Biometry & Epidemiology Collaborative Unit (BECU)

Collaborative Unit

Overview

The Collaborative Unit is an MUSC University Research Resource Facility (URRF). As a URRF, the unit is committed to assisting MUSC investigators in meeting biostatistical, epidemiological, and bioinformatics needs related to research and grant development.

Mission Statement

To promote sound principles of biostatistical, epidemiological and bioinformatics design and analysis for biomedical/health sciences investigations, through commitment to education, excellence in scholarship and dedication to practice.

Vision

Through contributions to MUSC's academic and research community become a premier national center of excellence in biostatistical, epidemiological and bioinformatics collaboration. Through the unit's research and training programs, focus efforts in broad activities including:

1. Grant development;
2. New investigator training & development;
3. Fostering long-term relationships between investigators in DB²E and other departments;
4. Developing training opportunities for graduate students and fellows in DB²E; and
5. Advancing scholarship in applied methodological areas related to collaborative efforts.

Grant Application Assistance

As a URRF, the CU's primary mission is to collaborate with MUSC investigators in developing competitive grant applications. In doing so, the CU assists in deriving appropriate study designs; estimating sample size and power; determining appropriate data analyses; and preparing/reviewing relevant sections of the grant proposal.

For grants that would benefit from the involvement of a faculty biostatistician, epidemiologist, or bioinformatician, the CU can assist in introducing DBE faculty to the research team. This is particularly advantageous to new investigators and investigators new to the University.

Activities associated with grant development, including the analysis of preliminary data, are available free to MUSC researchers and available for a fee to researchers outside MUSC.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Through the diverse expertise of DBE faculty, the unit provides data analysis for a wide variety of medical, health, and biological research. DBE faculty provide interpretations of statistical results, which are presented and discussed with the investigators, for all statistical analyses.

Manuscript Preparation/Review

The presentation of results is an integral part of the consulting process. For all analyses carried out by the unit, we will assist in the preparation of statistical sections of manuscripts, if requested by the investigator. Consultants should be considered for co-authorship when they have made significant scientific or intellectual contributions to the work reported or when they share in the responsibility and accountability for the results.

Data Management

The Collaborative Unit encompasses the entire Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Epidemiology, and is administrated by the Director, Associate Director and an administrative assistant. There are project assistants within the unit with specific expertise in study design, statistical methodology and related areas.

Investigators may contact the Collaborative Unit as noted below. One of the aims of the initial contact is to identify the appropriate faculty expertise needed in the areas of biostatistics, bioinformatics and epidemiology.