Biostatistics Shared Resource

The Biostatistics Shared Resource (BSR) provides statistical support to basic scientists, clinical investigators, behavioral scientists, and epidemiologists involved in cancer research. The purposes of the Biostatistics Shared Resource are to:

• Provide statistical support to cancer investigators for the design of studies, analysis of data, quality control, manuscript preparation, and development of grant proposals.
• Adapt, develop, and validate novel statistical methodologies to address emerging approaches in ongoing cancer research.
• Facilitate interactions within MUSC Hollings Cancer Center by participating in project development meetings with program leaders and other shared resource directors.
• Serve on Hollings Cancer Center protocol review and monitoring committees to provide critical input into proposed and ongoing internal and external clinical trials.
• Provide ongoing education in statistical methods and approaches for faculty, fellows, residents, and staff.

Staff

 

Elizabeth Hill, Ph.D.

Director

 

Kent Armeson, MS

Director, Data Management and Reporting

 

Jean-Sebastien Anoma, MA, MS

 

Evan Bagley, Ph.D.

 

Anna Ferreira, MS

 

Reid DeMass, MS

 

Emily Kistner-Griffin, Ph.D.

 

Chloe Mattila, BA, BS

 

Brian Neelon, Ph.D.

 

Souvik Seal, Ph.D.

Service Request Lead Times

To best serve the broad and diverse statistical needs of the Hollings research community, BSR personnel require adequate lead time to incorporate new service requests into the existing work queue. BSR recommended lead times are indicated below.

Grant development

At the initial meeting with the BSR member, the investigator should provide a reasonably developed draft of the Specific Aims and Approach sections to guide discussion.

• Large multi-project applications (P01, U54 or equivalent): Initial meeting with BSR member to occur a minimum of 3 months from internal submission deadline.
• R01 or equivalent: Initial meeting with BSR member to occur a minimum of 4 weeks from internal submission deadline.
• R03/R21 or equivalent: Initial meeting with BSR member to occur a minimum of 3 weeks from internal submission deadline.
• Small internal awards: Initial meeting with BSR member to occur a minimum of 2 weeks from internal submission deadline. Some internal awards may require additional lead time, especially if demand on the BSR is anticipated to be high. Please review the RFA to which you are applying for additional guidance.

Data analysis for abstract submission

Initial meeting with BSR member to occur a minimum of 6 weeks from submission deadline.

Data analysis for manuscript submission

The amount of time required to assist with manuscript submission is variable and depends largely on both the complexity of the data and the analyses required to address the research objectives. You are encouraged to contact the BSR as far in advance of the targeted submission date as possible to ensure timely completion of analyses, preparation of tables and figures, and drafting of text for submission.

For limited requests, a minimum of 6 weeks is required from the initial meeting with the BSR member to the target submission date. For more involved and statistically complex requests, additional lead time is required because the work can take several months to complete.

Investigator Initiated Trial (IIT)

The amount of time required to assist with IIT development is variable but typically requires several months working with the investigator on trial design, endpoint definitions, and protocol development.

Because of the inherent complexity in launching a clinical trial, all IIT requests are handled through the Hollings Advisory for Rapid Translation (HART). If you are interested in developing a clinical trial enrolling Hollings patients, please contact HART.

Contact a Biostatistician

To consult with a biostatistician regarding your research, please use our request form at the link below.

Publication Acknowledgement

If you publish a manuscript including research supported by the Biostatistics Shared Resource, the Hollings Cancer Center recommends the following text to be placed in the acknowledgement section: "Supported in part by the Biostatistics Shared Resource, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina (P30 CA138313)."