BUSPH Interdisciplinary Training Program for Biostatisticians

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT With the fast advances in technology in the last decade enabling the rapid accumulation of large quantities of data relevant to biomedical research, there is an urgent need to train the next generation of scientists with skills to correctly analyze and interpret these data while working closely in collaborative environments with other scientists. The Interdisciplinary Training Program for Biostatisticians provides critical training to build the next generation of leaders in biostatistics, who will guide the design of data collection, analysis of data, and interpretation and dissemination of the results. There is a need for biostatisticians who are not only strong methodologists, but also excellent communicators who are comfortable working in multidisciplinary settings. This training program provides strong training in interdisciplinary research, reproducibility methods, and the responsible conduct or research while supporting students in their professional and career development. Our training objectives are: A) to appoint four new and reappoint four current trainees with diverse backgrounds per year to a program that integrates rigorous theoretical statistical training with research experience in bioinformatics, genetics, observational studies and clinical trials, as well as additional training in biology and in reproducible, responsible and ethical conduct of research; B) to achieve a > 90% graduation rate within 5-6 years from the start of the PhD program among trainees; C) to maintain a program that produces biostatisticians trained in both standard biostatistical methods and emerging methodologies in biomedical research but also with applied research experience in an interdisciplinary working environment; D) to prepare biostatisticians who graduate from the program for competitive careers in academia, industry, and government via a curriculum that includes opportunities for a strong record of scientific publications, presentations at conferences, and experience in interdisciplinary collaborations, and teaching. The program seeks to recruit a diverse group of trainees and to provide a supportive environment where all trainees can thrive and succeed. This is done by creating a strong community, providing multiple mentors, and seeking regular feedback from trainees to identify opportunities to improve the program. Through mentored research rotations in multiple areas of biostatistical application, trainees receive hands-on experience in working in multidisciplinary teams performing research. They also receive formal training and mentorship in reproducible methods for conducting research and responsible conduct of research. This provides trainees with a breadth of exposure that is critical to prepare them to be leaders in biostatistics, a field that is highly collaborative and requires mastery of a wide range of areas of application and statistical methodologies. Trainees receive thorough career and professional development training. Regular feedback and evaluation of the program ensures that trainees are receiving excellent mentorship and that mentors receive feedback and opportunities to receive additional training. Trainees are encouraged to develop their own training plan and learn to become more autonomous throughout the program.