# Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design

> **NIH NIH U54** · WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $327,157

## Abstract

The Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Core has a strong track record of providing
assistance with statistics and research design to investigators in West Virginia. In the previous funding cycle,
BERD provided over 3000 unique services to over 1200 investigators, in the areas of biostatistics, epidemiology,
research design, custom data sets, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), REDCap assistance, and more. In
the next funding cycle, BERD will expand the depth and breadth of services available to researchers without
compromising the quality, accessibility, and timeliness of their expert assistance. A crucial area of expansion will
be the Small Area Estimation Unit (SAEU) (AIM 1). Given West Virginia’s small, rural population, it is imperative
to have a group providing statistical expertise to minimize bias in small sample size studies. Additionally, the
expertise in GIS will be expanded. A GIS server installed in collaboration with ESRI is the first server of its kind
to be utilized at an academic institution in North America. This server will allow for more complex and
technologically integrated spatial analyses. BERD will be enhancing not only the analytic capabilities of WVCTSI,
but also the technical capabilities. The BERD core will be utilizing the newly-acquired High-Performance
Computing (HPC) cluster and accompanying secure enclave, to provide a space to run resource-intensive big
data analyses. This HPC cluster will also support BERD’s expansion in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI),
Machine Learning (ML),and predictive modeling, developing the next generation of technological tools to impact
clinical research and enhancing personalized medicine (AIM 2). Finally, as BERD increases researcher access
to cutting-edge methods and technologies, a parallel goal is to increase the knowledge and capabilities of the
researchers at WVCTSI institutions (AIM 3). In order to utilize GIS, HPC, and AI/ML offerings to their fullest
potential, it is essential to have mechanisms in place for researchers to become familiar with these systems.
Therefore, BERD will develop workshops, training courses, and certification opportunities in these areas to
facilitate researcher independence and knowledge expansion. Ultimately, over the next funding cycle, the
resources of the BERD core will lead to increased research opportunity and productivity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10505666
- **Project number:** 2U54GM104942-07
- **Recipient organization:** WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sijin Wen
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $327,157
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2012-08-15 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10505666

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10505666, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (2U54GM104942-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10505666. Licensed CC0.

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