Biostatistics Training with Application to Neuroscience (BTAN)

Biomedical research at every level relies on probability and statistics. Without proper research design and analysis based on sound statistical theory, inferences and conclusions made from the results of the study would be biased and even invalid. In the United States , there is a severe shortage of biostatisticians because of a combination of growing demand for them by the biomedical research community and a relatively steady rate of graduating doctoral level biostatisticians over the last couple of decades. Doctoral level biostatisticians working in the neuroscience field are scarce. In order to maintain excellence in growing neuroscience research field, this shortage must be alleviated through interdisciplinary training of fellows and students interested in pursuing academic and research careers.

The Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Epidemiology (DBBE) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) was awarded an institutional training grant by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for an educational program dedicated to Biostatistics Training with Application to Neuroscience (BTAN). This program will train PhD degree candidates in biostatistics with a dissertation research topic focused on biostatistical methodology with application to neuroscience research. Two new trainee positions each year are anticipated during the grant period.

The BTAN Program for the trainee incorporates didactic instructions in both biostatistics and neuroscience, and research projects with a focus on the application of biostatistics to neuroscience. The primary mentors for the trainees are biostatistics faculty members in DBBE, and they will be actively assisted by faculty in the MUSC Neuroscience Institute. Compensation for the Program includes a stipend, tuition, insurance and fees, and travel allowances.

Students who are interested in the Program should contact the Program Director, Dr. Yuko Y. Palesch, at 843-876-1917 or paleschy@musc.edu