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IMCI Invites DAG and MAG Grant Applications

IMCI invites applications for two of our initiatives. Both initiatives support research that involves modeling from any field. Also note that we are hosting a Brown Bag Lunch discussion of DAGs specifically for researchers from CLASS and other colleges that may be unaware of the opportunities we offer – see details below. Anyone who wants to learn more about out Data Access Grants is welcome to attend.

Data Access Grants – DAGs

To enable researchers to generate preliminary data for research grant proposals, IMCI is awarding Data Access Grants (DAGs). These grants do not cover personnel; rather, they cover costs (generally <$4000) to generate needed data. Examples of services and items we will consider include DNA sequencing, ddPCR, cryo-EM, mass spectrometry, reagents for an experiment, data purchase, a pilot survey, or software. We will consider other requests in the range of a few thousand dollars with strong justification related to a specific modeling-based grant proposal. Any area of research that involves modeling will be considered. DAG deadlines will occur 4 times per year.  The next deadline is October 12th. Review the guidelines for information on how to apply. 

A Brown Bag Lunch discussing DAGs is scheduled for September 21st at 12:30 by Zoom https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/83682698077.

Modeling Access Grants – MAGs

IMCI supports individuals or groups preparing to submit grant proposals within the next year through the Modeling Access Grant (MAG) Program. MAGs do not provide funding but rather expertise in the modeling aspects of a grant proposal, including developing preliminary models for inclusion in the proposal. Any area of research that involves modeling will be considered. Applicants should consult IMCI Associate Director Marty Ytreberg prior to developing a MAG proposal to obtain advice on whether current Collaboratorium resources match the investigator’s needs. MAG proposals are short and will be accepted anytime during the year; the approval process can generally be completed within two weeks of receipt of the final proposal.

Funding Opportunities

Spring 2021 Carpentries Workshops Announced

Spring 2021 Carpentries Workshops Announced

The Carpentries training program aims to improve data literacy and reproducible science. IMCI sponsors the University of Idaho as a member in the organization.

Postdocs and graduate students will run 3 workshops this spring for upper-level undergraduate students, new graduate students and anyone else interested in good-practices in data management and analysis.

STUDENTS can register for academic credit

Students wishing to take the workshops for credit need to register via the UI course schedule for any combination of BCB 503 01, BCB 503 02, and/or BCB 503 03. Each workshop is 1 credit each.

NON-STUDENTS must also register to attend

If you do not want academic credit, you may attend any workshop for free but must still register. Space is limited.

Unix, Git, and Programming (R/Python) for Novices

Workshop dates: January 19 – February 4; T/Th, 2-5 p.m.

Instructors: Breanna Sipley, Travis Seaborn, Chava Castaneda, Li Huang, Erich Seamon, Angela Crabtree, Akorede Seriki

Description: Software Carpentry aims to help researchers get their work done in less time and with less pain by teaching them basic research computing skills. This hands-on workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including program design, version control, data management, and task automation in Unix, GitHub, R, and Python. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems. The course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers but is open to all. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of the tools that will be presented at the workshop. Participants must have a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that they have administrative privileges on. All participants should attend the Unix/Git sections (first week). The R (second week) and Python (third week) sections will each be taught as independent sections.

View Code of Conduct, Detailed Schedule & Set Up Requirements

Data Wrangling and Processing for Genomics

Workshop dates: March 2-11; T/Th, 2-5 p.m.

Instructors: JT Van Leuven, Angela Crabtree, Lukas Grossfurthner, Amanda Stahlke, Travis Seaborn, Breanna Sipley

Description: Data Carpentries aims to teach researchers basic concepts, skills, and tools for working with data so that they can get more done in less time, and with less pain. This hands-on workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including best practices for organization of bioinformatics projects and data, use of command-line utilities, use of command-line tools (shell and R) to analyze sequence quality and perform variant calling, connecting to and using cloud (AWS) computing, and visualizing genomic data. The course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers but is open to all. While the course is designed for learners that have no prior experience with the tools covered in the workshop, some familiarity with biological concepts (DNA, mutation, population variation) will be useful. Participants must have a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that they have administrative privileges on.

View Code of Conduct, Detailed Schedule & Set Up Requirements

Advanced Geospatial Analysis

Workshop dates: April 20-29; T/Th, 2-5 p.m.

Instructors: Erich Seamon, Li Huang, Travis Seaborn, Lukas Grossfurthner

Description: This hands-on workshop will focus on managing and understanding spatial data formats, understanding coordinate reference systems, and working with raster and vector data in R for analysis and visualization. The course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers but is open to all. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems. Introductory knowledge of R is suggested.

