Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design Core

The Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design Core (BERD) provides training and collaborative assistance to all investigators supported through the MCCTR's programs and services, and assistance in preliminary study design to prospective applicants for MCCTR support. Investigators receive both didactic and hands-on training, and assistance in research design, epidemiology, and biostatistics, including implementation of data collection tools and methods, data management and monitoring, and data analysis for manuscripts and grants. BERD Core Data Scientists work with the MCCTR Informatics Coordinator, UMMC's Enterprise Data Warehouse Data Governance Committee, and the Jackson Heart Study and ARIC study Data Coordinating Centers to provide access to and utilization of clinical and observational cohort data by MCCTR investigators.

The BERD Core assists investigators in the Investigator Development Program and the Pilot Projects Program by helping them design clinical, translational, and community-based follow-up studies and prepare grant applications based on the results of the research. These activities produce well-trained investigators with efficient and successful research projects, enhance resources for hospital- and community-based epidemiologic studies, and promote the success of MCCTR investigators in producing high-impact scientific results and obtaining sustained extramural funding.