Exciting research news!

UMBC has been selected to participate in the pilot cohort of the All of Us Data Training and Engagement for Academic Libraries Program presented by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the All of Us Research Program. Representing UMBC in this cohort will be Brianna Hughes, Jasmine Shumaker and Semhar Yohannes.

Acknowledging the contributions of libraries to scientific research teams, this Program is designed to build and strengthen the research capacity of libraries at institutions with a significant percentage of students from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical workforce, such as ours. The Program will encourage our academic librarians to learn about the All of Us Researcher Workbench dataset and enhance their skills in biomedical and public health data and our Library's research capacity through engagement in an exciting community-learning cohort.

Data-driven research continues to be a priority for academic institutions as it contributes to providing information about diseases, risk factors, and public health, and can increase academic publication rates and grant awards. Participation in this program will help raise our research profile, expand publications, and assist our students and researchers by providing access to one of the largest, richest, most diverse biomedical datasets of its kind.

The All of Us Research Program dataset offers access to a diverse, longitudinal dataset that can be used by student and faculty who may not have access to other datasets. The NIH has worked with research communities and community members to ensure a robust research protocol that respects participants and the needs of the research community. This dataset includes biological and social determinants of health data on a large, inclusive scale, that follows participants as they move, age, and grow. It is beneficial for students and researchers in social sciences as well as biomedical and public health programs.

To address Program objectives and facilitate an institutional infrastructure and capacity-building, participation in the Program makes us eligible for an infrastructure award of up to $43,000.

We hope you are as excited as we are to have been selected for such a wonderful opportunity. We will continue to update you on our progress throughout the program.

Brianna Hughes, Jasmine Shumaker and Semhar Yohannes.