Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Research Design (BERD)

The Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Research Design Core (BERD) was created to enhance clinical and translational research across the NJ ACTS community by providing professional, high quality study design, quantitative and qualitative (mixed methods) data analysis, survey research and data management services, development of innovative methodologies, as well as extensive group and individual training and instruction in biostatistics, epidemiology, and research design. These efforts, while supporting junior faculty and other investigators across the NJ ACTS and larger Rutgers and RWJ Barnabas Health community, were built with a particular focus on ensuring quality skills-based training opportunities for trainees.

BERD Mini-Methods Grant Program - Now Accepting Applications!

The Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Mini-Methods Grant program offers one-year awards of up to $25,000 to investigators developing methodology for innovative study designs, new statistical models, novel applications of an existing method to areas in which such a method has not been previously employed, etc., all with potential to benefit other clinical and translational science researchers.

BERD seeks proposals that:

(1) Develop innovative measurement and/or analytic methods that identify disparate patterns of disease or identify factors that might be key in leading to differential responses to therapy

(2) Solve health challenges encountered by existing translational research projects within NJACTS

(3) Demonstrate the potential for future independent funding.

BERD especially encourage proposals that: (1) relate to studies being undertaken by TL1/KL2 trainees with methodological challenges; and/or (2) include researchers from two or more of the participating institutions (Rutgers, Princeton, and NJIT).

Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis.

BERD Mini-Methods Grant Announcement 2021

NJ ACTS Mini-Methods Grant Application

Budget Page

Contact Us:

Jason Roy, PhD
RUBIES Director
732-235-9168
jason.roy@rutgers.edu

Patricia Greenberg, MS
RUBIES Manager
732-235-6093
patricia.greenberg@rutgers.edu

BERD Workshop Training Series

Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Workshops provide educational opportunities for clinical and translational researchers to develop basic skills and understanding in study design and data analysis.

Date & Time	Title	Presented by
4-25-24	An Introduction to Epidemiology: Key Measures and Study Designs View Flyer and Register Here	Michelle Bover Manderski, PhD, MPH Assistant Professor of Epidemiology Rutgers School of Public Health Rutgers Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies
3-7-24	Team Science: Overview and Case Studies from the NJ ACTS Team Science Core View on Canvas For access, contact Natale Mazzaferro at nm482@sph.rutgers.edu	Ralph A. Gigliotti, PhD Nancy E. Reichman, PhD Daniel B. Horton, MD, MSCE
2-8-24	Introduction to Biostatistics View on Canvas For access, contact Natale Mazzaferro at nm482@sph.rutgers.edu	Jaya M. Satagopan, PhD Professor of Biostatistics & Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs Rutgers School of Public Health
11-10-23	Detecting Gene-Environment Interactions for Complex Traits: Methodological and Conceptual Challenges (and Some Solutions) View on Canvas For access, contact Natale Mazzaferro at nm482@sph.rutgers.edu	Sam Trejo, PhD Assistant Professor of Sociology Princeton University
10-19-23	Use & Application of NHANES Data for Biomonitoring Studies View on Canvas For access, contact Natale Mazzaferro at nm482@sph.rutgers.edu	Katherine (Kate) Lubina, MS PhD candidate Concentrating in Epidemiology
5-12-23	An Introduction to AI Techniques for Forecasting Epidemic Dynamics View Slides View Lecture on Canvas	Lijing Wang, Assistant Professor, Data Science NJIT
4-13-23	Integrating Multi-omics Summary Data Using Mendelian Randomization View Slides	Chong Jin, PhD Assistant Professor, Mathematical Sciences NJIT
3-9-23	The Gap-Closing Estimand: A causal approach to study interventions that close disparities across social categories	Dr. Ian Lundberg Assistant Professor of Information Science Cornell University
1-12-23	Opioid Analgesic Reduction Study (OARS): Driving Quality Improvement in Clinical Trials	Dr. Janine Fredericks-Younger Associate Dean of Graduate Programs at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine Dr. Cecile Feldman Dean of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
12-8-22	Strategies for Engaging Communities in Research	Kristen Krause, PhD, MPH Instructor, Department of Urban-Global Public Health Deputy Director, Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies Rutgers School of Public Health
11-17-22	Applied Survival Analysis for Biomedical Researchers View on YouTube through CANVAS	Dirk Moore, PhD Associate professor of Biostatistics Rutgers University and at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Additional Workshop Resources are available in CANVAS including:

