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Biostatistics

Biostatistics is a vital component of almost every research project conducted at The Kids. It is the application of statistical methodology within the areas of medical, biological and social sciences.

Biostatistics is a vital component of almost every research project conducted at The Kids. It is the application of statistical methodology within the areas of medical, biological, and social sciences.

The familiar and visible aspect of biostatistics is the analysis of study data. This process typically involves identifying the appropriate analysis (often modelling) technique and applying it to study data to address specific research questions or test formal hypotheses.

With the ever increasing amount and complexity of collected health data, the role of biostatisticians in research, particularly from the design stage, has never been more important.

Researchers from, and collaborating with, The Kids Research Institute Australia have access to support from the Centre for Biostatistics, which comprises the Academic Biostatistics Team and members of the Biometrics team, who have experience in most health research areas, with expertise around:

  • epidemiological studies,
  • clinical research,
  • clinical trials,
  • laboratory studies, and
  • genetics studies.

In addition, all the biostatisticians in the Team carry out in-depth applied research, mainly in collaboration with other research groups, in several specific methodology areas, such as analysis of linked data, twin and family based studies, problems with missing and incomplete data in longitudinal studies, and infectious disease modelling.

The Team also looks to make resources available to improve the implementation and efficiency of biostatistical analysis across the institute.

Team members (6)

Peter Jacoby
Peter Jacoby

BA (Hons) MSc

Biostatistician

Dr Matt Cooper
Dr Matt Cooper

BCA Marketing, BSc Statistics and Applied Statistics, PhD

Manager, Biostatistics

Michelle de Klerk

Michelle de Klerk

Research Assistant

Elizabeth McKinnon

Elizabeth McKinnon

Biostatistician

Grant Smith

Grant Smith

Biostatistician

Paul Stevenson

Paul Stevenson

Biostatistician

Biostatistics projects

Featured projects

Heritable and environmental determinants of hospitalisation for common childhood illnesses

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of childhood death and health service use worldwide.

Heritable and environmental determinants of hospitalisation for common childhood illnesses

We will leverage the unique Western Australian data linkage resources to undertake the definitive twin and sibling study of infection-related hospitalisation

Reports and Findings

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Cohort profile: The WAACHS Linked Data Study

Despite the volume of accumulating knowledge from prospective Aboriginal cohort studies, longitudinal data describing developmental trajectories in health and well-being is limited.

Psychomotor Vigilance Testing on Neonatal Transport: A Western Australian Experience

This study aimed to assess whether undertaking retrieval was associated with fatigue independent of sleep and circadian disruption. It also aimed to assess the feasibility of routinely measuring the psychomotor vigilance test on neonatal transport. Fatigue is associated with impaired clinician performance and safety.

Leaving no patient behind! Expert recommendation in the use of innovative technologies for diagnosing rare diseases

Genetic diagnosis plays a crucial role in rare diseases, particularly with the increasing availability of emerging and accessible treatments. The International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) has set its primary goal as: "Ensuring that all patients who present with a suspected rare disease receive a diagnosis within one year if their disorder is documented in the medical literature". 

Vincristine Induced Adverse Effects in Lymphoma Bearing Dogs With Asymptomatic Neutropenia at the Time of Drug Administration

Vincristine sulphate, a microtubule inhibitor, is used extensively in veterinary oncology for treating lymphoma. Neutropenia during multiagent protocols is a common reason for treatment delay and reduced dose intensity. This study evaluated toxicities associated with treating systemically well neutropenic lymphoma patients with vincristine.

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