April 20th, 2020
We have had another busy week, with two projects launched, and two more new projects that we need volunteers for. We have also decided to give regular updates on Thursday nights from now on. If you want more info about certain projects, feel free to go to our website: https://columbiacovid.weebly.com/. If you want frequent updates, go to our Twitter feed.
New Projects
The high patient volume is putting stress on institutional units. Two new projects are being launched to assist with increased volume.
The NYP Department of Pharmacy reached out to us for help managing the large number of orders being placed. We are looking for individuals with a PharmD degree to assist in the NYP compounding pharmacy. Duties will primarily consist of compounding IV’s and order verification, and/or delivery of medications. We are also looking for a Project Manager for this effort (PharmD not required). Find more information and the application form here.
The Institutional Biosafety Committee is receiving a high volume of proposals for COVID-related research. They are forming a sub-committee to read and vet these proposals so that projects can be advanced as quickly as possible during the pandemic response. This opportunity is open to experienced PhD students and postdocs familiar with IRB/IACUC protocols, microbiology, biosafety, etc. Find more information and the application form here.
Project Updates
Project 7 - Serological Testing
A team of 12 volunteers started to assist with serological testing under the guidance of Dr. Hod this week. The goal for the coming days is to ramp up antibody testing from 100s to 1000s of tests each day. Frontline healthcare workers will be the first to be tested, which should have a direct impact on their safety and on hospital operations.
Project 8 - COVID19 Research Data Hub
This week, a University wide leadership committee selected CRAC Teams to take lead in the design and implementation of an overarching resource of information for COVID-19 related efforts across our institution. Data is pouring in and beta-testing is starting tomorrow. If all goes well, the database will go live for widespread access on Monday. Fingers crossed! (Go Howie and Team!!!)
Project 9 - Virtual COVID-19 Symposium
CRAC Teams has taken over organization of the weekly virtual COVID-19 symposium at Columbia, in collaboration with Andrea Califano. We had a successful meeting, including a talk by our own Ken Olive. Check out the videos.
Project 11 - NYP Hospital Assistance
We are still taking volunteers to do volunteer work at hospitals, for more info sign up here.
Project 18 - Transplant database
A team of 3 data wizards and witches has started to tackle the challenging task of building a database to consolidate transplant records across 20 centers.
Project 3 - Mask reutilization
We were part of a COVID Tech Innovation meeting to discuss the available decontamination methods for the reuse of N95 respirators. Since then, the NIAID has validated three decontamination methods for reuse of N95 respirators, one of them being dry heat. We aim to set the environmental room at UCIMC to NIAID standards. More news soon!
Stay healthy and thanks to everyone for your contributions!
We have had another busy week, with two projects launched, and two more new projects that we need volunteers for. We have also decided to give regular updates on Thursday nights from now on. If you want more info about certain projects, feel free to go to our website: https://columbiacovid.weebly.com/. If you want frequent updates, go to our Twitter feed.
New Projects
The high patient volume is putting stress on institutional units. Two new projects are being launched to assist with increased volume.
The NYP Department of Pharmacy reached out to us for help managing the large number of orders being placed. We are looking for individuals with a PharmD degree to assist in the NYP compounding pharmacy. Duties will primarily consist of compounding IV’s and order verification, and/or delivery of medications. We are also looking for a Project Manager for this effort (PharmD not required). Find more information and the application form here.
The Institutional Biosafety Committee is receiving a high volume of proposals for COVID-related research. They are forming a sub-committee to read and vet these proposals so that projects can be advanced as quickly as possible during the pandemic response. This opportunity is open to experienced PhD students and postdocs familiar with IRB/IACUC protocols, microbiology, biosafety, etc. Find more information and the application form here.
Project Updates
Project 7 - Serological Testing
A team of 12 volunteers started to assist with serological testing under the guidance of Dr. Hod this week. The goal for the coming days is to ramp up antibody testing from 100s to 1000s of tests each day. Frontline healthcare workers will be the first to be tested, which should have a direct impact on their safety and on hospital operations.
Project 8 - COVID19 Research Data Hub
This week, a University wide leadership committee selected CRAC Teams to take lead in the design and implementation of an overarching resource of information for COVID-19 related efforts across our institution. Data is pouring in and beta-testing is starting tomorrow. If all goes well, the database will go live for widespread access on Monday. Fingers crossed! (Go Howie and Team!!!)
Project 9 - Virtual COVID-19 Symposium
CRAC Teams has taken over organization of the weekly virtual COVID-19 symposium at Columbia, in collaboration with Andrea Califano. We had a successful meeting, including a talk by our own Ken Olive. Check out the videos.
Project 11 - NYP Hospital Assistance
We are still taking volunteers to do volunteer work at hospitals, for more info sign up here.
Project 18 - Transplant database
A team of 3 data wizards and witches has started to tackle the challenging task of building a database to consolidate transplant records across 20 centers.
Project 3 - Mask reutilization
We were part of a COVID Tech Innovation meeting to discuss the available decontamination methods for the reuse of N95 respirators. Since then, the NIAID has validated three decontamination methods for reuse of N95 respirators, one of them being dry heat. We aim to set the environmental room at UCIMC to NIAID standards. More news soon!
Stay healthy and thanks to everyone for your contributions!