Biostatistics Core
The Biostatistics Core (BC) provides collaborative biostatistical support to investigators, physician-scientists, clinicians and learners across the entirety of Geisinger.
BC assists the study team throughout all stages of research from proposal drafting to analysis and interpretation. Specifically, BC members assist with the research question and hypothesis specification, study design and variable selection, sample size and power estimation, analysis plan, data collection design, randomization, data management and biostatistical analysis.
An important part of the BC mission is to provide biostatistical support for research studies initiated by fellows and residents. In addition, lectures on the statistical and research methodology are offered by the BC.
Contact us
Geisinger
100 North Academy Avenue
Danville, PA 17822
Phone 570-214-8688
Fax 570-214-5170
Areas of expertise
The BC members have expertise and years of experience in several advanced areas, such as:
- Comparative effectiveness
- Non-randomized observational studies
- Longitudinal data analysis
- Multilevel modeling
- Causal inference
- Missing data
- Intra/inter-rater agreement
- Clinical trials
- Study design
- Logistic and linear regression
- Time-to-event analyses
- Predictive modeling including machine learning
We assist with:
- General statistical and study design consultation
- Understanding of electronic health data and other data sources
- Form and database design
- Data management
- Protocol and grant preparation
- Sample size and power calculations
- Statistical analysis and interpretation of results
- Manuscript, abstract and poster/presentation review
- Statistical and research methodology lectures
We focus on collaboration and team-centered projects. To be effective, the best time to begin involving the biostatistician in the research study is in the process of study design. This allows for critical thinking and discussion between the researcher and consultant on the study protocol and on the endpoints to be measured in the study.
We recognize that starting the discussion process this early is not always feasible, and our biostatisticians work with researchers at various stages of their studies, including identifying confounding factors and potential biases. However, involving a biostatistician too late in the study may not allow for important input to study design, data capture and analyses that could be made to meet the intended study goals.
Meet the Biostatistics Core
Housed in the Henry Hood Center for Health Research building in Danville, Pa., the BC is centrally located and easily accessible to all Geisinger researchers via in-person or virtual meetings.
The BC currently consists of 10 members with a mix of MS- and PhD-level positions. Members collaborate with departments across the health system including Medicine, Surgery, Geisinger School of Medicine, Musculoskeletal, Pediatrics, Women’s Health, among others, as well as support full-time research faculty on grant related efforts.
Amanda J. Young, MS
Director, Biostatistics Core
biostatistics@geisinger.org