# Core 02: Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Research Design Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · LSU PENNINGTON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CTR · 2022 · $374,700

## Abstract

Project Summary: Biostatistics, Epidemiology & 
Research Design (BERD) CORE 
The overall goal of the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Core of the Louisiana 
Clinical and Translational Science Center (LA CaTS) is to ensure that all clinical and translational research 
conducted within the purview of LA CaTS meets the highest scientific standards for study design and analysis. 
During the previous two funding periods, the BERD has successfully leveraged existing faculty expertise from 
the primary collaborating institutions and implemented an integrated BERD support network that is now available 
to investigators at all participating LA CaTS institutions. The BERD now provide services and consultation to 
investigators across the state including our Roadmap and Meritorious Scholars, and to other investigators 
seeking to expand their research toward translational efforts. The LA CATS leadership, and their respective 
institutions, provided considerable resources enabling the BERD Core to expand our biostatistics capacity, add 
additional epidemiology expertise, and provide unique proficiency in biostatistical approaches. As the 
comprehensive BERD resource for LA CaTS investigators, this core is one of the most requested services within 
the LA CaTS Center. For the upcoming cycle, we will expand our support network by the following Aims: Aim 1. 
Provide an easily accessible, user-friendly resource of biostatistics, epidemiology, and research design expertise 
for clinical and translational researchers, particularly those with projects focused on underserved and 
underrepresented populations throughout the state. The BERD will leverage its expertise to provide new 
resources such as high dimensional and quantitative imaging data, to ensure all LA CaTS researchers have 
ready access to statistical assistance as required. Aim 2. Participate in the education of future clinical and 
translational researchers by providing training in objective, good-practice, scientific investigation through study- 
design methodologies and quantitative statistical practices. The BERD Core will work closely with the 
Professional Development (PD) Core and the Community Engagement and Outreach (CEO) Core to educate 
researchers, citizen scientists, and community stakeholders on statistical concepts. Aim 3. Expand the 
knowledge and use of statistical analyses to ensure studies that address disparities and promote health equity 
are adequately designed and use statistically rigorous techniques. Coordinating closely with the Pilot 
Projects Program (PPP) Core, the BERD will ensure that every project has sound statistical rigor, including 
adequate power for subgroup analyses, and to address issues regarding health disparities. Thus, the BERD 
Core strives to collaborate with clinical and translational researchers across the state to advance scientific 
discoveries through sound statistical techniques.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10513333
- **Project number:** 2U54GM104940-07
- **Recipient organization:** LSU PENNINGTON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** William Johnson
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $374,700
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2012-08-15 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10513333

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10513333, Core 02: Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Research Design Core (2U54GM104940-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10513333. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*
