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Services
Biomedical Informatics and Data Coordination
Westat facilitates team science using novel methods and cutting-edge technologies to collect, harmonize, and analyze health-related data. Our researchers answer complex research questions that aim to improve the nation’s health.
Overview
Coordinating centers are essential to multicenter research initiatives serving as centralized hubs that aggregate, manage, and analyze complex biomedical and administrative data. Our team of data experts, informaticians, statisticians, project managers, programmers, and research associates collate public health data and provide valuable insights on a wide range of issues. We utilize cutting-edge informatics approaches to integrate, harmonize, and analyze health-related data from various sources, including electronic health records (EHRs), patient-reported outcomes, and laboratory measures. By employing common data models and advanced data science techniques, we support complex, multicenter analyses to answer health research questions. By leveraging Westat’s data integration platform, our experts apply natural language processing (NLP) to standardize clinical text, integrate with health care systems using HL7 and FHIR standards, and automate the production of analytical datasets through cloud technologies. Our experts leverage cutting-edge technologies, such as quantum computing and generative AI to address complex computational problems for our clients. We support the investigation of underlying genetic components related to heart, lung, and blood disorders, coordinate the development of large-scale omics datasets to inform precision medicine initiatives, and much more.
Our Expertise
Data Analytics, Clinical Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence
Westat statisticians, analysts, and data scientists apply robust statistical methods and cutting-edge analytical approaches to extract maximum value from clinical data. We utilize natural language processing (NLP) to extract measures from clinical notes, apply generative AI methods to classify adverse drug events, and design innovative visualization approaches to disseminate the results of our research. These tailored solutions empower clients to make data-driven decisions, improve clinical care, and streamline workflows.
Electronic Health Record Harmonization and Analysis
Westat’s health researchers and computer scientists develop automated data pipelines to integrate, harmonize, and analyze electronic health record (EHR) data to support a range of outcomes, including blood transfusion safety and effectiveness and vaccine safety. By transforming data to a common data model, such as the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM), we can mitigate differences between data collection approaches and disparate electronic systems across contributing sites and increase our ability to identify meaningful differences in outcomes across different groups.
Health Informatics
Westat researchers employ a variety of health informatics approaches to leverage routinely collected health care data to improve health outcomes. Our researchers utilize established and emerging data interoperability standards, such as HL7 and FHIR, to aid data integration to support disease surveillance and health care outcomes. We use health care terminology systems, such as SNOMED CT, ICD-10-CM, and CPT, to extract semantic meaning from data and derive reliable measures.
Research Network Coordination
Research networks form the backbone of team science and modern health research. Westat’s team of clinical research specialists coordinate scientific activities between multiple participating institutions, develop common research protocols, and conduct pooled analyses. We provide administrative support using cutting-edge tracking tools to streamline research across a range of therapeutic areas as diverse as transfusion medicine, omics-based precision medicine, and the application of emerging AI approaches.
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Kevin Wilson
Vice President
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Eric Pan
Associate Vice President
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Kathleen Chapman
Associate Vice President
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Nathan Botts
Principal Research Associate
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Rebecca Montalvan
Principal Research Associate
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Sean Chickery
Principal Research Associate
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Tina Shah
Senior Research Associate