Biostatistics and Data Management Unit
The Biostatistics and Data Management Scientific Core Unit assists research teams with biostatistics, bioinformatics, data management, and scientific computing. The Core Unit works with investigators on study design, implementation, and data analysis to support research activities across basic science, animal, and human studies in nutrition, with an emphasis on rigor, reproducibility and transparency.
The Core Unit supports development of statistical analysis plans to ensure appropriate data analysis methods, proper handling of missing data and multiple testing issues, and appropriately powered studies. Special care is taken to address statistical issues that arise in nutrition studies, such as selection of appropriate control diets and minimization of measurement error. The Core Unit provides bioinformatics support for targeted and untargeted metabolomics, machine learning approaches (random forest and neural networks), genomic and metagenomics sequencing, and integrative omics analyses.
The Core Unit assists investigators with implementation, monitoring and adherence to data management plans (adhering to NIH and USDA requirements) including electronic data capture (REDCap and LabArchives) as well as clinical trials registration and summary results submission to ClinicalTrials.gov per the Final Rule issued by the U.S. DHHS and the NIH. Support is provided for the creation, maintenance, and archival of databases that meet all federal requirements.
We welcome partnering with HNRCA investigators on biostatistics and data management needs. See the HNRCA Biostatistics and Data Management Core Services table which lists the services available and indicates whether they are HNRCA-supported services (no cost recovery) or services provided through cost recovery.
Staff
Kathryn Barger, PhD
Biostatistics Associate Director
Gregory Matuszek, MS
Bioinformatics Specialist
Gail Rogers, MA
Senior Statistician
Marcus Lehr, MS, Senior Data Analyst
Jifan Wang, MS, MPH, Biostatistician II
Ecaterina Duscova, Data Analyst
Julia Makhson, Data Analyst
Information on Requesting Services
To request Statistical services, contact Biostatistics Associate Director Dr. Kathryn Barger to schedule a meeting to review the proposed project, needed support, and the study timeline.
To request Bioinformatics and Data Management services, contact Bioinformatics Specialist Gregory Matuszek to schedule a meeting to review the proposed project, needed support, and the study timeline.
If services are Cost Recovery Services (see Core Services Table above), the Core Unit will develop the corresponding budget and request the funding source (if project already awarded) or potential sponsor (if project is being submitted for funding consideration).
The Core Unit develops the budget based on the investigator’s planned study activities. All official budgets must be developed by the Biostatistics and Data Management Unit. The Unit will only honor official budgets. Once the budget and timeline are finalized between the investigator and the Core Unit, and the funding source is provided, the work can then be planned to begin in the Unit.
If the investigator expands the scope of the project, a new budget is required.