Clinical Research

Biomedical Informatics and Data Coordination

Coordinating centers are essential to multicenter research initiatives serving as centralized hubs that aggregate, manage, and analyze complex biomedical and administrative data. Our team of data experts, bioinformaticians, statisticians, project managers, programmers, and research associates collate public health data and provide valuable insights on a wide range of issues. We utilize cutting-edge informatics approaches to integrate, harmonize, and analyze health-related data from various sources, including electronic health records (EHRs), patient-reported outcomes, and laboratory measures. By employing common data models and advanced data science techniques, we support complex, multicenter analyses for diverse health research questions. By leveraging Westat’s data ecosystem platform, our experts apply natural language processing (NLP) to standardize clinical text, integrate with health care systems using HL7 and FHIR standards, and automate the production of analytical datasets through cloud technologies. Our experts leverage cutting-edge technologies, such as quantum computing and generative AI to address complex computational problems for our clients. These approaches have revealed how environmental exposures affect human health over a lifetime, what research programs reduce HIV incidence rates in at-risk youth, and the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on community transmission and the blood supply. We support the investigation of underlying genetic components related to heart, lung, and blood disorders, coordinate the development of large-scale omics datasets to inform precision medicine initiatives, and so much more.

Clinical Infrastructure and Support

Westat has over 25 years of experience supporting the operational and informatics needs of large clinical trial networks. Our GCP-trained professional services and information technology teams provide innovative, bespoke services optimized for efficiency and tailored to the unique needs of the member institutions. We have substantial experience facilitating decisionmaking within stakeholder communities and using those requirements to successfully develop and implement processes, tools, and applications to centralize and streamline the multifaceted activities of conducting clinical trials. Our diverse and talented team includes project managers, solution architects and programmers, business analysts, protocol and regulatory specialists, data managers, and research associates.

Clinical Trials

Building on 60 years of clinical research experience, Westat serves as an operations, coordination, and data management center evaluating drugs and therapeutics for our federal, commercial, and university clients. Westat transcends the traditional Contract Research Organization (CRO) role by becoming true scientific partners to our clients. We leverage our extensive expertise and innovative approaches to deliver tailored solutions, ensuring exceptional outcomes and fostering long-term collaborations. Our team has experience designing and implementing clinical studies for oncology, pediatrics, infectious diseases, vaccines, rare and emerging diseases, and more. We work as an extension of your team, designing and implementing innovative, rigorous, credible clinical studies that deliver high value and cost efficiency. Westat will partner with you every step of the way—addressing challenges with creativity and integrity. We have proven our ability to quickly adjust to shifting priorities during the clinical research process. We pride ourselves on creative problem-solving, attributed to years of experience evaluating treatments and working to effectively address emerging infectious diseases.

Disease Epidemiology

Our team of epidemiologists, supported by advanced data science, look for the causes and risk factors of disease by studying patterns, frequencies, and preventive interventions across populations and locations. Our research addresses critical public health questions, such as the comparative effectiveness of FDA-approved vaccines. We use innovative tools, including virtual data collection platforms and at-home participant specimen collection, to remotely conduct nationwide research. Our work expands on existing scientific literature while including a wider range of populations in research, fostering comprehensive representation in clinical studies.

Real-World Data and Evidence

We deliver real-world insights on the safety, effectiveness, and impact of vaccines, drugs, biologics, and devices by leveraging existing comprehensive data and generating new target research to help expand and optimize their use in diverse populations. Our multidisciplinary team consists of clinical epidemiologists, statisticians, informaticians, and health economists, and our work spans 4 domains. First, we conduct post-marketing studies, drawing upon integrated health care system data, national aggregate data, and evidence from pragmatic field studies. Our team is experienced with conducting post-marketing comparative effectiveness, prospective cohort, and safety surveillance studies. Second, we provide advanced statistical and modeling services to generate actionable insights. Third, we support commercial partners through all stages of integrated evidence generation, including cost-effectiveness analyses, averted burden assessments, and pricing research. Finally, we assist in scientific and public health preparedness for potential health emergencies.