Biostatistics

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

BIOSTATISTICS SHARED RESOURCE PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Biostatistics Shared Resource (BSR) is an essential asset to Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) members' research, illustrated by the breadth of scientific program involvement and reflected in the number of investigators who use this SR. The primary focus of the BSR is to provide statistical support for proposal/clinical protocol development, pilot studies, or other funded peer-reviewed studies. In addition, using a mix of standard chargeback model and collaborative grant effort model, this shared resource provides data analysis services. The BSR brings together expertise and intellectual resources in biostatistics, high-dimensional data analysis, informatics, clinical trials and observational data, epidemiology, and statistical computing. BSR biostatisticians serve on the Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC), assisting with review of new studies and monitoring of ongoing studies. Specific aims of the BSR are to: 1) Provide biostatistical, high- dimensional, and research informatics support to Case CCC members for design, planning, conduct, analysis, and reporting of research studies, 2) Ensure that Case CCC studies are designed, conducted, and monitored properly by reviewing protocols and proposals, and contribute to quality control and data and safety monitoring of ongoing clinical studies, and 3) Develop state-of-the-art methods/approaches to leverage available data infrastructure towards high-yield advances in cancer research. The value-added services (formulation of research questions and experimental design, power and sample size calculations, data quality assessment and control, statistical analysis, results interpretation, as well as proposal/manuscript writing and support) provided by the BSR are demonstrated by the successful contribution of BSR personnel to the Center's research productivity. Initial collaborations supported by the Center often lead to successful new funding via collaborative research grants on which BSR personnel serve as co-investigators. Throughout the last funding cycle, the BSR provided services to 144 investigators, 69% of whom were Case CCC members, accounting for 88% of total usage, from all 6 of the Case CCC research programs. The Biostatistics SR contributed to over 120 grant submissions, 150 letters of support, 142 publications, 150 abstracts, 200 protocols and 905 research projects.