Training in Environmental Health Biostatistics

University Of Rochester, Rochester NY

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Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Goal and aims: The overall goal of this program is to prepare trainees for a research career in biostatistics with application to environmental health or related fields by providing them with strong statistical skills, while deeply embedding them in environmental health science (EHS) research in a supportive and interactive environment. This goal is achieved by the following aims. Aim 1 (Formal training): Provide rigorous training in advanced statistics, with additional training in epidemiology and environmental health, through graduate-level course offerings. Aim 2 (T32-specific training) has two sub-aims. Aim 2a: Deeply involve all trainees in collaborative EHS research under co-mentorship of a Biostatistics and an EHS trainer, while providing additional training in reproducible research and improved communication skills; and Aim 2b: Augment EHS training with specialized T32 informal seminars and lab tours in a supportive environment that promotes trainee interactions. Administration and oversight: The program is administered by the Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology (DBCB), in collaboration with the Departments of Environmental Medicine and Public Health Sciences. There are 14 faculty trainers, six of whom are from DBCB. Program oversight is provided via monthly meetings of the T32 Executive Committee and annual meetings with the External Advisory Board and makes use of trainee evaluations. Training: The DBCB offers a PhD degree in Statistics, with an optional concentration in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Training for Aim 1 is provided by the rigorous and state-of-the-art Statistics PhD curriculum, augmented by coursework in epidemiology and environmental health / toxicology. T32-specific training for Aim 2a is achieved by embedding trainees in real-world EHS research, such as the Seychelles Child Development Study that examines neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal mercury exposure from fish consumption. Under co-mentorship of a DBCB and an EHS trainer, trainees receive structured training in reproducible research and communication, implement a data analysis plan, and produce well-documented files that explain the methods and give results. Additional T32-specific training under Aim 2b comes from specialized lab tours and bi-weekly T32 informal seminars that provide additional EHS background and opportunities for practice presentations and trainee interactions. Recruitment: The DBCB holds annual Open House events that have been highly successful in recruiting well-qualified PhD applicants. Predoctoral T32 trainees are recruited from among the current Statistics PhD students, typically after two years in the PhD program. Postdoctoral trainees are recruited via advertisements in relevant job boards and professional societies. Trainees present their work at local and national conferences. Mentorship by T32 trainers and overall experience with the program were very positively rated in recent evaluations by current and past trainees. Slots: The program supports one postdoctoral and three predoctoral trainees.