Each Biostatistics Facility Core member has dedicated office space in the Center for Health Professions at the USC Health Sciences Campus. An additional conference room is also available to Core members for consultations and seminars. Each Core member has a personal computer in their office, loaded with several statistical software packages. These computers are linked to our central computer, a Pentium Pro with four 200 MHz processors, running Windows NT. Two printers (laser and color) are attached to this computer. This central machine allows for efficient storage, processing, and analysis of data, and is accessible from remote locations (via modem) to any Center investigator.

All Center investigators have access to the services of the Core. The initial contact is made with Dr. Gauderman, who obtains information on the nature and scope of the project and on the time commitment required. Assignment is then made to one of the Core statisticians. In some cases, a statistician outside of the CORE is better suited to the project due to expertise in a relevant area. In this event, collaboration between the investigator and that statistician is suggested.

The Core member responsible for a project carries out all subsequent communications and consultation with the Center investigator. Members of the Core often develop working relationships with particular investigators and are contacted directly by the investigator when additional statistical input is needed. The primary services offered in the Biostatistics Facility Core are: (1) statistical consultation; (2) bioinformatics consultation; (3) educational support; and (4) software support.