Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics
The Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit (CEBU) provides
a range of training opportunities and research support to
researchers at the Royal Children's Hospital, covering study
design, statistics and data management. We are active
collaborators in many research projects led by colleagues
throughout the campus. CEBU is a unit of the Murdoch
Childrens Research Institute, working across all six of its themes,
and is also part of The University of Melbourne's Department of
Paediatrics.
Research Overview
CEBU has 3 overlapping levels of activity:
- We provide help and advice to researchers on many aspects of
research design, protocol development, data entry and data
management, statistical analysis and writing up of results.
This can take various forms ranging from one-off consultations to
on-going support and collaboration for the life-time of a
project.
- We have an active program of education, development and
training in research methods.
- We conduct research that aims to develop and strengthen the
biostatistical methods that underpin much public health and
clinical research, and also lead research projects on a range of
specific child health issues in collaboration with researchers and
clinicians at RCH and at other institutions both nationally and
internationally.
For more information on our advisory service, courses and seminars
and other activities, please go to www.rch.org.au/cebu.
Professor John Carlin
Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Royal Children's Hospital
Flemington Road
Parkville Victoria 3052
T +61 3 9345 6368
F +61 3 9345 6000
E cebu@mcri.edu.au
Project 1 - Analysis of data from the Longitudinal Study
of Australian Children
Our involvement in this study of Australian children currently
focuses on overweight and obesity in pre-school children. It is
also examining child's sleep problems on behaviour and parents'
mental health. Professor John Carlin, Pollyanna Hardy and others in
the CEBU team are collaborating with the MCRI Healthy Development
theme on this applied study.
Project 2 - Methods for handling missing data in large
epidemiological studies
This methodological investigation focuses on developing and
evaluating the method of multiple imputation as an approach for
handling missing data in large epidemiological studies. Funded by
NHMRC this work is led by Professor John Carlin along with Dr John
Galati and includes international collaborators in the U.K. and
U.S.A.
Project 3 - RCT of Broncho-Alveolar Lavage directed
therapy in young children with cystic fibrosis
This multi-centre, randomised, controlled trial examines the long
term outcomes of children diagnosed with cystic fibrosis through
newborn screening and randomised to bronchoscopy driven therapy or
conventional empiric based therapy. The project is funded by the
NHMRC and involves CEBU members Suzanna Vidmar and John Carlin in
collaboration with the University of Queensland.
Group members
Ms Sarah Arnup - Research Assistant
Doctor John Carlin - Group Leader
Mrs Donna De Sair - Administrative Officer
Assoc. Prof. Susan Donath - Research Fellow
Miss Margaret Flood - Research Assistant
Doctor John Galati - Biostatistician
Doctor Katherine Lee - Biostatistician
Doctor Fiona Mensah - Biostatistician
Ms Cattram Nguyen - PhD Scholar
Ms Francesca Orsini - Biostatistician
Doctor Helena Romaniuk - Biostatistician
Mr Luke Stevens - Data Management Coordinator
Ms Suzanna Vidmar - Senior Research Assistant
Honorary fellows
Ms Pollyanna Hardy - Honorary Research Fellow
Doctor Obioha Ukoumunne - Honorary Research Fellow