Epidemiology and Biostatistics Core (EBRC)

The Epidemiology and Biostatistics Research Core (EBRC) supports Baystate faculty, fellows and residents in clinical research and research education.

We have a team of epidemiologists, statisticians, and a data scientist who have broad expertise in research methods, data analysis, and scientific writing. They have a total of more than 50 years’ experience in clinical research, have published in a wide variety of clinical journals and handle more than 200 projects a year.

Research Support

We collaborate with clinical investigators by:

1. Assist with protocol development, including:
   1. Study design
   2. Sampling and data management
   3. Data analysis plans
   4. Power analysis and sample size computations
   5. Relevant written sections of grants, manuscripts, and presentations
2. Assisting in developing survey instruments
3. Creating databases and data entry schemes in RedCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)
4. Data queries of hospital databases
5. Conducting a wide variety of data analysis and interpretation of findings
6. Assisting with the writing and publishing of manuscripts

Research Skills Education

We help advance the research skills of faculty, fellows, and residents by:

1. Mentoring individuals in practical statistics, database design and management and study design as part of the research process.
2. Educating college students interested in the health field and research through Baystate’s Undergraduate Programs.
3. Conducting group seminars on study design and research methods.
4. Providing support for reviewing research articles and applying evidenced-based practice methods to article critiques.

EBRC Team

Vida Rastegar, MPH, Biostatistician
Donna Wilson, MS, Biostatistician
Pete St. Marie, Data Scientist