Statistics:

Division of Biomathematics/Biostatistics
Department of Pediatrics at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center

The biomathematics/biostatistics division provides statistical and mathematical modeling help in clinical and basic science research inside as well as outside Pediatrics.  The division aims to be involved with researchers from the outset, helping to design studies so as to have adequate statistical power to answer the posed questions and test the stated hypotheses, and analyzing the collected data with appropriate statistical procedures.

Within Pediatrics, the division collaborates actively with Neonatology and with Gastroenterology and Nutrition.  Outside the department, work is ongoing with Preventive Medicine and Nutrition in the Department of Medicine, with the Institute of Human Nutrition, with the Irving Center for Clinical Research, and with investigators outside Columbia University.

Dr. Rajasekhar Ramakrishnan, Director of the division, teaches in the graduate program in the Institute of Human Nutrition.  He is also one of two biostatisticians in the General Clinical Research Center.

Dr. Ralph Dell, Professor Emeritus, is presently at the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR), a component of the National Academy of Sciences.  ILAR deals with science policy/public policy issues surrounding the use of animals in research, education and testing.  An ILAR committee wrote the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, a booklet that is used by animal researchers worldwide.  The Guide has been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Chinese, Russian and French.

Steve Holleran does data management and processing, and is also the division administrator. He is an amateur pianist, and an avid chamber music player.