Graphs and medical symbols overlayed over a medical staff member writing, one hand touching a tablet. Credit: AdobeStock.

Biostatistics and Databases Program

Our Biostatistics and Databases Program undertakes research activities based on developing and applying modern statistical and mathematical techniques to investigate the incidence of infection, risk factors, trends and the effectiveness of interventions related to infectious diseases. We work closely with a broad range of stakeholders and effected populations in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

We have a collaborative biostatistical research role across many of the Kirby Institute’s programs and activities. We ensure the statistical design and analysis of clinical trials and epidemiological studies are to appropriate international standards. We also develop traditional paper-form and web-based databases for research studies and national surveillance activities.

The Biostatistics and Databases Program leads a number of large, observational cohort studies in HIV-positive adults and children in Australia and Asia. We also have an active mathematical modelling group, that models interventions aimed at preventing transmission of certain sexually transmissible infections including HPV, gonorrhoea and chlamydia.

We are also involved in linkage studies, including linkage of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and cohort studies to hospitalisation, cancer and death registries. These linkage studies help to develop our understanding of longer term outcomes and epidemiological patterns.