About.

University of Pittsburgh Epidemiology Data Center (EDC) Web / Media Services

EDC Web / Media Services has the people, the ideas, and the know-how to get your project where you want it to go.

25+ years of Technology Expertise & creativity

Epidemiology Data Center (EDC) Web / Media Services prides ourselves on being a team that delivers cutting-edge web development services to the University of Pittsburgh community.

THE EDC – WHO WE ARE

The Epidemiology Data Center (EDC) was established in 1980 as a section of the Department of Epidemiology in the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) and is recognized as an official University Center at the University of Pittsburgh.

The EDC fosters collaborations with clinical researchers to design, conduct, and analyze multicenter randomized clinical trials and epidemiological studies.

The Epidemiology Data Center has participated in over 150 research studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and other agencies.

The center’s expertise encompasses a wide range of areas, including study design, data collection and management, statistical analysis, and scientific reporting.

1997 EDC Homepage
1998 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Homepage

Merging Onto the Information Superhighway

The Early Days: Static Websites and Basic HTML

Starting in the the mid 1990s, a small team within the Epidemiology Data Center embarked on its journey when the internet was still in its infancy. Armed with passion, innovation, and a profound understanding of the emerging technologies, we quickly gained recognition for our pioneering work in research web development.

In the early years, web design was synonymous with static websites built using HTML. The internet was a simpler place, with limited graphics and basic layouts. EDC Web / Media Services played a pivotal role in creating visually appealing yet straightforward websites for several University Of Pittsburgh departments, centers, and research studies venturing into the online realm.

The Internet is Gaining Speed

The Dot-Com Boom: Content Management Systems and Interactive Designs

The early 2000s saw the dot-com boom, leading to a surge in demand for dynamic content and interactive designs. EDC Web / Media Services adapted swiftly, incorporating technologies like Flash and JavaScript to create engaging user experiences. Websites became more colorful, interactive, and visually stimulating, marking a significant departure from the static pages of the past.

As the 2010s unfolded, content management systems (CMS) like WordPress gained prominence. EDC Web / Media Services embraced this type of platform, empowering clients to help manage their own website content effortlessly. Additionally, EDC Web / Media Services fine tuned it’s own web based Data Management System geared toward research studies.

2003 Epidemiology Data Center | 2005 Alzheimer's Disease Research Center | 2003 SWAN Study | 2007 Center for Aging and Population Health
Current Designs: Epidemiology Data Center | Alzheimer's Disease Research Center | SWAN Study | Center for Aging and Population Health

The World at your fingertips

The Mobile Revolution: Responsive Design and Mobile-Friendly Interfaces

With the rise of smartphones and tablets, the dynamics of web design shifted again. EDC Web / Media Services led the charge in adopting responsive design principles, ensuring that websites adapted seamlessly to various screen sizes. Mobile-friendly interfaces became a necessity, reflecting the team’s commitment to delivering optimal user experiences across all devices.

In recent years, web design has become more user-centric, focusing on enhancing accessibility, inclusivity, and user experience. EDC Web / Media Services, with its vast experience, has adopted advanced technologies such as progressive web data systems, cloud sharing, and immersive multimedia elements, elevating the overall user engagement and satisfaction.

Embracing Change and Innovation

Throughout this remarkable evolution, our web development team has stood as a witness and a driving force. We have embraced change and innovation, adapting our expertise to the ever-changing demands of the digital landscape.

From the early days of static websites to the current era of immersive digital experiences, EDC Web / Media Services has helped many departments, labs and researchers at the University of Pittsburgh establish their online presence.

Our 25+ years of experience have given our web development team a deep understanding of the ever-evolving world of web design. We have witnessed the trends, embraced the technologies, and adapted our approach to meet the ever-changing needs of our clients.

As we look towards the future, we remain committed to staying at the forefront of web design innovation, helping departments and researchers create websites that are not only visually captivating but also user-friendly, engaging, and effective in achieving their goals.

Web design has come a long way in the past 25 years, and EDC Web / Media Services has been there every step of the way. We are proud to have played a role in shaping the digital landscape, and we look forward to continuing to help educators and researchers create websites that are both beautiful and effective.