientific researchers in this area and effectively drawing upon our nationwide talent pool. Yet, there remains a distinctive STEM and diversity gap in today’s biomedical workforce and associated need for transformative change in training in computational genomics, data sciences, and cloud computing (CGDSCC) to recruit historically marginalized populations. CGDSCC student and faculty training has been limited among historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) and minority student serving (MSI) institutions. This is due to a lack of organized resources such as faculty trained in these disciplines, adequate computing resources, and the instrumentation for conducting genomic research needed to achieve impactful hands-on CGDSCC student training. In this proposal we seek to provide the educational and hands- on research training and resources in computational genomics, data sciences, and cloud computing for the future workforce, particularly among underserved student populations at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and other target HBCU/MSI institutions. We have partnered with 3 HBCU’s, North Carolina Central University, Winston Salem State University and Shaw University, as initial site/target institutions. Additional sites will be recruited if this proposal is funded. Through the creation of the Genomic Research and Data Science Center for Computation and Cloud-Computing (GRADS-4C) we will develop and disseminate cloud-based CGDSCC instructional materials produced with our GRADS-4C affiliated faculty to Target Institutions. This will be accomplished through the establishment of lasting partnerships with target institutions interested in education, facilitation of faculty development and student educational and research training in CGDSCC. We shall also develop and disseminate additional cloud based open source CGDSCC educational resources that can be used with NIH workflows for the Target Institutions. We are particularly well-prepared to undertake the proposed work due to the unique team of expert scientists, educators, collaborators, and advisors we have assembled. This innovative work seeks to formally train the future workforce from underserved populations at minority institutions in cutting edge CGDS and cloud computing education and hand-on research which has not been attempted or accomplished before particularly with MSI’s as lead institution. Successful completion of this project will be of high significance, since it will boost greater overall capacity and critical engagement from an expanded, more diverse workforce ready to solve complex biomedical/society problems requiring and benefitting from CGDSCC approaches. 1