Director: Aimin Chen, MD, PhD
This service provides the initial point-of-contact to assist investigators in refining central hypotheses and suggesting a human study design to address the EHS question via IHFSC resources. A full study protocol and needs assessment is subsequently evaluated by the IHSFC Utilization Committee to determine the feasibility of the proposed study and allocate necessary resources. The Human Study Design and Performance Service helps to address EHS questions by 1) providing assistance with identification of exposed populations through interactions with the Community Engagement Core (CEC); 2) applying epidemiological principles to design pilot studies or more comprehensive population-based studies; and 3) supporting use of state-of-the-art outcome measures including questionnaires and survey tools. This service determines the need for Population Exposure Services, Pre-Clinical and Human Exposure Laboratories, the CEET Virtual Biorepository, and the Biostatistics Service to develop the most appropriate human study to address the proposed study questions and hypotheses.