Population Research Core

University Of Southern California, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY – Population Research Shared Resource The mission of the newly proposed USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center (NCCC) Population Research Shared Resource (PRC) is to maximize the impact of NCCC's research on priority cancer burdens and disparities in the catchment area and beyond, by consultation and coordinated access to unique local and national population-based data resources and assessment tools. The NCCC strategic planning process and 2018 annual core survey identified member needs for a state-of-the-art Shared Resource (SR) to provide consultation, access, and support for leveraging population-based data resources. To respond to this need, NCCC created PRC in February 2019, overseen by NCCC Administration and led by Myles Cockburn PhD, recruited to NCCC and appointed Director of PRC. As PRC Director, Cockburn advertises to and ensures access by NCCC members; oversees and evaluates the effectiveness, timeliness, and impact of PRC services; and ensures integration with other NCCC SRs. Key services provided by PRC this grant cycle include: 1) surveillance study consultation and access to data on catchment area cancer burdens; 2) geospatial linkage and analysis to assess recruitment feasibility, target interventions, and monitor intervention effects at individual/neighborhood level; 3) access to and interpretation of medical claims data (in SEER Medicare) and California's prescription and hospital discharge data (linked to LA CSP); and 4) consultation on collection, preparation, and analysis of novel individual- level naturalistic data (ecological momentary assessment (EMA), accelerometry and UV dosimetry). In response to feedback from NCCC members and aligned with the NCCC Strategic Plan, in the next grant cycle, PRC will run training sessions for clinical investigators on the use of EMA and other technologies in clinical research studies, including studies to improve survivorship (i.e., physical activity, reducing obesity, and assessing mood). Since its inception in 2019, 33 NCCC members in Cancer Control Research (CCR), Cancer Epidemiology (CE) and Translational and Clinical Sciences (TACS) research programs utilized PRC with 60 publications resulting from PRC engagement. PRC also contributed to 19 grant submissions resulting in five newly funded grants totaling $1.8M in direct costs including three NCI R01 grants and two funded CCSG P30 supplements. The anticipated annual budget of PRC in the first year of the next grant cycle is $435,646, yet the CCSG request is $108,485. Accordingly, PRC leverages extensive institutional and recharge support and seeks only 25% from CCSG funds.