Leadership for Cancer Informatics Research from Coursera

Informatics research often requires multidisciplinary teams. This requires more flexibility to communicate with team members with distinct backgrounds. Furthermore, team members often have different research and career goals. This can present unique challenges in making sure that everyone is on the same page and cohesively working together. This course aims to provide research leaders with guidance about:

How to effectively lead and support team members on informatics projects

How to perform informatics projects well

How to support informatics collaborators, mentees, and employees

How to better support diversity within your team

Tools that can help you perform informatics projects well

Target audience:

The course is intended for researchers who lead research teams or collaborate with others to perform multidisciplinary work. We have especially aimed the material for those with moderate to no computational experience who may lead or collaborate with informatics experts. However this material is also applicable to informatics experts working with others who have less computational experience.

Curriculum:

We will provide you with an awareness for the specific challenges that your informatics collaborators, employees, and mentees might face, as well as ways to mitigate these challenges. By creating a better work environment for your informatics research team, you will ultimately improve the potential impact of your work.

We will also discuss the major pitfalls of informatics research and discuss best practices for performing informatics research correctly and well, so that you can get the most out of your informatics projects.

This course is part of a series of courses for the Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (ITCR) called the Informatics Technology for Cancer Research Education Resource. This material was created by the ITCR Training Network (ITN) which is a collaborative effort of researchers around the United States to support cancer informatics and data science training through resources, technology, and events. This initiative is funded by the following grant: National Cancer Institute (NCI) UE5 CA254170. Our courses feature tools developed by ITCR Investigators and make it easier for principal investigators, scientists, and analysts to integrate cancer informatics into their workflows. Please see our website at www.itcrtraining.org for more information.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome

In this module we will introduce you to how the material will be presented and the goals for the course.

Guidelines for multidisciplinary informatics teams

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines the challenges related to informatics projects and provides strategies to overcome them

Specifically designed to aid those with moderate to no computational experience, as well as experts working with such individuals

Provides tools and resources for managing research teams and improving the efficiency of informatics projects

Emphasis on promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in cancer informatics research

Created by a collaborative effort of researchers around the United States for supporting cancer informatics training through resources and events

Part of the Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (ITCR) series, indicating its comprehensive nature in the field

Reviews summary

Guiding informatics research teams effectively

According to students, this course offers a highly relevant and practical guide for leading multidisciplinary informatics teams in cancer research. Learners particularly appreciate the focus on effective communication, project planning strategies, and fostering diversity and inclusion within research environments. The course provides valuable insights for principal investigators and collaborators, especially those with moderate to no computational experience, equipping them with essential leadership and management tools for complex informatics projects.

Best for leaders or collaborators, less for deep technical informatics.

"As a PI without a strong computational background, this course was perfect for understanding how to work with informatics experts."

"If you're looking for deep technical informatics, this isn't it, but for managing informatics projects, it's excellent."

"I appreciated that it wasn't overly technical, making it accessible for leadership roles who need to understand the big picture."

Highlights strategies for fostering an inclusive research environment.

"The module on promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity was a crucial addition, offering actionable advice for my lab."

"I appreciated the focus on supporting underrepresented groups in cancer informatics; it's a vital aspect often overlooked."

"This course provided valuable perspectives on how to create a more equitable and supportive work environment for all team members."

Guides on forming questions and avoiding common research pitfalls.

"The section on informatics project guidelines was incredibly useful for structuring my research questions more effectively."

"I now have a clearer understanding of how to plan projects to mitigate common challenges in informatics research."

"This course taught me how to identify potential pitfalls early on and develop strategies to avoid them, saving time and resources."

Provides practical strategies for managing diverse research teams.

"This course helped me immensely in understanding how to better communicate and collaborate with my informatics team members."

"I found the guidelines for working with multidisciplinary teams particularly insightful, especially regarding advocacy for team members."

"It's challenging to get everyone on the same page, and this course offered concrete ways to improve our team's cohesion."

Provides a strong foundation but some topics could be explored further.

"The course provides a solid overview, though I wished some specific tools were covered in more depth."

"While the concepts were clear, some advanced leaders might find it a bit too introductory in certain sections."

"I felt the course laid a good groundwork, but perhaps more real-world scenarios or case studies would have enriched it further."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Leadership for Cancer Informatics Research with these activities:

Review statistics and probability

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Warming up your foundational understanding of statistics and probability will help you gain a stronger base for this course.

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Summarize distributions and sampling methods
Summarize hypothesis testing and confidence intervals

Identify and contact potential informatics mentors

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Establishing mentors who are actively working in informatics will provide unparalleled opportunities for mentorship, guidance, and support during and after the course.

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Research potential mentors
Contact your top choices

Analyze and interpret data

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Performing real-world data analysis will solidify your understanding of informatics research.

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Collect and process a dataset
Perform exploratory data analysis
Develop and test hypotheses
Interpret and visualize your results

Four other activities

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Follow tutorials on specific informatics research software

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Working with specific software will help you develop practical skills that you can use in your informatics research projects.

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Identify relevant software
Find and follow tutorials

Write an informatics project proposal

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Creating an informatics project proposal will apply the course concepts to the design of a research project.

