Biostatistics is a necessary component in almost all medical and health research. Added value derives from the close collaboration between biostatisticians and investigators, as each contributes to the discovery and translational research process. Joint problem solving, shared design innovation and rigorous adherence to statistical principles advance science and discovery in ways that could not be achieved if they worked in isolation from one another. The Department of Biostatistics & Data Science provides the highest quality, appropriate and cutting-edge study design, sample size and power calculations, data analysis, data management, and clinical research informatics support to researchers as well as a valued aid in the dissemination of study results.

The Royal Statistical Society convened a working group in 2007 to examine statistical and scientific issues and published "Statistical Issues in First in Man Trials." This report discussed how the role of a statistician/biostatistician goes beyond the usual context of a consultant providing statistical design and analytic support. As stated in the report, a statistician's input concerns matters of ethics, science, public health, reporting standards, practicality and common sense, and is not just purely methodological. This notion is a central tenant to the Department of Biostatistics & Data Science. The Department of Biostatistics & Data Science has championed processes and services specifically designed to facilitate research and to efficiently deploy its faculty and resources to maximize their multifaceted contributions.

There are five aims of the Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, each designed to advance the clinical and translational research conducted through Frontiers Clinical & Translational Science Institute:

1. Enhance infrastructure and organizational management for efficient use of the biostatistical resources.
2. Mentor, educate and train investigators in biostatistics, research design (T1, clinical, and T2), data management/information systems, and clinical research informatics.
3. Collaborate with investigators to provide optimal study designs and data management/information systems, in collaboration with the Frontiers Biomedical Informatics program for basic/translational, clinical, observational, and population-based research.
4. Develop novel statistical methodology, software tools and applications for clinical and translational research.
5. Participate in ethical and scientific review of research proposals.

For further inquiries, please contact:

Jianghua (Wendy) He
Professor, Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center
Co-Director, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD)
jhe@kumc.edu
913-588-4703

Or

Megan Cosse
Project Director, Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center BERD Navigator
mcosse@kumc.edu