The Deakin Biostatistics Unit in the Faculty of Health provides collaborative support to researchers and graduate research. We aim to improve the quality, efficiency and impact of Faculty of Health research by providing biostatistical advice, consultancy and collaboration at all stages of the research process.
We also consult and collaborate with researchers from other areas within Deakin and with external partners.
We provide biostatistical advice to Faculty of Health staff and research degree students via scheduled appointments. Our team has expertise in:
We help researchers to set up projects, collaborating on the formulation of aims and testable hypotheses, selection of endpoints (measurables), creation of experimental plans (including randomisations), design of sampling schemes, power and sample size calculations, and protocol writing.
We take responsibility for the statistical methods section of research proposals, including power and sample size calculations and, if required, a formal statistical analysis plan. We ensure that the study design has alignment of the objectives, endpoints and statistical methods.
We can help you prepare results for presentation to your research community, whether this is for a doctoral dissertation, a conference or a manuscript. We can assist with the write-up of statistical methods and results, review a draft manuscript, or respond to comments from reviewers of the manuscript.
We advise on, or take full responsibility for, statistical data analysis. As experts, we will research new or specialised statistical methods required for your specific project or research program. We also offer biostatistical appraisal of protocols and manuscripts authored by others.
Our workshops help faculty and graduate students deepen their understanding of fundamental principles and methods in biostatistics and research methodology. Participants will gain confidence in using statistical terminology, identifying key areas for future research and fostering meaningful research partnerships.
Our experienced team of biostatisticians bring a wealth of knowledge to the Deakin Biostatistics Unit.
Professor Liliana Orellana is the director of the Deakin Biostatistics Unit. Her public health research encompasses cancer prevention and surveillance, palliative care, HIV epidemiology and treatment, as well as nutrition and eating disorders in children and adolescents.
Associate Professor Paul Agius, Associate Professor, Biostatistics
Associate Professor Mohammadreza Mohebbi, Office of the Executive Dean Health
Dr Helena Romaniuk, Research Fellow, Biostatistics
Dr Tanita Botha, Senior Research Fellow, Biostatistics
Dr Parinaz Mehdipour, Research Fellow, Biostatistics
Denise Becker, Casual Research Fellow, Office of the Executive Dean Health
Charlotte Molesworth, Casual Research Fellow, School of Health and Social Development
Associate Professor Steve Bowe, Honorary Associate Professor, Office of the Executive Dean Health
As you develop your project plan, we are available for consultation on how our team can support you.
Our biostatisticians are skilled at checking the alignment of objectives with measurable endpoints and with nominated statistical methods during the development of a proposal and a protocol. Early consultation will help to ensure that the study design and execution the aims of your research project.
Biostatistical input into the study design is especially important when applying for competitive research funding, as it will strengthen the scientific quality of the proposal. Including a biostatistician in the research team demonstrates to the funding agency that the faculty can support the project.
The biostatistical inputs into the design, conduct and reporting of the project may require a non-trivial amount of time. Provision should then be made for securing funding to cover the cost of these inputs, subject to the funding agency's guidelines. Projects that require sustained biostatistical input may require the establishment of a temporary position or ring-fencing of a portion of a full-time equivalent biostatistician.
Our team can help identify an appropriate statistical method for each aim of the study. This discussion is best held before data is collected. For research with human subjects, it is essential during development of the protocol.
We can provide high-level advice on aspects of database design and edit checks. However, we currently do not assist with database design and construction, or data management (e.g. data entry, data validation and cleaning, data linkage or data extraction).
We primarily support researchers and programs in Deakin University's Faculty of Health.
Deakin researchers outside the Faculty of Health are encouraged to contact our unit director to discuss their support needs. Requests are evaluated case by case, considering resource availability, alignment with the Faculty of Health’s mission, and recovery of salary and associated costs.
We offer biostatistical support for projects initiated and sponsored by external clients, subject to resource availability and alignment with the Faculty of Health’s mission. Arrangements are handled through Deakin Research Commercial, but clients should contact the director of the unit to discuss their proposed project first.
