Translational Research Support Core

The Translational Research Support Core (TRSC) fosters transdisciplinary science-based collaboration and co-production of knowledge through team building, project planning, human subject research and analytical support. The TRSC facilitates robust interpersonal connections and access to resources, with the goals of revolutionizing research methodologies and transforming the way we perform environmental health research. 

To achieve those goals, we help build research teams and collaborative relationships. Our Research Discovery Index, a searchable database of Center members, is a networking tool to help match member’s expertise with project needs. We are also available for initial focus planning and guidance for projects, including Center Pilot Projects, resulting in a Project Execution Plan (PEP), a document that defines how a study will be accomplished and how existing resources can be leveraged. Here is an example PEP Template.

Services 

Human Subject Research Support 

The Translational Research Support Core can facilitate and assist with the execution of human clinical trials thanks to Sandra Uesugi, RN, MS, our Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator. She can assist with regulatory compliance (e.g. IRB, FDA) and development of grant proposals and protocols. Clinical trial activities include study planning, the coordination of study participants including recruitment and retention, basic clinical testing procedures, administration of study test materials, and the collection, processing and deep freeze storage of blood, urine and other biological samples. The Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator’s time is available on an hourly basis for subject screening and sample collection.

For development of new OSU IRB applications, please do the following:

• Download the New OSU IRB Application Checklist to prepare your application.
• Submit TRSC Services Request Form.
• Contact Sandra Uesugi for consultation at [email protected].

Biostatistics 

The TRSC provides biostatistics support across a wide variety of different application areas and for all stages of research development, implementation, and data analysis. Assistance is provided by Katie McLaughlin, an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics at Oregon State University (OSU). Dr. McLaughlin also has an adjunct appointment in Biostatistics in the College of Health at OSU and is the Director of the Survey Research Center (SRC). She received her PhD in Statistics in 2016 from the University of California, Los Angeles and her research interests focus broadly on sampling methodology, social network analysis, and applied statistics in the areas of social science, public health, epidemiology, and environmental science. Dr. McLaughlin is a member of the Hard-to-Reach Population Methods Research Group (HPMRG) and consults on design and analysis for a number of sampling-related projects, including for trafficked populations, populations at high risk for HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19 prevalence studies. For the latter, she has worked on incorporating spatiotemporal environmental wastewater data into an adaptive sampling framework and prediction models.
 
As the EHSC biostatistician, Dr. McLaughlin provides biostatistics assistance on study design, grant proposal preparation, data analysis, and results interpretation to Center Investigators as they plan, implement and prepare publications on their projects. She is also interested in collaborating to develop customized statistical methods when existing tools are not available. Contact Katie McLaughlin for consultation at [email protected].

Bioinformatics 

A vast array of bioinformatics support is available through the TRSC. Ed Davis, PhD a bioinformatics analyst at the Center for Quantitative Life Sciences (CQLS), provides guidance on study design and appropriate bioinformatic tools and techniques.  

Bioinformatics training and support is available for:  

• de novo genome and transcriptome assembly and annotation 

• shotgun metagenome and microbiome/metabarcoding 

• single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and variant calling 

• differential gene expression/RNA-Seq 

• R and python coding 

• infrastructure onboarding 

• Phylogenetics/phylogenomics 

• comparative genomic analyses 

• and other custom support as needed. 

The CQLS has several other analysts available for both long- and short-term assistance (% FTE and hourly rates available).

Freezer Space

The CEC and TRSC provide access to a -80°C Fisher Isotemp ultra-low freezer for use by center members and pilot project investigators. Freezer space is complimentary for pilot projects and available to center members at a nominal cost (contact us for specific charges tailored to your needs). Complimentary freezer space for pilot projects is limited, inquire for more information.