BSR is composed of a group of experienced faculty and dedicated staff whose mission is to provide outstanding statistical and analytic support of University of Illinois Cancer Center research projects across its three research programs (Cancer Biology, Translational Oncology, and Cancer Prevention & Control).
BSR provides University of Illinois Cancer Center members comprehensive biostatistical services and fosters collaborations in a way that maximizes research impact.
Email Nelson Chen at [email protected] to Request Services from BSR
In February 2020, the Biostatistics Shared Resource Core (BSR) of University of Illinois Cancer Center was established under the direction of Zhengjia (Nelson) Chen, PhD. BSR is composed of a group of faculty and dedicated staff.
Who We Are
The BSR plays a pivotal role in the success of research at the University of Illinois Cancer Center by providing state-of-the-art biostatistics services.
We work with all Cancer Center members and participate in research across our three research programs — Cancer Biology, Translational Oncology, and Cancer Prevention & Control. Working together as partners, the BSR collaborates and consults with investigators in design, conduct, and analysis of cancer-related clinical, preclinical, epidemiological, and community-based research. These collaborations lead to the development and application of innovative statistical methodology and summarization of results to address cancer research. They also allow us to facilitate the translation of research findings into clinical trials and to disseminate new knowledge that supports the planning of new collaborative research projects.
By providing biostatistics services within one shared resource, the BSR offers University of Illinois Cancer Center investigators a single point of collaboration during all stages of their research.
Education and Training
An important component of the BSR is supporting the University of Illinois Cancer Center’s education mission.
We provide journal clubs, training workshops, and statistical consultation and collaboration for trainees and early Cancer Center members.
For graduate students, oncology residents, fellows, and Cancer Center members, we provide a monthly seminar on state-of-the-art approaches for cancer research.
Biostatistics Support
The BSR’s services focus on statistical and collaboration on the design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of all research activities at University of Illinois Cancer Center.
Our services include:
- Provide consultation and collaboration regarding all types of study design (e.g., validity of design, feasibility of meeting objectives, sample size, projection of study duration).
- Design clinical trial with adaptive and sequential design
- Clinical trial and study protocol development
- Statistical monitoring and assessing the progress of studies
- Data analysis, assistance in manuscripts and presentations
- Develop novel biostatistics and bioinformatics methods
- Review proposals for clinical cancer-related studies within the context of the clinical trials review committee
To request support from BSR, please email Nelson Chen [email protected].
Data Management
The BSR statistical data management operations are responsible for the support of research databases including OnCore and eCRFs forms. We also incorporate REDCap in support for studies such as population-based observational studies and hospital chart review data. Statistical data managers routinely perform data extractions, ensure quality control, and create analysis datasets.
Scientific Review for Cancer Center
By evaluating the statistical feasibility of each proposed project — particularly on sample size, power, and study design — the BSR members are an integral part of Clinical Protocol and Data Management (CPDM), Protocol Review and Committee (PRC), the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC), and service based programs.
For Cancer Center Members
The BSRC is dedicated to University of Illinois Cancer Center members.
Priority for the BSRC services is given to the cancer investigators with peer-reviewed funding, extramural grant submissions, and pending manuscript or abstract submissions. Please fill in the request form to schedule a consultation.
We do not implement a charge-back system for cancer center members. Assistance with preliminary data analysis for grant applications, grant statistical support, investigator-initiated clinical trial design, protocol preparation, and project planning services are all provided at no cost to our members.
Providing a no-cost service for conceptualization of grant design and methods encourages members to consider applying for extramural grant funding and expedites the statistical planning of cancer-focused research.
BSR members on funded grants or contracts are covered by appropriate levels of percent effort on collaborative work. It is a common criteria to cover a faculty biostatistician at least 5% effort on a R01, and 3% at R21, R03, ACS, DOD, etc. It is also required to budget 3% effort for Biostatistician in a Sponsor or contract supported clinical trial with more than 20 patients, or 5% in one with more than 100 patients, respectively.
Publication Acknowledgement Policy
The National Cancer Institute requires that publications acknowledge the University of Illinois Cancer Center BSR and it is tracking compliance. If BSR provided data, designed the study, performed analyses, provided results used in your publication, and/or provided any systems or services that were used for the work that resulted in your publication, please include the following statement in the acknowledgment section of your publication(s):
“Research reported in this publication was supported in part by the University of Illinois Cancer Center Biostatistics Shared Resource Core (BSR).”
Meet Our Team
Meida Wang, PhD
