Organization

The Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology (CBIIT) mission is supported by the:

• Office of the Director (OD)
• Informatics and Data Science (IDS) Program
• Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)
• NCI Office of Data Sharing (ODS)

Office of the Director (OD)

Branch Chief: Dwayne Forquer, M.B.A

The OD provides essential services and support to CBIIT by managing its business portfolio, financial and contract management, and staffing to improve the efficiency of CBIIT’s service to NCI. The OD also:

• coordinates timely and accurate information for NCI IT data calls from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), NIH, and the Office of Management and Budget.
• administers the strategic and capital planning process, conforming to federal requirements.

Informatics and Data Science Program (IDS)

Associate Director: Jill Barnholtz-Sloan, Ph.D.

The IDS Program delivers:

• standardized vocabularies and data standards.
• informatics infrastructure for NCI-sponsored precision medicine trials and clinical trials reporting.
• centralized management and coordination of scientific software and training across NCI.
• computational biology services for intramural research labs.
• data science infrastructure for data storage, access and use, which leverages cloud computing, high-performance computing, and scientific collaboration tools.

These activities further the use of informatics and data science within the cancer research community.

Clinical & Translational Research Informatics Branch (CTRIB)

Branch Chief: Umit Topaloglu, Ph.D.

CTRIB:

• provides informatics infrastructure and biomedical informatics expertise for key NCI Precision Medicine Initiatives^® such as the Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice (NCI-MATCH), NCI-COG Pediatric MATCH, and other precision medicine trials.
• provides informatics infrastructure and expertise to support the Clinical Trials Reporting Program, clinical data capture and management systems, and other NCI clinical research programs.
• provides semantic resources, such as the NCI Enterprise Vocabulary Services (EVS) and the Cancer Data Standards Registry and Repository (caDSR), to enable standards-based data sharing and research.

Data Ecosystems Branch (DEB)

Branch Chief: Tanja Davidsen, Ph.D.

DEB: 

• initiates and coordinates programs and activities to further the use of data and informatics tools throughout the cancer research community such as the Cancer Research Data Commons, specific cancer research data nodes, and the NCI Cloud Resources.
• engages with international coordinating bodies, such as the GA4GH, to strive for adherence to the Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) Data Principles.
• provides data and computing collaboration resources for NCI and the cancer research community.
• collaborates with other government agencies to advance informatics, high-performance computing, and AI for cancer research (e.g., the NCI-DOE Collaboration).

Computational Genomics & Bioinformatics Branch (CGBB)

Branch Chief: Daoud Meerzaman, Ph.D.

CGBB:

• provides advanced data analysis, scientific consultation, and training to support both the intramural and extramural NCI scientific communities. This includes two major projects—the Applied Proteogenomic OrganizationaL Learning and Outcomes (APOLLO) network, and the Cancer Immune Monitoring and Analysis Centers (CIMAC).
• designs and implements AI/ML tools and algorithms for performing integrative analysis using genomic, proteomic, and imaging data. These tools and algorithms help to make molecular subtype prediction for various solid tumor types.
• provides NCI researchers and fellows with a robust training program to learn the skills needed to use bioinformatics and computational-genomics tools to analyze, integrate, and interpret large data sets generated by next-generation sequencing platforms.

Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)

NCI Chief Information Officer and OCIO Associate Director: Jeff Shilling

The OCIO oversees the implementation of IT at NCI, considering risks; costs; efficiencies, benefits, and other opportunities; according to governing federal mandates.

Digital Services and Solutions Branch (DSSB)

Branch Chief: Sue Pan

DSSB:

• provides professional services, business intelligence, and data analytics that support NCI’s adoption of emerging digital technologies and modernization of both business process and IT service management.
• provides technical advisory and consultation for IT architecture and engineering design.
• provides governance and management of cloud computing platforms, as well as enterprise Software‐as‐a‐Service (SaaS) platforms and tools, to develop security‐accredited digital systems and software solutions.
• provides governance and management of processes for IT engineering and IT service management with a focus on human‐centered design.

NCI Cybersecurity Branch (NCB)

Branch Chief: Craig Hayn

NCB:

• secures NCI’s systems, networks, and user endpoints against viruses, malware, misconfiguration, insider threats, and cyber attackers.
• ensures all NCI’s IT systems are assessed, authorized, and monitored using the National Institute of Standards and Technology Risk Management Framework.
• provides cybersecurity incident management, response, and coordination with NIH’s Threat Management and Incident Response team.
• ensures NCI‐specific security policies, standards, and guidance are developed, maintained, and communicated to NCI staff and stakeholders.

IT Services and Support Branch (ITSSB)

Branch Chief: Eric Williams (Acting)

ITSSB:

• provides IT support for all NCI staff, which includes computing needs (e.g., laptops, desktops, network, software, and data storage).
• manages NCI’s IT infrastructure, including network resources, operational security architecture, scientific and business data repositories, telecommunications, and collaboration tools.
• provides data protection, disaster recovery, IT training, and problem tracking services.
• recommends state‐of‐the‐art scientific computing solutions and technologies and manages scientific computing support models based on NCI staff needs.

Office of Data Sharing (ODS)

Director: Jaime M. Guidry Auvil, Ph.D.

The mission of ODS is to create a comprehensive vision and strategy to enhance broad and equitable data sharing for NCI and the cancer research community at large. Data sharing is critical to foster collaboration, facilitate innovation, accelerate scientific discovery, and enhance rigor and reproducibility. ODS engages with many stakeholders within and across the cancer research community to guide interpretation and implementation of complex processes, programmatic initiatives, and policies needed to ensure impactful data sharing.

Scientific Policy and Program Branches (SPPBs)

Branch A Chief: Subhashini Jagu, Ph.D.

Branch B Chief: Emily Boja, Ph.D.

ODS has two SPPBs that jointly support the critical mission of ODS and advocate for proper balance between broad and equitable data sharing at NCI.

SPPBs:

• lead NCI’s strategic vision and implementation approaches to successfully manage, share, and access data in alignment with appropriate policies.
• establish and coordinate critical processes that ensure broad, equitable sharing and utility of data generated through NCI‐supported studies across the Institute.
• provide leadership and guidance for NCI programmatic initiatives that focus on data sharing and/or produce data or resources that are shared with the wider research community.
• evaluate and monitor data sharing activities across NCI‐supported initiatives to ensure that all required policies and processes are properly adhered to in accordance with government expectations.
• advocate for broad and equitable data sharing through development of meaningful resources to educate and incentivize various stakeholders in the cancer research community.