DataLENS, a robust clinical data access tool jointly managed by the Department of Biomedical Informatics and
Data Science and the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, was awarded the AAMC Group on Information Resources (GIR) Excellence Award.
The GIR Excellence Award is given to an individual, institutional, or cross-institutional team that contributes to a work of excellence in the academic medical information technology domain and reflects a contribution that has innovative impact that is a model for other institutions to follow.
Transforming clinical research data access
DataLENS is a secure, production platform for clinical data access for research for the UAB CCTS Partner Network across the deep south. The tool is designed to solve common challenges for researchers who often must navigate multiple disconnected systems for cohort discovery, data requests, approvals, analyst support, and secure data delivery.
DataLENS brings these functions together into an integrated, governed, and transparent workflow that helps investigators move more efficiently from research question to data-driven discovery.
“Across UAB and the CCTS Partner Network, DataLENS has helped strengthen clinical and translational research by making research data access more consistent, auditable, and scalable,” said Abu Saleh Mohammad Mosa, Ph.D., M.S., FAMIA, vice chair for Clinical Research Informatics and associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science.
“It has helped improve the way researchers identify cohorts, request data, manage projects, and collaborate across teams and institutions.”
Mosa believes that this award recognizes that DataLENS is more than just a software platform. It is a practical institutional model for how academic medical centers can combine governance, self-service workflow, secure data delivery, and operational support in one environment.
It addresses a real and widespread need in research informatics and offers a replicable approach that other institutions can adapt.
“When researchers can move more efficiently from idea to cohort identification to secure data access, they are better positioned to generate evidence, support collaboration, and accelerate translation into improved care and health outcomes,” said Mosa. “The platform reinforces responsible stewardship, which is essential in clinical research.”
Mosa, on behalf of the entire DataLENS team, accepted the GIR Excellence Award during the AAMC GIR Conference in Austin, Texas.
The following were recognized: Matthew Wyatt, director of Clinical Research Informatics in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Nick Timkovich, informatics manager in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Elise Sharp, lead software architect in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Matthew Auriemma, software developer and DevOps manager in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Joseph Bryant, software developer in the Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Brian Harmon, RDW developer in the Health System Information Services; Dale Johnson, RDW developer in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Bethany Cryder, informatics architect in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Rahul Sharma, informatics architect in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Rui Zhu, data warehouse architect at UAB Medicine; Nafisa Sani, RDW developer in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Maceo Hines, RDW developer in the UAB Health System Information Services; Ayme Miles, RDW developer in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; James Cimino, M.D., distinguished professor of Medicine and chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science; Geoff Gordon, chief technology officer in the UAB Health System Information Services; Jake Chen, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Sciences; Orlando Gutierrez, M.D., vice president and senior associate dean and professor in the Department of Medicine; Jennifer Croker, Ph.D., associate professor and director in the Department of Medicine; Abu Saleh Mohammad Mosa, Ph.D., vice chair and associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Sciences