Biostatistics and Information Management Office

A team with informatics and statistical expertise supporting foodborne, waterborne, and environmental disease outbreak investigations, research studies, and surveillance data analyses.

Here is how we support that work:

• Adapting existing analytical methodology and developing new techniques for statistical applications.  Statisticians work with epidemiologists and laboratory scientists on study design, sampling, bioassay, data analysis, data display, classical and modern methods for statistical modeling, communicating statistical information, and identifying scientific oversight.
• Advising researchers on selecting the best statistical or graphical tools and on developing analysis methods.
• Applying statistical algorithms on national surveillance laboratory and epidemiologic data to enhance outbreak detection and investigation.
• Developing information technology systems to support the division’s technology needs, including  for these advanced surveillance systems:
  • National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS)
  • Foodborne Outbreak Online Database (FOOD Tool)
  • National Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS)
  • NARMS Now Public Access tool (NARMS Now)
  • One Health Harmful Algal Bloom System (OHHABS)
• Coordinating the dissemination of information to public health officials and researchers and offering training in statistical methods and data management through weekly seminars.