Biostatistics Laboratory      (list of members)     (print a brochure)

In addition to the primary research and scholarly pursuits of its members, the Department of Health Studies provides University researchers with biostatistical, epidemiological, and health services expertise in a collaborative setting through operation of the Biostatistics Laboratory. The Biostatistics Laboratory is staffed with several experienced master's and doctorate level collaborators.  Investigators may request collaboration for protocol development, preparation of grant and contract proposals, statistical recommendations on projects, randomization for clinical trials, data analysis and interpretation, and database development.

The Biostatistics Laboratory strongly encourages investigators to inquire about collaboration at the earliest feasible time, generally during the initial stage of development of a research project or grant proposal. Input is often more critical at the early phases of study design than during analysis and interpretation.

To ensure a clear understanding of the needs, expectations, and available resources, the Principal Investigator or Project Director should attend an initial meeting to discuss pertinent information with the collaborator. At this meeting, the full scope of the project will be discussed to determine the need for further collaboration. An estimated charge (either as an hourly rate or percentage of effort) would be prepared according to the needs throughout the various phases of the project and submitted for administrative and funding approval.

Location: The Biostatistics Laboratory is located in the Medical Center at the north end of the 3rd floor of the Mothers Aid Research Pavilion (MARP). The R-corridor 3rd floor can be accessed from Goldblatt 2nd floor by the staircase at the west end of the corridor near the entrance to the Dept. Ob/Gyn suite.

To schedule an appointment, please go to http://biotime.uchicago.edu, click on Request Research Support, and fill out the form.  This will generate an e-mail to the Biostatistics Laboratory Director, and you will be contacted by the statistician assigned to the project. 


Biostatistics Clinic

The Biostat Clinic has been established by the Department of Health Studies to provide free, short-term statistical consultation. This might include discussion about study design, sample size calculations, or basic data analysis. Staffed by members of the Biostatistics Laboratory, the Clinic will be held once a week with one-hour time slots available. To request an appointment, please go to http://biotime.uchicago.edu and select the “Request Clinic Appointment” option. Time slots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Consulting Fee Schedule First two hours of collaboration:     No charge. Grant preparation collaboration:     No charge when biostatistician has effort on the      project budget when submitted. Subsequent collaborative effort:     Billed as an hourly rate covering both personnel      and non-personnel costs…$85.00/hr Percentage of effort on grant or contract (may not be less than 5% annually):     Actual percentage of salary and fringe costs as a      personnel expense,         plus     $145.00 for every 1% effort as a Biostatistical      Support Fee (to cover project-related non-personnel      expenses). When calculating for future years, use 3% increases per year.

Grant & Budget Preparation Per Divisional policy, written pre-approval must be obtained from the DHS Chairman or Biostatistics Lab Director before including a department/lab member on a proposal or grant submission. When a biostatistician is named on a grant and a percentage of effort is listed in the personnel category, please budget as a line item a Biostatistical Support Fee, which is currently $145.00 per 1% of effort annually. This fee supports the resources the biostatistician will require for performing research work such as the cost of photocopying/faxing, paper for printing, office & computer supplies, software licenses, and telephone charges. For example, if a biostatistician was named in a grant at 10% effort, the current year's support fee would be calculated as follows: $145 x 10 = $1,450 annually Department Grant Administrators: To facilitate obtaining departmental concurrence and/or other grant proposal related items for a member of Health Studies, you may use this request form.