View Code of Conduct, Detailed Schedule & Set Up Requirements

Get Involved, Seminars & Workshops

Register to Attend a Carpentries Course

The topics of upcoming workshops are always up for discussion and depend on your input. If you have workshops suggestions or requests, please email JT Van Leuven.

If you are a student wishing to take any of these courses for academic credit, please register via the U of I Course Schedule.

SPRING 2021 WORKSHOPS

Unix, Git, and Programming (R/Python) for Novices

Workshop dates: January 19 – February 4; T/Th, 2-5 p.m.

Instructors: Breanna Sipley, Travis Seaborn, Chava Castaneda, Li Huang, Erich Seamon, Angela Crabtree, Akorede Seriki

Description: Software Carpentry aims to help researchers get their work done in less time and with less pain by teaching them basic research computing skills. This hands-on workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including program design, version control, data management, and task automation in Unix, GitHub, R, and Python. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems. The course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers but is open to all. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of the tools that will be presented at the workshop. Participants must have a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that they have administrative privileges on. All participants should attend the Unix/Git sections (first week). The R (second week) and Python (third week) sections will each be taught as independent sections.

NON-STUDENT REGISTRATION: Unix, Git, and Programming (R/Python) for Novices

(If you are a student, please register via the Course Catalog.)

Data Wrangling and Processing for Genomics

Workshop dates: March 2-11; T/Th, 2-5 p.m.

Instructors: JT Van Leuven, Angela Crabtree, Lukas Grossfurthner, Amanda Stahlke, Travis Seaborn, Breanna Sipley

Description: Data Carpentries aims to teach researchers basic concepts, skills, and tools for working with data so that they can get more done in less time, and with less pain. This hands-on workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including best practices for organization of bioinformatics projects and data, use of command-line utilities, use of command-line tools (shell and R) to analyze sequence quality and perform variant calling, connecting to and using cloud (AWS) computing, and visualizing genomic data. The course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers but is open to all. While the course is designed for learners that have no prior experience with the tools covered in the workshop, some familiarity with biological concepts (DNA, mutation, population variation) will be useful. Participants must have a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that they have administrative privileges on.

NON-STUDENT REGISTRATION: Data Wrangling and Processing for Genomics

(If you are a student, please register via the Course Catalog.)

Advanced Geospatial Analysis

Workshop dates: April 20-29; T/Th, 2-5 p.m.

Instructors: Erich Seamon, Li Huang, Travis Seaborn, Lukas Grossfurthner

Description: This hands-on workshop will focus on managing and understanding spatial data formats, understanding coordinate reference systems, and working with raster and vector data in R for analysis and visualization. The course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers but is open to all. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems. Introductory knowledge of R is suggested.

NON-STUDENT REGISTRATION: Advanced Geospatial Analysis

(If you are a student, please register via the Course Catalog.)

Get Involved, Seminars & Workshops

Pilot Grant Slides Available for Download

Pilot Grant Slides Available for Download

For future reference or if you weren’t able to attend the Brown Bag Lunch yesterday, here are the slides presented by IMCI Director Holly Wichman regarding our Pilot Grant program. Please remember, you are welcome to reach out to the leadership team directly and at any time if you have questions about whether your research fits within the goals and objectives of IMCI.

Download slides from the Information Session held on Oct. 22, 2020.

Brown Bag Lunch, Funding Opportunities, Pilot Programs

Idaho Represented at National Diversity Conference

Three graduate students and 1 postdoctoral fellow from the University of Idaho are attending the 2020 SACNAS virtual conference this week thanks to IMCI and the Lauren Ancel Meyers Scholarship fund.

Dr. Meyers, a featured Seminar Speaker earlier this semester, is the Cooley Centennial Professor of Integrative Biology and Statistics & Data Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. She has been a pioneer in the application of computational models to improve outbreak detection, forecasting and control. Professor Meyers leads an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and public health experts in uncovering the drivers of epidemics and building practical tools for the CDC and other global health agencies to track and mitigate viral threats, including COVID-19, pandemic influenza, Ebola, HIV, and Zika.

SACNAS serves as a broadly inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professional in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership within STEM.

This multidisciplinary and multicultural event includes motivational keynote speakers, student research presentations, cultural celebrations and 1-on-1 mentoring opportunities.

Congratulations to scholarship recipients Travis Seaborn, Chava Castaneda, Breanna Sipley and Kristen Martinet.

Congratulations, Get Involved