West Virginia University Stroke COBRE

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PROJECT SUMMARY. Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability in the United States, creating urgency in understanding the impact of stroke on brain functional and structural reorganizations and how these neural processes shape behavioral recovery, with the ultimate goal of using this information to optimize stroke outcomes. The Specific Aims of the West Virginia University (WVU) Stroke CoBRE include (1) expanding the critical mass of funded investigators conducting stroke recovery research, (2) strengthening innovative scientific cores that support and advance basic and translational stroke research, and (3) advancing the ongoing development of an independent, sustainable, multidisciplinary thematic program of stroke research. The Supplement to Enhance Institutional Data Science Capacity proposes to develop and operationalize an integrative graph data science approach, known as the WVU Brain Multiscale Experimental Stroke Hub (WVU Brain MESH), for foundational and preclinical research that will generate novel and important insights using data extracted from studies of multiscale brain functional networks and stroke in rodents. This approach will allow us to use data that most data science methods are not inherently suited to leverage and is far more effective for modern data science. Specifically, in Aim 1, using network science approaches (i.e., graph theory-based), we propose to build an integrative analytic platform that (1) will offer user-friendly computing of data extracted from micro- to macroscale brain networks and (2) applies graph theory-based approaches to compute graphs of each corresponding brain network and to evaluate the topological features of them. In Aim 2, we will use a multipronged approach that includes scientific community engagement, education, and mentored research to spark interest in data science, and specifically graph data science, to enhance knowledge, provide data- relevant skills and assist researchers in using WVU Brain MESH to generate and test hypotheses. Thus, this supplement will expand data science capacity at WVU in a way that aligns with all three Specific Aims of the WVU Stroke CoBRE, ultimately providing synergistic opportunities that are certain to increase the parent award’s impact by fostering opportunity to engage in data science-based approaches to understand stroke- related changes to neural networks. Continuity, sustainability, and expansion of our platform beyond the two- year period of the supplement will be achieved by planned full integration of brain networks and data science approaches into services provided by the Rodent Behavior Core in Phase III of the WVU Stroke CoBRE and by supporting the inclusion of data science approaches in applications for extramural funding.