Biostatistics Shared Resource

University Of California At Davis, Davis CA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

BIOSTATISTICS SHARED RESOURCE (BSR) PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Biostatistics Shared Resource (BSR) supports basic science, translational, clinical, and population research efforts of the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCDCCC). The BSR's biostatistics expertise spans the range necessary for this spectrum, including statistics for molecular biosciences, clinical trials, community interventions, animal studies, and large-scale databases like the California Cancer Registry and those derived from electronic health records. The BSR provides direct services and leverages additional resources at UCD to meet the growing statistical needs of the UCDCCC. The BSR supports the research mission of the UCDCCC by providing investigators with design support for conceptualizing and planning new studies and with analytic support for pilot and funded research, in close coordination. The BSR biostatisticians are innovators in biostatistical methods for cancer research and have contributed to new statistical methods for risk prediction modeling and biomarker discovery. They are leaders in the areas of longitudinal studies, cancer screening, risk assessment, design of cancer clinic trials, omics data, GWAS studies, causal inference, missing data, survival analysis, subgroup identification, and cost-effectiveness research. They adhere to best practices for reproducible research, including sharing of code and methods. Their support of the UCDCCC is highly efficient, leveraging institutional support to extend the funding directly provided by the CCSG to provide free support for study design, protocol development, pilot projects, and mentoring and training of new cancer researchers. Recharge fees offer researchers a competitively priced alternative to other potential statistical services both within and outside the university. CCSG funds are not used for significant research collaborations nor for independent, investigator-initiated research in statistical methodology. Oversight and management of the BSR is provided by the Director, Diana Miglioretti, PhD, an internationally known biostatistician with expertise in breast cancer screening and radiation-induced cancer and leader of several statistical/data coordinating centers for multisite projects. During this next funding cycle, the BSR will continue providing innovative and efficient services for the robust and reproducible design and analysis of cancer- related studies. The Specific Aims for the BSR are to: 1) Provide statistical expertise for the robust and efficient design of new studies and investigator-initiated protocols, including sample size and power calculations and analytic plans. 2) Provide statistical advice and analysis support for UCDCCC pilot and other studies, meeting reproducible research standards from preparation of data sets for analysis through statistical procedures to reporting and publication. 3) Foster development of statistical methodology needed to support the research goals of the UCDCCC. 4) Provide statistical consultation and representation to the Scientific Review Committee, the Data Safety Monitoring Committee, and the Internal Advisory Board of the UCDCCC. 5) Provide education and mentoring in the biostatistical knowledge and skills necessary for cancer researchers.