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Define your project goals
Review relevant literature
Develop your methods
Write your proposal

Start an independent informatics research project

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Engaging in an informatics research project will not only deepen your understanding of the material but also enhance your skills and prepare you for a career in research.

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Develop your research question
Design your study
Collect and analyze your data
Write up your results

Contribute to an open-source informatics project

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Collaboration on open-source projects provides opportunities to interact with researchers worldwide, learn from their work, and contribute your own expertise.

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Find an open-source project
Contact the project maintainers

Career center

Learners who complete Leadership for Cancer Informatics Research will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Informatics Specialist

Informatics Specialists collaborate with clinicians and researchers to develop and implement informatics solutions for healthcare. This course equips them with the knowledge and skills to effectively lead and motivate teams, navigate complex project challenges, and ensure successful outcomes. It also emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in informatics research, fostering a more equitable and representative workplace.

See salaries and explore the career path for Informatics Specialist

Data Analyst

Data Analysts play a crucial role in extracting meaningful insights from large datasets. This course provides a solid foundation in informatics project planning and execution, enabling Data Analysts to approach projects with a comprehensive understanding of pitfalls and best practices. It also highlights the significance of effective team communication and collaboration, essential for successful data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts protect and secure computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. This course provides a foundation in informatics project execution, enabling Information Security Analysts to approach projects with a comprehensive understanding of common pitfalls and best practices. It also emphasizes the importance of risk assessment and mitigation, ensuring the protection and confidentiality of sensitive information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software and systems used in healthcare. This course provides a foundation in informatics project execution, enabling Software Engineers to approach projects with a comprehensive understanding of common pitfalls and best practices. It also emphasizes the importance of user experience and interface design, ensuring that software is accessible, usable, and meets the needs of end users.

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Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts analyze and design information systems and processes. This course provides a foundation in informatics project execution, enabling Systems Analysts to approach projects with a comprehensive understanding of common pitfalls and best practices. It also emphasizes the importance of understanding business requirements and user needs, ensuring that systems meet the specific needs of the organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze and understand the business needs of an organization and translate them into technical requirements. This course provides a foundation in informatics project execution, enabling Business Analysts to approach projects with a comprehensive understanding of common pitfalls and best practices. It also emphasizes the importance of communication and collaboration, ensuring that business requirements are clearly defined and understood by all stakeholders.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists study and analyze cancer-related data using advanced computational tools and techniques. This course provides valuable insights into effective leadership and support strategies for multidisciplinary teams working on informatics projects. It helps Research Scientists foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, leading to enhanced research outcomes and impact.

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Healthcare Data Scientist

Healthcare Data Scientists use advanced analytics and machine learning techniques to analyze and interpret healthcare data. This course provides a solid foundation in informatics project execution, enabling Healthcare Data Scientists to approach projects with a comprehensive understanding of common pitfalls and best practices. It also emphasizes the importance of effective communication and collaboration, enabling them to effectively convey complex data insights to stakeholders.

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Medical Informatics Engineer

Medical Informatics Engineers design and develop software and systems for managing and analyzing biomedical data. This course provides a foundation in informatics project planning and execution, enabling Medical Informatics Engineers to approach projects with a comprehensive understanding of common pitfalls and best practices. It also emphasizes the importance of effective team communication and collaboration, enabling them to effectively convey complex technical concepts to team members and stakeholders.

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Project Manager

Project Managers oversee the planning, execution, and completion of informatics projects. This course provides a comprehensive overview of informatics project management, enabling Project Managers to effectively coordinate multidisciplinary teams and navigate complex project challenges. It also emphasizes the importance of risk assessment and mitigation, ensuring successful project outcomes.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage and maintain databases used for storing and managing healthcare data. This course provides a foundation in informatics project execution, enabling Database Administrators to approach projects with a comprehensive understanding of common pitfalls and best practices. It also emphasizes the importance of data security and integrity, ensuring the protection and confidentiality of sensitive patient information.

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Biostatistician

Biostatisticians apply statistical methods to analyze and interpret biological and medical data. This course provides a foundation in informatics research, helping Biostatisticians understand the unique challenges and opportunities of multidisciplinary collaborations. It also emphasizes the importance of clear and concise communication, enabling them to effectively convey complex statistical concepts to team members and stakeholders.

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Health Information Manager

Health Information Managers oversee the collection, storage, and analysis of patient health information. This course provides insights into the challenges of managing multidisciplinary informatics teams and emphasizes the importance of collaboration, communication, and record-keeping strategies. It also highlights best practices for performing informatics projects, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of patient data.

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Clinical Research Associate

Clinical Research Associates manage and coordinate clinical trials involving cancer patients. This course provides an understanding of the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion in clinical research, fostering a more representative and equitable trial population. It also highlights the need for effective team communication and collaboration in managing complex clinical trials.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain documentation for software and systems used in healthcare. This course provides insights into the challenges of communicating complex technical information to a diverse audience. It emphasizes the importance of clarity, conciseness, and attention to detail, enabling Technical Writers to produce high-quality documentation that supports the successful implementation and use of informatics systems.

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