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. 2017 Jul 17;15(7):e2003082.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2003082. eCollection 2017 Jul.

Building the biomedical data science workforce

Michelle C Dunn  1 , Philip E Bourne  1
Affiliations

Building the biomedical data science workforce

Michelle C Dunn et al. PLoS Biol. .

Abstract

This article describes efforts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2013 to 2016 to train a national workforce in biomedical data science. We provide an analysis of the Big Data to Knowledge (BD2K) training program strengths and weaknesses with an eye toward future directions aimed at any funder and potential funding recipient worldwide. The focus is on extramurally funded programs that have a national or international impact rather than the training of NIH staff, which was addressed by the NIH's internal Data Science Workforce Development Center. From its inception, the major goal of BD2K was to narrow the gap between needed and existing biomedical data science skills. As biomedical research increasingly relies on computational, mathematical, and statistical thinking, supporting the training and education of the workforce of tomorrow requires new emphases on analytical skills. From 2013 to 2016, BD2K jump-started training in this area for all levels, from graduate students to senior researchers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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