PSM in Biomedical and Health Informatics Program – Internship Presentations

Students in the Professional Science Master’s in Biomedical and Health Informatics Program complete an internship that synthesizes knowledge gleaned from the program curriculum. The purpose of the internship is to expand classroom learning to include “hands-on” experience in health IT.

In this occasion Rekha Divakaran and Lindsay Soo will be presenting their internship projects via Zoom.

Titles and abstracts below:

The AnalyzeMed Project: implementing pharmacogenomics into clinical practice and research

Presenter: Rekha Divakaran

Abstract: Pharmacogenomics is the scientific discipline that understands how genetic variability affects drug treatment outcomes. As this science continues to play a more integral role in clinical decision making and as genomic data becomes integrated into health IT systems, there needs to be a way to utilize this information. The AnalyzeMed project is an ongoing pharmacogenomics endeavor that seeks to “ gather a deeper understanding of the potentially adverse interactions between genes/polymorphisms and prescription medications/molecules”, specifically in the African American patient population. The main objective of this project is to create different links between the following information: the medications and/or drug molecules, the genetic variants/mutations/polymorphisms, the adverse reactions, and its related literature and publications found on PubMed. This data is collected and then compiled into a database that is both searchable and easily accessible to its users. As this system develops, it ideally will be linked to other health information systems such as EHRs, which then can be utilized for clinical decision support during the input of medication orders by providers. In addition, this database can be used by researchers and patients to retrieve information about different genetic polymorphisms, their relationships to medications, and the subsequent adverse effects.

Web Development and Accessibility in Public Health Research Projects and Initiatives

Presenter: Lindsay Soo 

Abstract: Web and app technology are now an integral part of Public Health education. Connected Health Applications and Interventions (CHAI Core) partners with the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Nutrition Obesity Research Center, among others. CHAI was contracted to develop an online food hub to stimulate the local economy, provide healthy options for food insecure families, as well as a safe distribution location in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, there are several other projects involving supporting post-surgical cancer patients, as well as longform web projects for weight loss among economically disadvantaged adults. Using best practices in web development, health data structure, and accessibility, CHAI creates platforms for improving Public Health in NC.