Consultations
The CCTS Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Research Design (BERD) unit comprises a multidisciplinary team of expert biostatisticians, epidemiologists, and methodologists. The CCTS pairs investigators spanning the CCTS Partner Network with BERD Team members to enable the use of sound methodology and reproducibility in clinical and translational studies. BERD consults are intended to offer guidance during critical design and initial implementation phases (e.g. up to 8 hours of effort). Projects that necessitate a larger commitment from a biostatistician may be asked to support their effort accordingly.
BERD Locations and Hours
- Walk-in Clinic Hours: Wednesday and Thursdays, 11:30AM – 1PM on the 1st Floor of the Shelby Building
- Outside of Walk-in Clinic Hours: 8AM – 5PM Monday – Friday.
Holiday Hours may affect Walk-in Clinic Schedule.
Only request a time outside of the walk-in clinic if you are unavailable during Clinic Hours. Consults beyond Clinic Hours take several days to schedule.
Completion of an Intake Form is required for every consultation.
Questions? contact us at CCTS@uab.edu
BERD Team
The CCTS Biostatistics, Epidemiology, & Research Design (BERD) unit draws from expertise throughout the CCTS Partner Network to provide robust methodological support. Our team also seeks to enhance reproducibility in clinical and translational sciences, provide education opportunities, and supports the development of new methodologies.

Bob Oster, PhD
BERD Director
Division of General Internal Medicine and Population Science
oster@uab.edu

Amanda Anderson, PhD
BERD Co-Director
Department of Epidemiology
ahanders@uab.edu

Ehsan Abdalla, DVM, MSc, MSc, PhD
Assistant Professor
College of Veterinary Medicine
334-727-8042
eabdalla@tuskegee.edu

Navneet Baidwan, PhD
Scientist II
Department of Family and Community Medicine
baidw002@uab.edu

Stacey Cofield, PhD
Professor
Department of Biostatistics
scofield@uab.edu

Oliver Hampton, PhD
Chief Data Officer
ohampton@southernresearch.org

Peng Li, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Nursing
205-996-0376
pli@uab.edu

Paul MacLennan, PhD
Professor
Department of Surgery
pmaclennan@uabmc.edu

Madhuri Mulekar, PhD
Professor
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
251-460-6264
mmulekar@southalabama.edu

Gerald McGwin, PhD
Professor and Vice Chairman
Department of Epidemiology
mcgwin@uab.edu

David T. Redden, PhD
Professor
Biomedical Affairs and Research
dredden@uab.edu

Jason Parton, PhD
Associate Professor
Culverhouse College of Business
jmparton@ua.edu

Joshua S. Richman, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Surgery
205-975-1932
jrichman@uab.edu

Ashutosh Tamhane, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
205-975-8606
tamhane@uab.edu


Helen Zhai, PhD
CCTS Biostatistician
gzhai@uab.edu