Information Services (IS)

IS provides support in three main areas:

• Epi-Informatics — The application of information science, systems and technology to the field of epidemiology. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease in human populations.
• Graphics — Support for print and electronic projects with a graphic component.
• Software Development — Development of customized software to support our research and education activities

Current Projects:

Byrd Institute Research Database
and Information Infrastructure (BIRDII):
BIRDII is an online database application to support the clinical and research efforts of Florida State Memory Disorder Clinics (MDCs) under the authority of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. The database is required as part of the Alzheimer's Disease Initiative.

Byrd Alzheimer's Institute Vitamin Program:
In 2004, the Byrd Institute received $250,000 from the Florida State Office of the Attorney General for distributing vitamins free-of-charge to elders through Florida State Memory Disorder Clinics (MDCs). The IS Division designed the program, tracking system, and accompanying database.

Tracking Assets at the Byrd Institute by Category (TABICat):
This project assists our Financial Department in tracking Byrd Institute assets.

Byrd Alzheimer's Institute Clips:
The Byrd Alzheimer's Institute maintains a continually-updated repository of articles in the lay press which are of interest to those concerned about Alzheimer's disease and related issues. These articles are available to Byrd Alzheimer's Institute employees via the internally-developed Clips application. Employees can search the database using a keyword search and access links to original articles.

Byrd Alzheimer's Institute Alzheimer's News:
Alzheimer's news of interest is compiled daily from public web sites and published on the front page of this web site. Links to these news entries are searchable, and also available to be placed on customizable web sites via an RSS feed.

Byrd Alzheimer's Institute Electronic Collaboration:
As the Byrd Alzheimer's Institute cultivates statewide, national, and international collaborations, a method to support electronic collaboration became necessary. Microsoft Sharepoint software allows both internal and external collaborators to securely access files from any location through a web page interface. Currently, Sharepoint facilitates our Intranet, and the ADRC Clinical Core uses Sharepoint Services to share meeting materials.

Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) projects:

• Web Page: The IS Division is providing the technical and content support for the ADRC web page, which is the main international presence of the Florida ADRC, and is under the authority of the Florida ADRC Education Core.
• Data Management and Statistics Core: This Core of the Florida ADRC is charged with managing the data from this project, and providing support for statistical analysis. The IS Division provides consultation to this Core.