The Study Design, Biostatistics and Data Management Core (SDBDMC)

 

The Study Design, Biostatistics, and Data Management Core, a core component of the RCMI Infrastructure for Clinical and Translational Research and an integral component of the Clinical Research Center (CRC), serves as a shared MSM resource in support of internal and external clinical research collaborations. Biostatistics, study design and, and secured data management are indispensable components of clinical and translational research. These core activities assure scientific merit and quality of research and are critically important to the overall productivity of any research enterprise.

Personnel: The personnel providing technical support for research project development and conduct include:

Director:  Robert M. Mayberry, MS, MPH, PhD. BERD Co-Director and Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine. In addition to his key BERD role, Dr. Mayberry is Director of the Study Design, Biostatistics, and Data Management Core (SDBDMC), the NCRR Research Centers and Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (R-CENTER). He also serves as Associate Director of the Clinical Research and Community Engagement at MSM. Dr. Mayberry is a nationally noted scientist, scholar, and opinion leader in minority health and health disparities research. Dr. Mayberry’s interests include application of epidemiologic principles and methods in health services research, program planning and evaluation, community-based intervention design and implementation, and the translation of research discoveries into community practice. Dr. Mayberry leads a team of experienced individuals with expertise in biostatistics, epidemiology and data management, all of whom are affiliated with BERD and located on site to respond to the needs of ACTSI researchers at MSM.

Associate Director: Dr. Pamela Daniels, MPH,  MBA,  PhD; Professor: Dr. Mohamed Mubasher M.A., PhD; Associate Professor: Dr. Alula Hadgu PhD; Assistant Professor: Dr. Fengxia Yan, MD, MS; Associate Professor: Assistant Professor: Dr. Robina Josiah-Willock, MPH, PhD

The specific aims of the Study Design, Biostatistics, and Data Management Core (SDBDMC):

    • To support the MSM investigators and student investigators in study conceptualization and design (including clinical trials), (traditional and advancing) statistical analyses, and epidemiologic principles and methods to plan and conduct basic science, clinical, community, and translational research aimed at generating evidence to reduce health disparities, improve health outcomes, support policy decisions to achieve health equity, and advance clinical and translational science.
    • To provide technical support and consultation in developing analytical and data collection and analytical tools and methods, database development, and ensuring research data quality.
    • To provide database administration support in database creation and secured management of research data.
    • To provide study design, statistical analyses, data management, and project management support as key collaborators to pilot project faculty investigators in all stages of research planning and conduct, including interpretation and application of study findings.
    • To provide mentored research training through workshops and seminars, one-on-one and studio consultations and collaborative support to junior investigators to stimulate biomedical, clinical, translational, community, and transdisciplinary policy-related health disparities research.
    • To support MSM junior and senior faculty investigators in developing meritorious research which enhances competitiveness for extramural funding and promotes their career development as independent researchers and research leaders in clinical and translational science.
    • Provide technical support and consultation in developing replicable and sustainable implementation and dissemination plans for MSM investigators.
    • To provide technical support and consultations in developing targeted dissemination plans (i.e. scientific community, community members and organizations, social and health service agencies and policy-makers).

Research Development Team (RDT): The RDT is an integral part of the  providing SDBDMC  assistance to faculty members in proposal development. The RDT is composed of CRC section heads and core research staff, academic and clinical researchers, physicians and other health care providers. The RDT is chaired by the CRC Associate Director and assisted by the SDBDMC Director.