Setting the Stage: An Introduction to Biostatistics and Epidemiology for Researchers
Statistical Design Considerations for Randomized and Exploratory Clinical Trials
Best Practices in Data Management for Researchers
Introduction to R for Clinical and Translational Research

NJ ACTS Biostatistics and Epidemiology Workshop Series
To access BERD CANVAS content, contact Natale Mazzaferro at nm482@sph.rutgers.edu

BERD Special Guest Lecture Series

Date & Time	Title	Presented by
1-10-23	Model-robust and efficient covariate adjustment for cluster-randomized trials	Bingkai Wang, PhD University of Pennsylvania
12-19-22 11 pm	Online statistical inference in streaming data: renewability, dependence, and dynamics	Lan Luo, PhD University of Iowa
12-13-22 11 pm	Dimension Reduction in Observational Studies of Alzheimer’s Disease	Sarah Weinstein, MS University of Pennsylvania

Additional Workshop Resources are available in CANVAS including:

Setting the Stage: An Introduction to Biostatistics and Epidemiology for Researchers
Statistical Design Considerations for Randomized and Exploratory Clinical Trials
Best Practices in Data Management for Researchers
Introduction to R for Clinical and Translational Research

NJ ACTS Biostatistics and Epidemiology Workshop Series
To access BERD CANVAS content, contact Natale Mazzaferro at nm482@sph.rutgers.edu

BERD Mini-Methods Grants - Awarded 2019 and 2020

Investigator	Project Title	Year Awarded
Wei (Vivian) Li	Understanding Cell Type Specific Gene Regulatory Networks	2019
Yaqun Wang	New Statistical Models for Cancer and Precision Medicine Studies with PDX Trial	2019
Suril Gohel	Multimodal Neuroimaging Based Markers of AD Progression	2019
Mark McGovern	How Common are Missing Data in HIV RCTs and How is the Problem Handled? Gathering Preliminary Data to Assess the Consequences of Assuming Missing at Random.	2020

BERD Recommended Resources

REDCap @ Rutgers [FREE]
-RWJMS: https://redcap.rwjms.rutgers.edu/index.php
-NJMS: https://research.njms.rutgers.edu/redcap/index.php

Qualtrics @ Rutgers [FREE]
https://it.rutgers.edu/qualtrics/

PASS Sample Size & Power Analysis Software [License Fee]
https://www.ncss.com/software/pass/

R Statistical Software/R Studio interface [FREE]
-R Base Software: https://www.r-project.org/
-R Studio: https://www.rstudio.com/products/rstudio/

SAS Statistical Software [License Fee]
https://www.sas.com/en_us/software/stat.html

RUBIES Project Support

Rutgers University Biostatistics & Epidemiology Services (RUBIES) is a center within Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and the Rutgers School of Public Health that provides fee-for statistical support, including design, programming, data management, and data analysis, to investigators throughout Rutgers University. RUBIES team members complete requested services with the Faculty Director or other associated Faculty members where appropriate.

To request RUBIES services, click here.

Contact Us:

Jason Roy, PhD
RUBIES Director
732-235-9168
jason.roy@rutgers.edu

Patricia Greenberg, MS
RUBIES Manager
732-235-6093
patricia.greenberg@rutgers.edu

Leadership Team

Perry Halkitits, PhD, MS, MPH

Dean

Professor, Depts. of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and Urban-Global Public Health
Director, Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS)
Rutgers School of Public Health
Email: perry.halkitis@rutgers.edu

View Bio >>

Jason Roy, PhD

Chair and Professor

Dept. of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Rutgers School of Public Health
Director, Rutgers University Biostatistics and Epidemiology Services Center (RUBIES)
Email: jason.roy@rutgers.edu

View Bio >>