Get Expert Advice
We offer easy access to consulting services for USC and CHLA employees, along with those of our Clinical and Community Partners.
Biostatistics
Biostatistics and Bioinformatics advice to support efficient and accurate data collection and analysis, and to help researchers avoid translational research pitfalls. Services include:
- Brief biostatistical consultation
- Study/experimental design
- Scientific writing support
- Statistical analysis
Conduct Human Studies and Trials
Expertise in developing and conducting human studies and trials, along with guidance to available facilities and infrastructure at USC Keck and CHLA.
- Study feasibility and design consultation
- Preliminary budget preparation assistance
- Grant submission letters of support
- Explanation of available sites and services
Community-Engaged Research
Guidance in creating team-based, project-focused, bi-directional partnerships vital to creating and sustaining trust between the academic and local communities. Among the topics:
- Assistance with research design and recruitment
- Academic/community matchmaking to find the right academic or community partner for your project needs
- Assistance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications and needs
- Training on how to conduct community-engaged research
Data Management
Informatics/data management assistance to help streamline data collection and sharing processes, enabling researchers to focus on their real interest: translational research. Offerings are:
- Wiki/intranet information sharing
- Using electronic data capture tools
Training and Education
Training and Education programs provide support undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral students, staff, and faculty. Some of the services include:
- Academic counseling
- Career development
- Mentor-mentee matchmaking services
- Formulating a mentoring team
Get Help with Translational Team Building
Guidance on developing research collaborations, identifying research expertise from SC CTSI’s academic, clinical and community partners, upcoming grant opportunities, and research team building:
- Finding collaborators
- Identifying funding possibilities, in and outside the SC CTSI
- Forming or joining a translational team
Regulatory Knowledge and Support
Aid with navigating the complex translational-research regulatory environment, and with designing efficient studies that comply with all FDA rules and guidances. Among the topics:
- Advice on regulatory issues regarding medical product development, IDE and IND development
- Educational offerings in regulatory science
- Assistance with regulatory filings
Pre-clinical Translation of Your Discovery
One-stop, integrated translational project management aid that includes the SC CTSI, USC Stevens Institute or Children's Hospital Los Angeles Office of Technology Transfer, and USC Office of Compliance. Services include:
- Translational/technical feasibility assessment
- Translational project plan development and management
- Commercial feasibility assessment
- Intellectual property management
- Conflict of interest guidance/management
- Electronic research lab reporting
- Team development
Research Ethics
Guidance on how to anticipate and respond to ethical issues in grant applications, IRB review, study execution and the publication of results. For example:
- Advice regarding design of research projects (clinical equipoise, obligations to community, etc.)
- Application of research ethics rules (special populations, consent, etc.)
- Construction of data monitoring activities for clinical trials
- Consultation about general research ethical concerns (research integrity, etc.)
- Help with ethical issues arising within research team (conflicts of interest, etc.)
- Review of a study's potential ethical or social implications (sensitive topics, etc.)