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Division of Data
Analytics and Training

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Applying Data Science to Promote Discovery and Growth

BeVera is dedicated to training our nation's public health professionals in data science concepts and techniques. Our data science trainers are industry experts with over 15 years of industry experience in developing and deploying data science products and models. We are proud

to be one of the top data science trainers for CDC, having successfully delivered  over 10,000 person-hours of data science training to the agency's top scientists and researchers.

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In addition to data science training, we also provide top-notch analysis and quality support services. Our analytic staff are well-versed in current data science methodologies and techniques and make valuable contributions to our customers' projects and programs.

Read on to learn more about the division's work and accomplishments.
Data Science Training for
CDC's Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services and National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases

BeVera began training CDC personnel in data science in 2019 after receiving a request from CDC's Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS). We delivered our three-hour Introduction to Data Science course in person at the agency's Chamblee campus.

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The success of our engagement with CSELS sparked interest from CDC's National Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Infectious Diseases (NCEZID). The Office of the Director (OD) at NCEZID asked BeVera to deliver two and a half days of data science training to a cohort of state-level bioinformaticians and epidemiologists convening at an Association of Public Health Laboratories conference in Utah.

 

We successfully designed and delivered that training to the cohort of 25 public health professionals. Significantly, this training allowed us to identify the differing needs among public health professionals. Delivering our training to two distinct groups of professionals revealed that bioinformaticians and epidemiologists have very different data acquisition, analysis, and modeling needs. We used feedback from our trainees to develop audience-centered optimization strategies for future CDC training opportunities.

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Data Science Training for
CDC University

Following the success of our data science training work for NCEZID, the center's leadership team informed BeVera about CDC University (CDCU). The team urged us to pursue having our data science training accepted by CDCU in order to reach more organizations and professionals at CDC. 

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BeVera subsequently bid on the 2020/2021 CDC University Request for Quote, and CDCU accepted all 14 of the data science training courses, ranging from introductory to advanced-level, that we submitted. We immediately received requests to deliver data science training through CDCU in a virtual format to accommodate the new virtual learning environment necessitated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data Science Training for
CDC's Center for Preparedness and Response

In December of 2020, BeVera received requests from CDC's Center for Preparedness and Response (CPR) to deliver data science training specifically for its staff. We successfully delivered two courses, Basics of R Programming and Statistical Analysis in R, to CPR

staff in a virtual format, and we were incredibly pleased by how well both courses were received.

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Data Science Training for
CDC's Data Science Academy

In January of 2021, BeVera was asked to submit a proposal for developing the training curriculum for CDC's first Data Science Academy. We developed a clear roadmap for the academy, articulating the specific courses and learning objectives that would ensure a successful data science certificate program for its participants. We were truly honored to have our proposal selected above all others that were submitted.

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We designed our six-month curriculum for the Data Science Academy specifically for beginners. The courses emphasized applied learning and provided participants with real-world public health learning exercises, maximizing the relevance of the concepts being taught.

 

After our training program was announced, CDC received over 250 applications for the 25 allotted participant slots in the academy's first cohort. Due to the overwhelming interest in and demand for our training, CDC leadership increased the size of the cohort, allowing a total of 40 participants. On April 5, 2021, the Data Science Academy was officially launched with BeVera as its primary trainer, responsible for delivering all 13 of its core courses.

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BeVera has successfully trained and graduated 95 of CDC's top scientists and researchers from the Data Science Academy, and we are currently teaching the academy's third cohort. The program has increased in size, with each cohort composed of 60 participants split into three groups.

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Another measure of BeVera's success comes directly from participants in the Data Science Academy training program. Participants have communicated that the training they received from us has enabled them to perform unique and novel analysis and modeling on existing datasets.

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Thanks to BeVera's outstanding reviews from the Data Science Academy's participants and program coordinators, we are now in discussions to schedule the Data Science Academy's 2023 training delivery dates.

Data Quality and Analysis Support for 
CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases,
Immunization Services Division

BeVera currently provides support for the Immunization Services Division (ISD) of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases in developing and implementing an evaluation plan, data analysis, and report creation for federal agency progress and outcomes related to the COVID-19 vaccination effort. Our analytic staff support deep deep dives on data quality issues, outreach to federal partners, and more comprehensive data visibility for underserved populations, specifically tribes served through Indian Health Service (IHS) and non-IHS affiliated clinic sites.

 

Our services for ISD include, but are not limited to, the following:

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  • Performing data analysis and ensuring statistical accuracy in planning data collection procedures.​

  • Conducting analytical investigations using scientific methodology and problem solving

  • Selecting approaches to solve problems.

  • Recognizing subtle distinctions in statistical results that require deviation from conventional rules and selects appropriate techniques, adapting them if necessary.

  • Performing and monitoring the full range of specialized tests and non-routine procedures for which there are standard methods and techniques.

  • Preparing routine reports on studies and projects.

  • Applying knowledge of technical rules/procedures for maintaining documentation and preparing analyses and reports of findings for tests and studies.

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Data Quality and Analysis Support for 
CDC's National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases,
One Health Office

BeVera supports the CDC One Health Office, which supports infectious and zoonotic diseases at the animal-human-environment interface. Our analytic staff provide support in pandemic preparedness, outbreak response and prevention, and COVID-19 epidemiological, scientific, and programmatic management to aid One Health Activities.

 

Our services for One Health include, but are not limited, to the following:

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  • Developing guidance, standard operating procedures, protocols, presentations, and manuscripts for One Health activities

  • Providing subject matter expertise on protocol development, guidance, and standard operating procedures to epidemiological investigations and studies relating to animals and zoonotic diseases, including COVID-19

  • Abstracting, interpreting, analyzing, and synthesizing primary and secondary data from COVID studies or surveillance

  • Compiling and managing data and databases, including laboratory and surveillance data generated from epidemiological studies

  • Conducting analytics and generating data visualizations using R

  • Assisting with surveillance management and reporting obligations

  • Working with One Health team members to develop and implement One Health guidelines, toolkits, and other documents related to surveillance, testing, and management of animals during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Conducting quantitative and qualitative systematic reviews and literature searches to support the development of evidence-based recommendations or identifications of gaps related to zoonoses and One Health for COVID-19 and other potential pandemics

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