The Biostatistics Resource is a joint effort between Roswell Park Cancer Institute and theDepartment of Biostatistics at the University at Buffalo. The objective of the Biostatistics Resource is to bestrategically involved in the design, implementation, and analysis of scientific data generated by CCSGprogram members. This includes the articulation of study objectives, statement of hypotheses, thederivation of appropriate designs and models for the cost effective achievement of a study's objectives, theassurance that modern and appropriate statistical methods are used, monitoring interim and final analyses,and assisting in the writing of abstracts and manuscripts. The expertise provided by the staff ensures thatthe yield of useful information from the scientific studies conducted at Roswell Park Cancer Institute ismaximized while the costs are minimized. With Alan Hutson, PhD, Chair of Biostatistics at both theUniversity at Buffalo and Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Gregory Wilding, PhD, Assistant Chair, and severalnewly appointed PhD and MS level biostatisticians, the Resource has improved dramatically with respect toits technical expertise. This expertise spans biostatistics, molecular epidemiology, bioinformatics andstatistical genetics. Most Resource projects require the use of standard and commercially available tools.More recently, with the explosion of high throughput technologies, particular problems require an innovativesolution for which the Resource develops novel methodology and/or custom software. Within theBiostatistics Resource, the Biotechnical, Analytic and Visualization Resource (BAVR), headed by DanielGaile, PhD, has been developed to spearhead software development for complex statistical genetics andbioinformatics problems. The Resource's expanded and enhanced capabilities are made known to CCSGProgram leaders through referrals, by the Scientific Review Committee's requirement that protocols andgrant applications have input from a biostatistician, the mandate by funding agencies that proposals includestatistical designs with proper power analyses, formal seminars given by Resource staff, and presentationsat Program meetings. Strong synergies have also developed in terms of the relationship with the Statisticsand Data Coordinating center for the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG). In addition, the Resource hasbeen a fertile ground for training graduate students in biostatistics.The Resource is used by all six Programs. $251,993 in CCSG support is requested, representing22% of the total operating budget.
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