News Release

IOA Establishes Statistical Support Unit: Professor Lloyd Edwards to Head

August 7, 2006

The Institute on Aging has established a Statistical Support Unit, headed by Professor Lloyd Edwards of the Department of Biostatistics. The unit will support statistical aspects of Institute on Aging research, including that of the Institute's Center for Aging and Diversity, and Dr. Edwards will work closely with IOA Associate Director for Research, Dr. Jennifer Craft Morgan. Establishment of the new unit is a critical aspect of expanded support for research and research development, including enhanced capacities for data management, research program management, and the Institute's recently established Research Stimulus Program.

Dr. Edwards will take major responsibility for all activities of the unit, which is expected to involve graduate students from his home department, Biostatistics. For more on Dr. Edwards, see his biographical sketch.

The Statistical Support Unit will:

. Provide statistical expertise and effort in grant proposal development for the IOA;
. Provide statistical expertise and effort in support of funded research at the IOA;
. Provide grants and protocol review;
. Collaborate with the IOA Associate Director for Research in the provision of research database management expertise and effort.

Levels of Assistance:

. Consultation - general and specific advice to IOA scientists (including Research Scientists, Associate Directors, postdoctoral and doctoral fellows, UNC faculty funded through the IOA Research Stimulus Program, and other scientists active in IOA-based research) on choosing the most appropriate techniques for implementing research design, database development and data analysis methods;
. Implementation-in-depth support for the design of basic research strategies, computerized database management, analysis of complex data, and support for innovative web-based solutions to storing and disseminating project information for the same set of potential IOA clients as noted under consultation.

Location of the Unit: The unit will be located in the Institute on Aging. Dr. Edwards's office will be in suite 100 at 720, Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.