CLINICAL ANALYTICS &
DECISION SCIENCE (CADS) LAB
DATA-Pro Program
Data Analytics Training & Professional Development for Behavioral and Social Science Research (BSSR)
An annual NCI‑supported skills development course that equips participants with advanced data science methodologies, strengthening the capacity of BSSR leaders to effectively utilize U.S. population‑level data resources.
The rapid growth of biomedical and socio‑behavioral data offers new opportunities to understand the complex factors shaping health, yet these rich resources — from claims and registries to EHRs, surveys, and patient‑generated data — remain underused.
A major reason is the lack of training programs that equip social and behavioral scientists with advanced data science skills relevant to U.S. health systems and population‑level research. The Data Analytics Training and Professional Development (DATA‑Pro) for BSSR program fills this gap.
DATA‑Pro builds a workforce capable of leveraging large‑scale U.S. data assets through structured e‑learning on modern analytic methods, expert‑guided “big data” research experiences, and targeted professional development.
Housed at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), the state’s only comprehensive academic health system and home to the NCI‑designated Hollings Cancer Center, the program offers an online curriculum led by nationally recognized researchers with strong records of high‑impact work and trainee success.
Apply Now
The 2027 cohort will be held virtually through a 24 week program: 12-week online course format and 12-week mentored project.
Applications open on October 1, 2026 — apply as early as possible to secure a course seat!
The 2027 Course Schedule
The 24-week DATA‑Pro program provides training experiences to equip participants with the data science, analytic, and communication skills needed to conduct impactful BSSR research using large‑scale U.S. health data. The program is delivered in two structured phases:
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Phase I: Intensive Summer Training (12 weeks): Participants complete a 12‑week series of didactic and e‑learning modules focused on foundations of data science, big datasets, research design, and both traditional and novel AI approaches. This phase includes dedicated instruction in responsible conduct of research and methods for enhancing reproducibility.
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Phase II: Guided Projects and Communication Skills Development (12 weeks): In the second 12‑week phase, participants apply their training by conducting an independent research project leveraging MUSC‑HCC big data resources. Each participant works closely with an expert mentor to investigate a BSSR‑focused question, with strong emphasis on presenting and communicating findings to both scientific and lay audiences.
Meet the DATA-Pro Training Committee
The DATA-Pro training team includes complementary and collaborative members with methods expertise in data analytics, health informatics, decision science, mathematical modeling, machine learning and artificial intelligence, causal inference modeling, and data visualization.
Kelly Sonawane, PhD
Program Director
Associate Professor in the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion Research
Hollings Cancer Center
Medical University of South Carolina
Expertise:
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Population health analytics
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High‑dimensional healthcare data
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HPV epidemiology & prevention
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Vaccination barriers research
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Claims/EMR/survey/registry expertise
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Data linkage & outcomes analysis
Ashish Deshmukh, PhD, MPH
Professor of Epidemiology, Smart-State Distinguished Endowed Chair in Cancer Health, Co-leader of the Cancer Control Program
Expertise:
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Cancer control & modeling
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Simulation model development
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Health technology assessment
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Economic evaluation methods
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HPV prevention policy modeling
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Clinical & economic outcomes research
Haluk Damcagioglu, PhD
Research Assistant Professor of Public Health Sciences
Hollings Cancer Center
Medical University of South Carolina
Expertise:
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AI & operations research
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Mathematical & epidemiologic modeling
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Cancer natural history modeling
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Simulation models for prevention & screening
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National survey & registry data integration
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Geographic & individual risk factor analysis
Trisha Amboree, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Public Health Sciences
Hollings Cancer Center
Medical University of South Carolina
Expertise:
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Social epidemiology
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Cancer prevention & control
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Health disparities research
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Cervical cancer prevention access
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Community‑engaged research
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HIV bio‑behavioral surveillance
Ashvita Garg, PhD, MPH, MBBS
Early-stage Investigator
Department of Public Health Sciences
Hollings Cancer Center
Medical University of South Carolina
Expertise:
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HPV & cancer prevention research
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Health promotion & behavior change
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Mixed‑methods & disparities focus
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National survey & registry data
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Preventive care uptake strategies
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HIV‑related HPV prevention studies
Poria Dorali, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Hollings Cancer Center
Medical University of South Carolina
Expertise:
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AI & operations research
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Interpretable machine learning
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Mathematical & simulation modeling
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Cervical cancer care access
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ML‑enhanced microsimulation
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Emerging natural language processing (NLP)
Questions?
Contact us!