Scientific Culture and Accountability Plan (SCAP)

As a Center within the Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics (B&B), the Center for Statistical Genetics and Genomics (StatGen) maintains the expectation to uphold the Culture and Values and Recommended Best Practices as defined in the B&B Scientific Culture and Accountability Plan (SCAP).  This document serves to define StatGen-specific operations and goals with respect to fulfilling the Center’s vision and mission.

Organizational Statements

Vision

An integrated and productive statistical genetics and genomics academic community at Duke University.

Mission

The mission of StatGen is to unite investigators from quantitative disciplines with a focus on genetics and genomics.  StatGen optimizes opportunities for collaboration by building on research interests of faculty, investigators and students spanning Duke University and aligning those with intersecting research goals.  Pulling together quantitatively oriented scientists from various disciplines leads to teams that consist of diverse skill sets and perspectives allowing for Duke to excel as a leading center of genomic focused statistical and computational methods development.

Values

  1. Breakdown traditional barriers between disciplines and leverage the expertise among quantitative and computational investigators working on similar problems
  2. Address critical gaps in the ability to deliver on the promises of the “genomic revolution”
  3. Foster growth in related fields by pooling resources
  4. Support the development of future genomic scientists

Goals

  1. Increase cross-topic/discipline collaboration to elevate research and optimize funding opportunities
  2. Create a common laboratory environment for faculty, staff and students
  3. Provide infrastructure to support research initiatives for StatGen members, staff and students

Strategic Focus Research Areas

  1. Genomic characterization: methods for measuring, annotating, and prioritizing genomic sequences and the variation found within them
  2. Genetic architecture: methods for characterizing the extent of genetic control of a disease phenotype as well as the identification of specific genetic factors influencing disease risk (gene discovery)
  3. Prediction/genomic interpretation: methods for estimating disease risk based on genomic and other risk factors as well as formalizing approaches for attributing the likely genetic cause of an individual case of disease
  4. Functional studies: methods for the design and analysis of studies designed to evaluate the functional impact of mutations and the effect interventions have on normalizing disease phenotypes within these model systems

Organizational Structure

Participants

  • Members [as appointed by StatGen Director]: Duke University personnel with primary affiliation with StatGen; opportunity to receive direct support from StatGen resources and infrastructure, in addition to participation in research initiatives and activities
    • Faculty, Staff or Student [as defined by Duke]
  • Affiliates [as appointed by StatGen Director]: Duke University personnel with a research interest or focus in genetics/genomics and/or quantitative sciences; opportunity to participate in StatGen research initiatives and activities
    • Faculty, Staff or Student [as defined by Duke]

StatGen Roles

  • Administration
    • Director [as defined by School of Medicine and B&B Leadership]
      1. Responsible for oversight of research initiatives and activities and defining participant roles
      2. Serves as primary contact for StatGen research inquiries, including, but not limited to, suggestions for future activities, working group topics, speakers, concerns or conflicts
    • Assistant Director of Strategy and Operations [as defined by StatGen Director]
      1. Responsible for oversight of operations, office space and coordination of all research initiatives and activities
      2. Serves as secondary contact for StatGen research inquiries, including, but not limited to, suggestions for future activities, working group topics, speakers, concerns or conflicts
  • Programmatic/Research Initiatives
    • Lead, Co-Lead [as defined by StatGen Director]

Research Initiatives and Activities

  • Working Groups: members and affiliates meeting to further research on a defined topic in support of one or more of the strategic focus research areas
    1. Three active working groups at any given time
    2. StatGen Director, with input from members and affiliates, identifies working group topics
  • Projects: members and affiliates meeting to further research on defined topic in support of one or more of the working groups
  • Seminars: invited talks exploring topics related to statistical genetics and genomics, strategic focus research areas, active working groups and/or active projects
  • Chalk Talks: invited talk highlighting an individual’s general research themes and future directions; opportunity to explore possible collaborations
  • Retreat: members and affiliates highlighting StatGen activities, successes, future directions

Additional Resources

StatGen Website: http://statgen.duke.edu/

B&B Website: https://biostat.duke.edu/

SOM Website: https://medschool.duke.edu/

Duke Website: https://www.duke.edu/