Informatics Staff

Director

Dr. Khamis Abu-Hasaballah holds undergraduate degrees in Physics and Mechanical Engineering and a Doctorate in Biomedical Engineering. Prior to joining the Traveler’s Center on Aging (TCA) at the UConn Health Center (UCHC) as a Research Assistant in 1994, he conducted research in the field of neuroscience studying mechanisms of memory in the Hippocampal Formation of the rat. For Five years at the TCA he conducted research on such topics as mechanisms of balance, enhancing balance in the elderly, and cortical evoked potentials in response to balance perturbation. In addition, he served as a data manager where he maintained computer systems and instrumented exercise machines, created software programs for specialized data analysis, created and maintained databases, devised and implemented backup and archiving plans, and worked closely with investigators and biostatisticians to ensure a smooth data management and analysis. Dr. Abu-Hasaballah then joined the Department of Information Technology where, soon after, he headed the division of Research Computer Support (RCS). He supported basic science researchers with their computing needs and addressed novel requirements of these individuals. As an example, he created a caching proxy server that enabled UCHC researchers to access Electronic Journals, which were served to UCHC IP addresses only, from anywhere outside the UCHC network. He was also the author of an initial draft of a security policy for Unix/Linux servers which was later adopted and is currently in force.

Dr. Khamis Abu-Hasaballah joined the General Clinical Research Center at the University of CT Health Center (UCH-GCRC) in May, 2000 with a vision to build a state-of-the-art Informatics Core (IC). The IC now includes a sophisticated computer system, an integrated, web-based portal to manage all operations of the GCRC, and an interactive voice response (IVR) system for conducting survey research using the telephone. In addition, the IC has grown to include a system administrator and two programmers.

Dr. Khamis Abu-Hasaballah has participated in teaching a number of courses and workshops offered by the GCRC. For example, he has delivered lectures on Medical Informatics and related topics, and conducted hands-on training in the principles of database design and MS Access. In addition, he has presented his work on Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and web-based system for Adverse Events Reporting and Management at a number of national meetings.

System Coordinator

Harriet Potts

Harriet Potts holds a B.S. in biology from Dickinson College.  She worked in Information Technology for many years before coming to the GCRC in 2006.  She is familiar with several programming languages and systems.  She is primarily responsible for developing the Interactive Voice Response surveys for research studies, as well as supporting  Data Entry and other database applications. 

System Coordinator

James Hairston

He holds a B.A. in Math from CCSC.  He worked for several insurance companies in Information Technology for many years.  He joined the GCRC in June 2008.

Technical Analyst

Robert Piangozza

Mr. Piangozza also joined the GCRC in 2008.  He oversees the day-to-day operations of the Informatics Core, and is responsible for the configuration and administration of servers and workstations. Other responsibilities include troubleshooting and resolution of computer problems, providing end-user support to GCRC staff, and assisting the Informatics Director in maintaining and administering the Interactive Voice Response system.