ABSTRACT The Data Management and Integration Core (DMIC) of the Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) in Era of Antiretroviral Therapy in Africa Program (KEAAP) is responsible for streamlining and coordinating data management, analytical procedures, statistical analysis, and bio-specimen storage and inventory in support of the research activities proposed by the KEAAP pilot and research projects. The DMIC will perform its responsibility in close collaboration with the Administrative Core and Career Developmental Core, and KEAAP investigators to ensure efficient protocol adherence and consistent application of high quality control, biosafety and data security practices. The DMIC will play a critical role in achieving KEAPP research objectives, and in supporting other funded projects and new initiatives thematically related to the KEAAP, as well as in the training of students, fellows, and new investigators within this HIV-associated malignancies program. The objective of DMIC is to develop advanced biostatistics and epidemiology capabilities at the Tanzania and Zambia partnering sites, through a shared and coordinated data collection system, with data integration from the existing research and clinical informatics resources at the three partner institutions to support the three proposed research project and other pilot projects. This will be achieved by the completion of three aims: 1) Provide biostatistics and bioinformatics solutions, expertise and support services for the design and conduct of KEAAP research projects in the areas of clinical, and laboratory studies and experiments. 2) Create standardized operating procedures, databases, and data collection tools to ensure quality standards throughout the 5-year study period for all KEAAP project arms. 3) Provide support and training to the KEAAP consortium. The DMIC will work with KEAAP investigators in designing, testing, and implementing online data collection tools and study databases using REDCap™ (Research Electronic Data Capture) to meet the specific needs of the investigators. The DMIC will perform all statistical analysis, and work with investigators in preparing presentations, manuscripts and progress reports. The DMIC will train and oversee personnel at each institution on data entry placing special emphasis on data integrity, security and confidentiality. Additional workshops will be conducted to increase capacity and shared knowledge across countries of the most up-to date advances in data management, sharing and software. Activities of the DMIC will facilitate the sharing of research findings and data among projects, increase collaborations between the researchers, and promote the development of new research proposals, thereby integrating the knowledge acquired.

NARRATIVE The KEAAP Data Management and Integration Core (DMIC) will establish an inter-institutional network providing study databases, biostatistics and epidemiology expertise, training, and technology support. The DMIC will work across the scientific spectrum from biology, biochemistry, and immunology to implementation science and clinical connection to support and accelerate translational research by KEAAP investigators. The DMIC is responsible for streamlining and coordinating data management, analytical procedures, statistical analysis, and biospecimen storage in support of clinical research proposed by the KEAAP research projects and pilot projects.