Services/Support Request
Statistics provides a foundation for the design, conduct, and analysis of experiments and studies based on data subject to random variation. Consequently, biostatistical support is critical to many investigators at the Cancer Institute and biostatisticians play a fundamental role in both pre- and post-funding award stages of most cancer research studies. The Biostatistics Core is a shared institutional resource for biostatistical consulting and related methodological research. It is recognized as a critical component of the research infrastructure at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute and serves as a focal point from which Institute investigators may draw statistical expertise for planning, management, and analysis of their studies. Faculty and staff also develop, test and implement various techniques of statistical analysis, including mathematical modeling, applicable to cancer research. Types of research supported include clinical trials, translational research, epidemiology, behavioral, and basic science.
Faculty and staff at the Biostatistics Core:
- Coordinate and manage statistical activities in the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute to ensure that investigators have ready access to statistical consultation and support
- Provide statistical expertise in the design of experiments and studies, including research proposal development, sample size determination, randomization procedures, and plans for interim reviews and final analysis
- Assist with the writing of statistical components of manuscripts
- Review the integrity and statistical soundness of all studies involving human subjects
- Provide statistical analysis for projects using appropriate statistical and computing methodologies, assist in the interpretation and presentation of results
- Interact and collaborate with the Clinical Research Office in the development of protocols, and the monitoring and reporting of clinical data
- Maintain a computing facility with up-to-date software for statistical analysis to support program project investigators
- Conduct biostatistical methodology research on practical problems arising in cancer studies
Our priority for usage is:
The Biostatistics Core assigns highest priority to work in three areas: (1) investigator-initiated, therapeutic oncology clinical trials, especially those involving translational research; (2) cancer-related grant proposals seeking peer-reviewed funding from the NCI or equivalent funding agencies; and (3) funded peer-reviewed translational, therapeutic, or basic-science studies. To enhance the ability of the Cancer Institute to conduct clinical trials, we also give high priority to teaching medical fellows and residents intent on pursuing research careers in cancer. A second tier of priorities, which are addressed on a time-available basis, relates to work on non-funded cancer-related projects intended for publication in major peer-reviewed journals. A third tier of priorities, which are also addressed on a time-available basis, relates to work not directly cancer-related.
Regarding chargeback:
To promote collegial collaborations, especially with young investigators, the Biostatistics Core has not routinely billed for consultations. We have been successful in building collaborations that have led to peer-review funded grants. Members of the Biostatistics Core seek to establish enduring collaborations with Cancer Institute investigators to advance programmatic research at the Institute. Such collaborations develop statisticians' subject-matter knowledge of specific areas of cancer-related investigation and help ensure that statistical considerations are properly incorporated into studies from planning through implementation, to analysis and interpretation.
Support Request Form
To request consultation with our Biostatisticians please click on the Service Request Form . We will make every effort to respond within two working days.
Catalog of projects
Internal use only: To access the Biostatistics Project Catalog please click here
