Denise Warzel, M.Sc.

Science Program Analyst

  • Current Role

    Current Role

    I’m a science program analyst who leads the design and development of the Cancer Data Standards Registry and Repository (caDSR) infrastructure, where machine-readable definitions of Common Data Elements (CDEs), case report forms (CRFs), and data models are created, maintained, and distributed. I specialize in systems that leverage machine-readable data semantics based on common concepts to ensure data descriptions can be easily understood at all levels and are useful throughout the data lifecycle.

    My area of expertise is management and information systems. We have been using Agile development in our current caDSR projects. I also specialize in data management practices, specifically around the creation and management of information needed to accurately describe data elements and models (i.e., metadata), which is the primary mission of caDSR.

    In addition to a masters in computer science, I am certified as a COR II and SOA Analyst.

    I also serve on the NIH CDE Governance Group reviewing submissions of CDEs for NIH Endorsement, and I am Convenor JTC1 SC32 Data Management and Interchange, WG2 Metadata Standards, International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

  • Projects

    Projects

    Scientist, sitting in a lab, looking at bar chart displayed on a computer screen.
    Cancer Data Standards Registry and Repository
    Provides access to oncology research, common data elements, and forms.
  • Publications

    Publications

    View Denise’s PubMed Summary

    Featured Publications

    FAIR Data Sharing: The Roles of Common Data Elements and Harmonization. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 2020.

    Composite CDE: Modeling Composite Relationships Between Common Data Elements for Representing Complex Clinical Data. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 2020.

    Call for Data Standardization: Lessons Learned and Recommendations in an Imaging Study. JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, 2019.

  • In the News

    In the News

    Semantics Series—The Role of Common Data Elements and Artificial Intelligence
    Common Data Elements (CDEs) enrich and standardize data through consistent and accurate metadata, helping to make data ready for use in training artificial intelligence (AI) models. In this blog, Ms. Denise Warzel discusses the role of CDEs and AI in CBIIT’s Semantic Infrastructure.
    The Quest for Harmonized Data
    The quest to harmonize data has ushered in a new way of thinking about standardization. Now, rather than expecting everyone to adopt a particular model or standard, we’re seeking to leverage technology that can do some of this work for us. The DREAM Challenge was designed to make aggregating and mapping data to the correct lexicon of terms and metadata a nearly seamless step for researchers. Read more about the Challenge that’s currently underway and how we hope to address harmonization in the future.
  • Background

    Background

    Education

    • M.Sc., Computer Science, University of Oxford
    • B.B.A., Management Information Systems and Services, University of Georgia

    Previous Work

    • Independent Consultant, ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission
    • Independent Consultant, Office of Informatics and Organ Systems Branch, SPORE Programs
    • Senior Research Associate, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Cancer Center
    • Manager, International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation