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The Division of Biostatistics engages in research, biostatistical consultation and training activities. Interested students may pursue intensive studies through courses offered by the division. In addition to the core research program of the division, its research activities include collaborative projects with various departments of the medical school. Biostatistical consultation represents an important activity of the division, providing expertise in both theoretical and applied areas. At the initiative of other departments, the division also offers additional short courses in biostatistics. The division participates actively in both predoctoral and postdoctoral training.
Research activities of the division span a wide range of topics dealing with a number of disorders of considerable public health importance and provide research opportunities at both theoretical and applied levels. Several research projects involve close interaction and collaboration with a number of research groups at the Medical Center. The present core research program of the division deals with genetic epidemiology, especially as it relates to cardiovascular disease. A number of theoretical and applied problems are addressed, including: nature-nurture resolution and identification of the genetic basis of risk factor domains such as lipids, obesity, blood pressure and hypertension, and insulin resistance and diabetes; exploration of temporal trends in the degree of genetic and environmental effects; and multivariate associations among multiple risk factors. Timely theoretical issues also are addressed, such as the sampling of families through patients and statistical properties of methods of data analysis. Most recent research also emphasizes gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.
Present collaborative research projects include: a coordinating center for a multicenter study to assess the genetic basis of response to exercise training (HERITAGE); a coordinating center for a multicenter NETWORK study on the genetics of hypertension (HyperGEN) and the Family Blood Pressure Program (FBPP); coordinating centers for a multicenter study to assess the genetic basis of response to intervention through incorporation of gene-environment interactions (Gensalt); a coordinating center for the Polycystic Kidney Disease Treatment Network (HALT-PKD) to evaluate hypertensive medications that may be effective in slowing progression of PKD in individuals suffering from the disease; a coordinating center for a trial in ocular hypertensives (OHTS); important collaborative studies of Alzheimer’s disease and cancer through support roles as the ADRC biostatistics core, and the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center biostatistics core studies on ischemic heart disease; several epidemiological research projects developing methods for increasing public awareness and utilization of measures that are known to decrease the likelihood of developing heart disease and for encouraging behaviors that will improve prognosis following a heart attack.
The division provides consultation through the Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) and the Biostatistics Consulting Service in a wide range of areas including the statistical design of experiments and clinical trials, protocol development, database management, analysis of data and interpretation of results. Some of the areas of special strength and expertise include cardiovascular biostatistics, computing and statistical packages. The division is well-equipped to provide assistance at the stage of preparing grant applications, including careful discussions of study design, sample size calculations, randomization schemes, computer resources and data analysis.
The Division of Biostatistics specializes in genetic epidemiology and promotes predoctoral, doctoral and postdoctoral training in this discipline. Genetic epidemiology is the scientific discipline that deals with an analysis of the familial distribution of traits, with a view to understanding any possible genetic basis. However, one cannot study genes except as they are expressed in people living in certain environments, and one cannot study environmental factors except as they affect people who have certain genotypes. Genetic epidemiology is a unique interdisciplinary field that seeks to understand both the genetic and environmental factors and how they interact to produce various diseases and traits in humans. These studies are carried out in relatively large samples of participants in relevant populations, thus, the population history and dynamics often come into play. Population dynamics alter the frequency and distribution of both genetic and environmental factors, and thus, their net effect on the phenotype of interest. Some population characteristics also can be exploited for the purposes of gene discovery and mapping because the history has affected the genomic structure in a way that specific genotypes associated with disease can be identified.
Human diseases have been the focal point of genetic epidemiologic studies and recent efforts are directed toward complex disorders such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancer, atopy and allergies, and neurological and psychiatric disorders, to name a few. It is commonly thought that an understanding of the genetic underpinnings of such disorders will revolutionize medicine in the 21st century, enabling better preventive measures, diagnosis, prognosis and novel treatments. Given progress in the Human Genome Project, in computing power, and in the creation of powerful statistical methods of analysis, we are poised to shepherd this revolution. It is an exciting time in science, and opportunities for careers in genetic epidemiology abound.
Training Program
Summer Institute Program to Increase Diversity (SIPID) in Genetic Epidemiology with a focus on Cardiovascular and other Heart, Lung, Blood and Sleep Disorders: An all-expense-paid summer institute is offered in the summer of 2009 with funding from the NHLBI. The goal is to mentor junior faculty in underrepresented minorities and/or faculty with disabilities into independent research careers in biomedical sciences. For further information, visit the web site at www.biostat.wustl.edu/sipid/index.html or contact the program administrator at sipid-ge@wubios.wustl.edu.
Graduate Studies
The Division of Biostatistics sponsors (with the Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry as cosponsors) graduate study leading to a Master of Science (MS) degree and to the Certificate in Genetic Epidemiology. The Division also co-sponsors with the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences a PhD program in Human and Statistical Genetics, which offers a multidisciplinary approach to preparing future scientists with analytical/statistical, computational and human genetic methods for the study of human disease. For further information on the PhD program, see dbbs.wustl.edu.
Genetic Epidemiology Masters of Science (GEMS) Program (M21)
The Genetic Epidemiology Masters of Science (GEMS) training program provides a multidisciplinary educational opportunity for people who want to work at the dynamic nexus of genetics and medicine. There are growing needs for scientists with this training both in academia and industry. With the wealth of data from the Human Genome Project and the availability of powerful new computational approaches, abundant opportunities are now available to explore and characterize the interplay between genes and the environment that affect the biological processes that underlie disease.
Master of Science Degree (Computational and Clinical Tracks)
The core faculty for this multidisciplinary MS program come from 15 departments/divisions in the School of Medicine. The GEMS degree program is sponsored by the Division of Biostatistics and cosponsored by the departments of Genetics and Psychiatry and includes world-renowned scientific leaders in their respective areas. D.C. Rao, PhD, director of the Division of Biostatistics and the GEMS program director, is one of the founding fathers of the field. The four-semester, summer-to-summer (13-14 months), 35-credit-hour GEMS program is designed to prepare students to work at the interface of genetics, biostatistics, epidemiology and computing. The program has two distinct tracks that encompass training for both graduate student and clinical investigators. See www.biostat.wustl.edu/gems/ for details.
Certificate in Genetic Epidemiology
We offer a Certificate in Genetic Epidemiology, which is earned after successful completion (with a minimum of a “B” average) of four core courses plus labs (11 credit hours) that are normally offered to master’s candidates in Genetic Epidemiology. To earn the Certificate, these courses may be taken over one or two summers:
M21-503 Statistical Computing with SAS
M21-505 Biostatistics for Research Workers (prerequisite M21-503)
M21-505A Biostatistics for Research Workers Computer Lab
M21-515 Fundamentals of Genetic Epidemiology
M21-515A Fundamentals of Genetic Epidemiology Computer Lab
M21-550 Introduction to Bioinformatics (prerequisite M21-505)
M21-550A introduction to Bioinformatics Computer Lab
Prospective Students
Since genetic epidemiology is a multidisciplinary field, we expect applicants to come from a variety of backgrounds, but primarily from the quantitative or biological sciences, and possibly at different points in their careers: undergraduates with quantitative sciences (e.g., mathematics through calculus plus one semester of statistics) and/or biological sciences (at least through Principles of Biology II: Genetics or equivalent) background; people with terminal degrees in other (related) disciplines who seek to gain expertise in genetic epidemiology; current employees of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies seeking additional training and formal credentials in the field. All prospective students must provide evidence of basic skills in computer programming through coursework, documented experience or by passing a proficiency exam. Promising candidates who do not meet all the prerequisites will work with the program director to take the appropriate courses or training to rectify weaknesses.
Location
The GEMS Program is located in the Division of Biostatistics, on the third floor of Shriners Building (706 S. Euclid Ave.), Rooms 3301-3312.
Further Information
See our web site, www.biostat.wustl.edu/gems, contact the program manager at (314) 362-1052 or pa@wubios.wustl.edu, or write to:
The GEMS Program
Division of Biostatistics
Campus Box 8067
660 S. Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110-1093
Telephone: (314) 362-1052
Fax: (314) 362-2693
Registration Instructions
Students will register with the program manager in Genetic Epidemiology. Before registering, current Washington University students must obtain appropriate consent from their division or department. Students outside the GEMS program enrolling in individual courses must have permission of the coursemaster.
Academic Calendar
The GEMS program begins approximately July 1 each year with preparatory workshops, followed by four intensive summer semester courses. For the fall and spring semesters, the GEMS program follows the calendar of the College of Arts & Sciences. See the current GEMS calendar at www.biostat.wustl.edu/gems/calendars/calendars.shtml.Courses
Faculty
Division of Biostatistics Web Site (Opens in new window)
Last Modification: 08/03/2009 | |