Dissemination and Implementation Science Core (DISC)

Closing the gap between biomedical discoveries and their impact on clinical practice and communities is important to ensure that all populations (different racial/ethnic groups, socioeconomic status, genders, and age) benefit from investments in scientific research. The D&I of nutrition and obesity research is needed to accelerate knowledge from biomedical scientific discovery to real-world settings in order to improve healthcare and reduce health disparities. D&I science aims to break down barriers between research and practice to ensure that the benefits of nutrition and obesity research will be equitable in all populations. To accomplish this, D&I science incorporates the use of innovative research designs, specific implementation strategies, specialized outcome measures, and methods to tap into stakeholder preferences.

The DISC will help NORC investigators develop the knowledge and skills needed to apply state-of-the-art D&I science to their research programs through the following two specific aims:

• To provide individual consultation and training in D&I scientific methods for nutrition and obesity research via these services:
  • Conceptualize and design implementation science studies
  • Develop a dissemination plan for studies
  • Ensure efficient use of D&I web-based toolkits and other resources
  • Conduct manuscript and grant application reviews
• To build team capacity in the broad range of skills essential for D&I research through these measures:
  • Engage NORC investigators in the WashU Network for Dissemination and Implementation Research (WUNDIR), a regularly scheduled (every 6 weeks) event that addresses methodological and conceptual challenges of research grants and publications that involve D&I science and fosters trans-disciplinary team science
  • Coordinate biannual day-long Next Steps events, in which NORC investigators form collaborative teams to develop manuscripts and/or grant proposals that incorporate D&I science into nutrition and obesity research.  The application of D&I science to T1 and T2 research provided by the DISC is cutting edge in support of the earliest phases of translational research, which will accelerate the translation of knowledge from NORC discoveries to real-world settings, and improve the potential for equitable impact on population health

Service available to All entities, including for-profit organizations.

Priority service for No distinctions.

Additional information:

Services available to members of the Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC).  Applications to the NORC can be found at https://gns.wustl.edu/research/nutrition-obesity-research-center/membership.

• Provide individual consultation in D&I scientific methods for NORC research: Conceptualize and design implementation science studies; Develop a dissemination plan for NORC studies; Facilitate efficient use of D&I web-based toolkits and resources; Manuscript and grant application reviews
• Build team capacity in the broad range of skills essential for D&I of nutrition and obesity research: Engage NORC investigators in the WashU Network for Dissemination and Implementation Research (WUNDIR); Coordinate ‘Next Steps’ events
• Training and education: Individualized consultations based on user needs

• Based on individual user needs

Please contact this core directly for pricing information.