Resource Group Overview

The Statistics Resource Group (SRG) provides statistical assistance to researchers, trainees, faculty, and staff participating in HNRP-related research. Members of the group collaborate with investigators on study projects at all stages of the research process, including hypothesis-generation, grant-writing, sample size justifications, and development of data analysis plans. Statisticians not only analyze data with known methods but also develop, program, and implement novel statistical procedures. The Statistics Group continues involvement in a study throughout the publication and presentation of findings and is dedicated to collaborative partnerships with and education of involved investigators, trainees, and staff.

Organization

The SRG currently consists of 5 statisticians. The group director Dr. Ian Abramson is a statistician and has been appointed as Professor of Mathematics (currently vice-chair in that department) since 1981.  He has always had a strong interest in applications of statistics in biomedicine, and has been continuously involved in the HNRP, and its predecessor the HNRC, since its inception in 1989. Dr. Florin Vaida, the co-director, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics with extensive experience in the areas of HIV and NeuroAIDS. The other three members are Reena Deutsch, PhD, Tanya Wolfson, MA, and Anya Umlauf, MS.

Resources provided

The SRG provides extensive support in planning and executing research studies by offering consultations and assistance on research projects, ranging from just a quick response to a straightforward statistical question, to intensive, complicated statistical analyses and documentation of methods and results in manuscripts submitted for publication and conference presentations.  Types of services offered by the SRG include assistance with the following tasks:

• Design of experiments and observational studies
• Power analysis, sample size calculations
• Preparation of statistical analysis plans
• Writing-up grant proposals
• Execution of data analysis
• Development and implementation of innovative statistical methods
• Co-writing manuscripts
• Formatting tables and figures for manuscripts and abstracts
• Statistical programming
• Overseeing data quality for ongoing studies
• Submitting reports to data and safety monitoring boards (DSMBs)
• Basic and advanced statistical training

Trainees

The SRG offers basic and advanced study design, statistical, and software/programming training to HNRP-associated undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, fellows, researchers and staff. One-on-one consultations on various topics and methods are available by appointment or on a walk-in basis. The group also offers formal training and presentations on select topics during regularly scheduled meetings or as separately organized seminars. Assistance and training can be provided for using JMP, R, SPSS, and other statistical software. In addition, the Statistics Group may offer internships to undergraduate and graduate-level statistics students. Trainees are encouraged to contact a statistician in the early stages of their studies.

Cross-project Issues

The SRG holds regular meetings to discuss new and ongoing projects. These meetings are used to prioritize tasks and link specific statisticians to studies based on experience, area of interest, investigator preferences, workload, and deadlines.  Statisticians are often in attendance at meetings of various projects and workgroups to offer timely assistance with questions and new issues that may arise.

Contact the Statistics Resource Group

For general information on assistance and resources provided by the Statistics Resource Group or to request services or a consult, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..