2012 Scientific Report - Queensland Children's Medical Research ...

Biostatistics and Epidemiology Unit
In 2012, QCMRI increased its capacity in Biostatistics and Epidemiology, with the addition of
another co-funded Biostatistician in collaboration with UQ’s School of Population Health.
The Biostatistics and Epidemiology team delivers QCMRI’s Education and Training Series,
comprising a suite of modules for Research Higher Degree students and Early Career
Researchers aimed at equipping them with core skills in study design, biostatistical software
packages, statistical analysis and other essential research techniques.
In 2012 members of the QCMRI Biostatistics and Epidemiology Unit were responsible for
delivering over 40 hours of continuing education to QCMRI members, collaborated on over
30 published papers, supervised 6 QCMRI RHD students, and were Chief Investigators on a
number of large QCMRI-administered grants. Unit members contributed to papers
published in prestigious journals such as the Journal of the American Medical
Association, Archives of Disease in Childhood, and the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Summary of Research Activities and Achievements
Pertussis research
Substantial work on understanding the current epidemic done by both Dr Sarah Sheridan and
Ms Marlena Kaczmarek. Dr Sheridan had a research letter published in the prestigious Journal of
the American Medical Association on her work around the relative effectiveness of whole cell
and acellular pertussis vaccines. This work attracted considerable local and international media
attention.
Ms Kaczmarek presented her early findings on the role laboratory testing has played in the
current outbreak to the National Immunisation Conference held in Darwin in July 2012.
Awards
‣ Dr Sarah Sheridan was awarded a NHMRC PhD Scholarship in 2012.
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