Biostatistics and Epidemiology Methodology Core

The JHU CFAR Biostatistics and Epidemiology Methodology (BEM) Core provides leadership and support of collaborative, educational, and research opportunities for the Johns Hopkins HIV/AIDS community to promote and support innovative HIV-related research.

What services do we offer?

The BEM Core provides state-of-the-art epidemiological and biostatistical services in support of innovative HIV/AIDS research. To accomplish this goal, we link investigators to BEM Core members with epidemiological and methodological expertise to help with:

Biostatistics:

  • Helping to develop study design and analysis plans for grant proposals
  • Developing and executing statistical analysis plans
  • Helping with sample size calculations
  • Working with statistical programmers and data management staff
  • Supporting data management through the JHBC Data Informatics Services Core

Epidemiology:

  • Constructing study protocols
  • Selecting appropriate study designs
  • Developing inclusion/exclusion criteria
  • Helping to develop study design and analysis plans for grant proposals

Modeling:

  • Consulting on the development of simulation models (e.g., agent-based, network, compartmental)

General:

  • Reviewing grants prior to submission
  • Writing research reports and manuscripts
  • Contributing to scientific presentations

Education

The BEM Core trains and mentors staff, students, fellows, and junior investigators (with particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa) by:

  • Teaching state-of-the-art population and quantitative methods used in HIV research
  • Stimulating inclusion of these state-of-the-art methods in new studies
  • Educating the community in recent methodological advances
  • Helping community members to understand and interpret new epidemiological and biostatistical research

Requesting Support

If you are interested in requesting BEM Core services, click  HERE to submit your request. Our first priority is to help investigators who are relatively new to HIV-related research. If you plan to submit a request for assistance with a grant application, we highly recommend that you submit your request at least one month before the application is due, with two months prior being our preference. This will allow you to receive the most comprehensive support from your assigned BEM Core member.

BEM Core services are offered free of charge to investigators who receive CFAR funding. If a project has received external funding, services will be charged to the project funding source. 

For more information about the services we offer, please contact our Core Manager, Eryka Wentz, at ewentz1@jhu.edu.