add dengue data hub post

posts/empowering-dengue-research-through-the-dengue-data-hub/index.qmd

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+---
+title: "Empowering Dengue Research Through the Dengue Data Hub: R Consortium Funded Initiative"
+description: "The Dengue Data Hub, an ambitious initiative funded by the R Consortium ISC, 
+transforms how researchers access and utilize dengue-related data."
+author: "R Consortium"
+image: "DengueDataHub.png"
+date: "10/15/2024"
+---
+
+![](DengueDataHub.png)
+
+The [Dengue Data Hub](https://github.com/thiyangt/denguedatahub), an ambitious initiative funded 
+by the R Consortium ISC, transforms how researchers access and utilize dengue-related data. At 
+its core, the Dengue Data Hub aims to provide a centralized repository for dengue incidence, 
+mortality, and risk-related data, streamlining the research process and empowering scientific 
+inquiry into this global health issue. The platform offers easy access through the denguedatahub 
+R package, a Shiny app, and an informative website, making data analysis more efficient and accessible.
+
+Please note: [denguedatahub version 2.1.1](https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/denguedatahub/index.html) 
+was published on CRAN on Sep 22, 2024.
+
+[Dr. Thiyanga Talagala](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thiyanga-talagala-24bb63134/), a Senior Lecturer at 
+the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka, spearheads this initiative. With a PhD from Monash 
+University, where she honed her skills in R programming and data science, Dr. Talagala is deeply 
+passionate about leveraging her expertise to address Sri Lanka’s public health challenges, particularly 
+dengue. Together with her sister, Dr. Priyanga Talagala, she co-founded the 
+[R-Ladies Colombo group](https://www.meetup.com/rladies-colombo/) and has been instrumental in 
+bringing innovative solutions to the scientific community. Dr. Talagala’s commitment to enhancing 
+dengue research through accessible data resources is central to her ongoing work, making the Dengue 
+Data Hub a vital tool for researchers worldwide.
+
+**Tell us about your background and how it connects to the Dengue Data Hub project**
+
+Currently, I am working as a Senior Lecturer, Department of Statistics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, 
+University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. I earned my PhD from Monash University, Australia. 
+During my time at Monash University in Australia, I was part of the NUMBAT research group, where I 
+developed a deep interest in the R programming language and discovered its incredible potential for 
+data analysis and research. I also had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with leading experts 
+in the field, which further fueled my passion for R and data science. I also got to know about the 
+R Ladies community, and I attended events organized by R-Ladies Melbourne. 
+
+Once I returned to Sri Lanka after completing my PhD, I felt a strong desire to contribute to my 
+country using the knowledge I had gained. I, along with my Sister, Dr Priyanga Dilini Talagala 
+(we both did our PhDs together at Monash University), established the R Ladies Colombo meetup group. 
+
+Dengue is a major public health issue in Sri Lanka. As a data scientist, I can contribute to 
+its mitigation by establishing a centralized repository for dengue data for data analysis and modeling, 
+which empowers dengue research. This project was funded by [R Consortium ISC 2022 - 1 Grant](https://r-consortium.org/all-projects/2022-group-1.html#dengue-data-hub) and 
+I have been working on it since 2022.
+
+**What is the Dengue Data Hub?**
+
+The Dengue Data Hub is a centralized repository that provides access to a variety of data
+sets related to dengue incidence and other relevant factors. This includes data on dengue
+deaths, reported cases, indigenous cases, local cases, dengue serotypes, breeding sites, and
+country-wise levels of risk. I have data related to annual dengue incidence for 195 countries
+around the world.
+
+**Why is this project important for the research community?**
+
+Dengue researchers often spend their valuable time searching for datasets, web scraping and
+cleaning data. The publication of data in a centralized repository helps to prevent duplicate
+efforts. The dengue data hub enables the community to focus on analysis and modeling rather than 
+data collection and cleaning. Additionally, it enhances research sustainability by allowing 
+researchers to utilize data for their studies while preserving it for future researchers.
+
+**How do researchers use the Dengue Data Hub?**
+
+There are three straightforward ways for anyone to participate. Use the denguedatahub R software 
+package, use the Dengue Data Hub Shiny app (for non-programmers), or use our website which 
+provides tutorials and examples. 
+
+1. Use the denguedatahub R software package.
+
+![](denguedatahub-package.png)
+
+The denguedatahub R package allows researchers to download dengue-related data easily. For Sri 
+Lanka, it includes web scraping functions that directly retrieve weekly epidemiological reports 
+published by the Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka. This functionality also 
+cleans the data into a tidy format. Additionally, the package offers various data manipulation 
+functions tailored for dengue data visualization and modeling. You can find the package on GitHub 
+at [https://github.com/thiyangt/denguedatahub](https://github.com/thiyangt/denguedatahub).
+
+2. Dengue Data Hub Shiny app
+
+The Shiny app provides an interface for non-programmers to access dengue data. It is
+available at: [https://denguedatahub.shinyapps.io/denguedatahub/](https://denguedatahub.shinyapps.io/denguedatahub/)
+
+3. Website ([https://denguedatahub.netlify.app/](https://denguedatahub.netlify.app/))
+
+This website is the home for the projects. It provides tutorials and examples. The site was
+developed using Quarto.
+
+**What impact do you hope the Dengue Data Hub will have?**
+
+My hope is that the Dengue Data Hub will become a go-to resource for dengue researchers
+globally. I believe the hub will accelerate dengue research and discoveries which will help
+in developing effective strategies to combat dengue. The dengue data hub also serves as a
+
+teaching tool for data science and statistics, as it includes comprehensive data sets.
+
+**Do you have any final thoughts or messages you’d like to share with the research community?**
+
+I invite dengue researchers worldwide to collaborate on this project. I do not have access to clinical 
+trial data, so contributions in that area would be especially valuable. We are looking to expand the 
+datasets available, as comprehensive data sharing is essential for advancing our collective understanding 
+of dengue epidemiology. Additionally, we welcome contributions of data, analytical tools, and insights 
+that can help strengthen the hub's capacity to serve as a central resource for researchers globally. 
+
+You can learn more about how to collaborate [here.](https://denguedatahub.netlify.app/collaborate.html) 
+We can build a stronger network to enhance dengue research and response efforts worldwide.
+
+
+## About ISC Funded Projects
+
+A major goal of the R Consortium is to strengthen and improve the infrastructure supporting the R Ecosystem. 
+We seek to accomplish this by funding projects that will improve both technical infrastructure and social 
+infrastructure.
+
+[https://r-consortium.org/all-projects/callforproposals.html](https://r-consortium.org/all-projects/callforproposals.html)