PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This DS-I Africa UE5 application involves a partnership between University of Rwanda (UR), African Institute
for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL), and MDClone (software
company that generates computationally-derived synthetic healthcare data), with participation from four DS-I
Africa programs: 1) “Data Science for Health in Rwanda” U2R; 2) “Computational Omics and Biomedical
Informatics Program (COBIP)” U2R, Univ Cape Town (UCT); 3) DS-I Law program; 4) Open Data Science
Platform (ODSP) and Coordinating Center (CC). The overarching goal is to provide courses for skills
development and mentored research projects using synthetic healthcare data sets generated by MDClone. The
UE5 program objectives are: Objective 1. Training in the use of synthetic healthcare data. UR/AIMS/UCT
program faculty will be trained in the use of the MDClone software through participation in short (1-2 day)
beginner/advanced courses. Under peer mentoring from current MDClone ADAMS expert users at WUSTL and
MDClone, they will gain hands-on training in the use of synthetic data. Subsequently training will be available to
MS/PhD/postdoctoral/junior faculty trainees during all 3 years. Competencies using the software will be refined
and prioritized with harmonization and standardization coordinated with other DS-I Africa U2R RTPs and
Coordinating Center for wide dissemination during years 1-3. Objective 2. Deliver a mentored, hands-on,
immersive, semester-long research project experience using synthetic healthcare data. The MDClone
ADAMS software and underlying computationally-derived “synthetic” healthcare data at WUSTL will be made
available for trainee use at UR/AIMS/UCT. Trainees will be paired with a faculty mentor and an expert MDClone
ADAMS software user to complete a research project using the “Small Research Projects (SRP)” program
funding for synthetic healthcare data research with a mentoring team. A scientific publication is expected from
each trainee. Objective 3. Evaluate short-term training and semester-long research project. Trainees and
faculty will evaluate the short-term synthetic healthcare data training program. Evaluations will be used to
improve the program over time. Exploratory Objective. Determine dissemination and long-term
sustainability for Rwanda and DS-I Africa consortium use of synthetic healthcare data. Over the course
of the 3-year program and in coordination with the DS-I Africa ODSP/CC, we will conduct regular workshops,
symposia and meetings with academic, governmental and non-governmental organization (NGS) leaders to
discuss opportunities for MDClone software use at major healthcare organizations. These conversations will set
the stage for widespread use of synthetic healthcare data in Rwanda and across DS-I Africa. Discussions with
Rwandan Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Center, National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda
(NISR), and National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) are ongoing to harness the power of
MDClone ADAMS synthetic healthcare data to address challenges in Rwanda and the DS-I Africa Consortium.