Secondary Data Deep Dives
A webinar series for U-M mental health researchers.
Secondary Data Deep Dives: High-Impact Options for Mental Health Research
This three-part, innovative webinar series is designed for University of Michigan researchers eager to harness the power of secondary data to answer pressing questions in mental health.
Each session explores a single, high-impact dataset—unpacking what’s inside, how it’s collected, the mental health measures it contains, and how you can access it. Through expert-led walkthroughs and real-world project examples, you’ll gain practical insights on leveraging secondary data to elevate the rigor and relevance of your research. Whether you’re new to using secondary data or looking to sharpen your skills, you’ll find actionable strategies for making the most of these valuable resources.
This live webinar series is presented by our Data & Design Core and is open to all U-M faculty, staff, trainees, and learners.
Explore session descriptions below and register to receive the Zoom link for each session.
Session 1: Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
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The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study is the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States. This national, multi-site study tracks the biological and behavioral development of over 10,000 participants through adolescence into young adulthood. Join Terri Voepel-Lewis, Ph.D., R.N., professor of nursing, School of Nursing, to hear more about the study, how it can be used to answer pressing mental health research questions and an example research study using ABCD data to study the relationship between psychological symptoms and pain.
Session 2: Health and Retirement Study (HRS)
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
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University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is a landmark study on the health and well-being of older adults in the U.S. This nationally representative, longitudinal panel study surveys approximately 20,000 adults over age 50 annually on a range of topics. Join our Data & Design Core team for an overview of the dataset, how it can be leveraged for mental health research, and tips for data management and analysis. Grace Noppert, Ph.D., MPH, research assistant professor at the Survey Research Center within the Institute for Social Research, will share an example of her work using HRS to study immune aging.
Session 3: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
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The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey that collects information about the health of U.S. adults and children. It is the only national health survey that includes health exams, laboratory tests, and dietary interviews for participants of all ages. Join us to hear from Sung Kyun Park, ScD, MPH, professor of epidemiology, who will provide an overview of the NHANES dataset. Experts from our Data & Design Core team will share an example project demonstrating how this data can be used in high-impact applications relevant to mental health.