Informatics Core

The mission of the Informatics Core (IC) is to ensure that investigators with GAC-approved protocols obtain the informatics services they require for the success of their research. To achieve this the IC consults with investigators during all stages of clinical research - from protocol development to final data archiving - offering informatics expertise and services.

The new IC Systems Manger (SM) is Steven Sotero. The SM maintains the computers and applications, reviews protocols, consults with investigators, coordinates resource utilization, and trains users. The SM acts as a liaison with the other Information Technology (IT) groups at the NYU Medical Center in particular the IT and networking groups of the School of Medicine and the hospitals where the GCRC and its investigators are active.

The IC is a resource for informatics policies (HIPAA, privacy, security), best practices and other services available at the Medical Center. The IC can also assist in protocol development; accessing services; database design, development and maintenance and programming for automated data uploads or extractions; and reporting, coding, un-blinding, de-identifying and archiving data.

The IC maintains a central computer for GCRC staff and the investigators it supports, an email server, a web server, a file server (to Macs and PCs) and a database server. Backups are performed daily, with tapes stored locally and off site in fireproof safes. The IC also maintains a small user room with 3 Macs (2 G3s and a G5), 2 PCs, a high speedscanner, slide/negative scanner and highspeed printer. Extra active network ports are available in the user room and some of the exam and inpatient rooms for laptops.

The IC offers training in all software packages it supports and it coordinates training with classes offered by the School of Medicine Ehrman Library, Research Computing Resource and Skirball Institute. The IC also hosts and maintains websites for the GCRC and the local Association of Research Coordinators (http://arc.med.nyu.edu) web sites.