Core 02: Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Research Design Core

The overall goal of the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Core of the Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science Center (LA CaTS) is to ensure that all clinical and translational research conducted within the purview of LA CaTS meets the highest scientific standards for study design and analysis. During the previous two funding periods, the BERD has successfully leveraged existing faculty expertise from the primary collaborating institutions and implemented an integrated BERD support network that is now available to investigators at all participating LA CaTS institutions. The BERD now provides services and consultations to investigators across the state including our Roadmap and Meritorious Scholars, and to other investigators seeking to expand their research toward translational efforts. The LA CATS leadership, and their respective institutions, provided considerable resources enabling the BERD Core to expand our biostatistics capacity, add additional epidemiology expertise, and provide unique proficiency in biostatistical approaches. As the comprehensive BERD resource for LA CaTS investigators, this core is one of the most requested services within the LA CaTS Center. For the upcoming cycle, we will expand our support network by the following Aims: Specific Aim 1: Provide a readily available, user-friendly resource of biostatistics, epidemiology, and research design expertise for clinical and translational researchers. The BERD will leverage its expertise to provide new resources such as high dimensional and quantitative imaging data, to ensure all LA CaTS researchers have ready access to statistical assistance as required. Specific Aim 2: Participate in the education of future clinical and translational researchers by providing training in objective, good-practice, scientific investigation through study- design methodologies and quantitative statistical practices. The BERD Core will work closely with the Professional Development (PD) Core and the Community Engagement and Outreach (CEO) Core to educate researchers, citizen scientists, and community stakeholders on statistical concepts. Specific Aim 3: Expand the knowledge and use of statistical analyses to ensure LA CaTS Center-supported studies are adequately designed and use statistically rigorous techniques. Coordinating closely with the Pilot Projects Program (PPP) Core, the BERD will ensure that every project has sound statistical rigor, including adequate power for subgroup analyses, and to address issues regarding health challenges . Thus, the BERD Core strives to collaborate with clinical and translational researchers across the state to advance scientific discoveries through sound statistical techniques.