Last week, the PWIM Basic Science Peer Mentoring Group hosted Barry Moser, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, for a presentation on Opportunities for Biostatistics Assistance and Collaborations in the Department of Medicine.
Dr. Moser talked about the statistical support he provides to Department of Medicine faculty on their research projects.
"This support includes helping to design studies for grant preparation, writing analysis sections of grants, analyzing retrospective or observational data, manuscript writing, plus abstract and presentation preparation," Moser said.
Among the resources discussed during the session was the Research Management Team, a group trained in research procedures and operations that offers help to Duke researchers on a short- or long-term basis.
"The information about the Research Management Team and their ability to manage issues of data integrity was quite interesting and helpful," said Katherine Garman, MD, assistant professor of medicine (Gastroenterology). "The session clearly emphasized that storing data in Excel spreadsheets is not appropriate and several people at the meeting noted they had not been aware of the support available through the Research Management Team."
Moser explained the process for using the research services. The first step is completing a consulting request form and flagging Moser by entering his name on the last line of the form.
"It was helpful to hear Dr. Moser describe the appropriate time frame for requests - statistical support should be requested as early as possible in the planning stages of a grant (minimum two months and better if six months in advance). For presentations, services should be requested at least a month in advance," Garman said.
The PWIM Basic Science Peer Mentoring Group is one of six peer mentoring groups that meets monthly and provides information of interest to faculty in the Department in addition to mentoring opportunities.
"The peer mentoring program is a great way to meet others who are facing similar problems with regard to grants, research, mentoring or how to balance research with clinical work," said Matthew Sparks, MD, a medical instructor in Nephrology.
The Basic Science Peer Mentoring Group's next meeting is Thurs., Feb. 7 with Dr. John Whited, ACOS Research at the Durham VAMC, who will talk about VA Research Programs and Funding Opportunities.