Course Directors

Psychosocial factors related to mortality, morbidity and functional status; assessing quality of life among chronically ill adult; adherence with medical regiments.

Dr. Edelman’s primary research interest is in randomized trials of novel system redesign interventions to improve chronic illness outcomes. He has led several studies of re-design interventions in both screening and outcomes. He has a special focus on diabetes as a model chronic illness for his interventions. He also has a strong interest in research education for physicians and medical students.

Simon Gregory’s research applies the experience he gained from leading the mapping of the mouse genome and the sequencing of human chromosome 1 for the Human Genome Project to elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying multi-factorial diseases. His primary area of research involves the identification of the genetic, genomic, and epigenetic factors that give rise to the development of chronic complex disease. Dr. Gregory is Director of the Duke Epigenetics and Epigenomics Program and Director of the Duke Bioinformatics Workshop, a forum for researchers to gain in-depth experience using publicly available molecular genomics databases.

The focus of our work is on understanding how dendritic cells and other myeloid cells initiate and regulate immune responses. We are also using our knowledge of immunology to develop diagnostics and therapeutics for a variety of human diseases.

Design and analysis of clinical trials, survival analysis, statistical analysis of biomarker and microarray data, development and validation of prognostic models.

Aging and economics research interests encompass long-term care financing and long-term care policy; impact of family caregiving on health and economic outcomes of care recipients and caregivers; design and evaluation of family caregiver training programs intended to optimize caregiver and care recipient outcomes; health care delivery for persons with functional and cognitive limitations, including end-of-life care; policy evaluation.

Molecular mechanisms of vascular remodeling; signaling by endothelial receptor tyrosine kinases.

Progesterone and preterm birth prevention, preterm premature rupture of membranes, serum markers of infection, and apoptosis in fetal membranes

Include broadly the application of quantitative methods, especially mathematical modeling and decision analysis, to problems in women’s health. Recent and current activities include integration of simulation modeling and systematic reviews to inform decisions surrounding cervical, ovarian, and breast cancer prevention and control, screening for postpartum depression, and management of uterine fibroids.    We are also engaged in exploring methods for integrating guidelines development and research prioritization.    In addition, I have ongoing collaborations using the tools of decision analysis with faculty in other clinical areas  Research is conducted through the Division of Reproductive Sciences in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Evidence Synthesis Group in the Duke Clinical Research Institute, and the Duke Cancer Institute.  I’m also the course director for CRP 259, “Decision Sciences in Clinical Research”, in Duke’s Clinical Research Training Program.

Comparative effectiveness, patient-centered outcomes, pragmatic health services research in Cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.

Statistical: Longitudinal data analysis, hierarchical linear models, mixed models, psychometrics, reliability and scale construction.
Collaborative: Aging and geriatrics/gerontology, especially prospective epidemiologic studies and clinical trials of mortality, function, disability, dementia, depression, health service use and comorbidity.

Dr. Simon is a bioethicist and medical anthropologist.  He teaches and studies methods for improving the responsible conduct of research (RCR) and the protection of human participants in research. He has written on the ethics of research recruitment and informed consent in cancer trials, researcher identity, community health services research, and genomics research.

Implementing best practices; Mental illness in Primary care with a focus on depression and dementia; Quality indicators; Systematic reviews; Effectiveness Trials