A major mission of the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science is to create a multi-disciplinary community of investigators and trainees that generates innovative solutions to methodological challenges within and across these domains and break down barriers due to differences in terminology. Through the BERD key function, College of Public Health faculty are engaged as partners to advance collaborative clinical translational research.
In order to enhance the speed and effectiveness of the research process, the ICTS' BERD Key Function provides multi-disciplinary expertise in choosing and implementing study designs and statistical analyses appropriate to investigators' individual projects. This resource is also aimed at developing innovative methods for the design and evaluation of clinical translational research studies, and for the dissemination of new methodologies to institute scientists, allowing these new techniques to become part of the researchers' scientific repertoires. The BERD Key Function's goals include:
The Biostatistics Core of the BERD Key Function partners with the Biostatistical Consulting Center (BCC) of the Department of Biostatistics in the College of Public Health. The Biostatistics Core provides biostatistical consulting to researchers across all disciplines at the University of Iowa and occasionally to investigators throughout the State of Iowa. The BCC has offered expert statistical consulting, data management, and statistical analysis services to University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students for over twenty years. An investigator may refer to this research resource at any stage of study development, receiving expert consultation in the areas of protocol design, protocol review, and data analysis. Through close coordination with other ICTS research resources, the BERD resource enables the researcher to create an integrated protocol and review process specific to his or her study, recognizing the value of early and frequent design consultation.
Learn more about services and resources provided by the Biostatistics Core.
The Epidemiology Core provides consultation and collaboration in research design, protocol development, implementation, and evaluation. The goal is to produce efficient designs with minimal bias. The Epidemiology Core aids investigators in their choice of:
The Epidemiology Core assists investigators in two broad research areas:
1. Translational Research - The Core can collaborate with investigators conducting translational research (e.g., correlative studies and screening and prognostic assessments with biological samples in clinical populations). Late phase translational research of dissemination and assessment of prevention and clinical findings are also activities of the core. Collaboration in translational research is often through faculty of the Department of Epidemiology. Staff and graduate students of the Department's Epidemiology Research Core also provide consultation and collaboration. Expertise is available to assist the design and conduct of registry based research.
2. Population-Based Research - The Core's Departmental centers will collaborate with investigators performing observational and experimental (clinical trials) studies in the general populations and specific communities.The Preventive Intervention Center provides expertise in protocol design, population-based recruitment, and clinical assessment. The Health Effectiveness Research Center specializes in longitudinal outcome assessment, including disability evaluation and cost effectiveness. The Health Effectiveness Research Center can also assist in claims based data evaluation and our staff have particular expertise in pharmacoepidemiology. The Nutrition Research and Education Center has expertise in dietary assessment, nutrition interventions, and compliance and retention of diet in communities and clinical trials. The Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases has expertise in infectious disease control including vaccines in communities and high risk populations.
Learn more about services and resources provided by the Epidemiology Core.
Jim Torner is the Associate Director of Research, Design Interpretation and Informatics and Betsy Chrischilles (Epidemiology) and Kathryn Chaloner (Biostatistics) are Key Function Co-Directors. Leon Burmeister, Ph.D., is responsible for biostatistical review and approval of all ICTS protocols.
