Welcome

SIBS is a six-week residential summer training program in collaborative biostatistics for quantitatively-oriented undergraduate and beginning graduate students who are interested in the health sciences.  The eight SIBS programs nationally are funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Center for Research Resources for the purpose of attracting prospective students to the field of biostatistics.

The SIBS Pittsburgh program highlights the collaborative nature of biostatistics within the context of multidisciplinary research studies in cardiovascular health and minority populations.  Through concrete examples, we hope to demonstrate that biostatistics is an interesting and valuable component of biomedical research, and provide experiences that enable students to see themselves doing such work.

The aims of SIBS Pittsburgh are to:

• Introduce trainees to basic biostatistical methods in the context of compelling scientific questions and real data
• Teach trainees the analytic and computer skills necessary to address these questions themselves
• Actively involve trainees in collaborative research projects
• Educate trainees about the role of biostatistical thinking in collaborative research
• Introduce trainees to educational and employment opportunities in the field of biostatistics

SIBS Pittsburgh will be recruiting 20 trainees for the summer 2010 program.  Applications for trainee positions will be reviewed between December 1, 2009 and March 5, 2010 (or until the  positions are filled).  See the Application Process link for more information.

SIBS Pittsburgh offers:

• All expense paid participation in the program
• Travel to/from the University of Pittsburgh
• On-campus housing (air-conditioned double-room in Pennsylvania Hall)
• Food allowance: $22.50/day applied to student ID card that may be used on campus or at many restaurants/grocery stores near the university(http://www.pc.pitt.edu/card/merchantlist.html)
• Tuition for four college credits

• The benefits of a Pitt ID
• Access to university computing and library facilities
• Free use of university fitness facilities
• Free public transportation on local buses
• Reduced prices at museums, art galleries and restaurants (http://www.pittarts.pitt.edu/)
• Reduced prices for software (http://technology.pitt.edu/software/browse.html)

• Training with biostatisticians and clinicians from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (see Faculty).  These institutions have a long history of excellent medical and public health research and interdisciplinary collaborations.

• Opportunities to participate in this collaborative research process by analyzing data from major NHLBI-funded cardiovascular trials, community-based studies of risk-factor reduction and minority health, and studies of pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, dental caries, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (see Collaborative Studies).

• Introductory coursework in biostatistics, epidemiology, and statistical genetics.  Students will use relatively intuitive methods to address fairly complex biomedical questions.  Analytic, computation, and communication skills will be emphasized.

• Field trips, guest lectures, panel discussions, interactions with graduate students and researchers, and professional development activities.

Eligible candidates are:

• Undergraduates (including college seniors graduating in spring 2010) majoring in a variety of fields, including (but not limited to) mathematics, statistics, computer science, biology psychology, chemistry, environmental science, and physics

• U.S. citizens or permanent residents

For questions: please e-mail sibs@pitt.edu  or call Dr. John Wilson (412-624-3110)