Biometrics Core

The Biometrics Core is collaborating on a range of research projects involving the prevention, pathogenesis, or treatment of HIV/AIDS. Examples include:

  Mathematical Modeling of Viral Dynamics and/or Viral Set Point

• Examination of dynamics of viral RNA and DNA in the female genital tract after the start of therapy, and analysis of viral load trajectories in relation to survival outcomes using functional data analytic techniques
• Analysis of patterns of viral RNA and DNA in breast milk of HIV-1 infected mothers
• Exploration of the viral dynamics of HIV/Hepatitis C co-infection

  Investigating interactions between the human genital microbiome, syndromes, and pathogens

• Data management and statistical analysis in support of the STI Cooperative Research Center projects and other investigator-driven research cohorts, including examination of HIV, HSV shedding, BV, and urethritis. Methods include Principal coordinates analysis, hierarchical clustering, and other methods relevant to community-level compositional data

 Development of cluster and stepped-wedge study designs

• The core has collaborations with Dr Jim Hughes, the Implementation Science Core, and other investigators to develop innovative and cost-efficient studies implemented at the facility level

 Seattle Primary Infection Project (SeaPIP) and studies of acute/early infection

• Management of project database and statistical analysis for the Seattle Primary Infection Program. Recent  research has focused on timing in Fiebig stages (utilizing an E-M algorithm for chain of events data with interval censoring), assessing prevalence and correlates of post-ARV treatment control, and assessing  transmission of drug resistance within partner pairs

 Targeted Long-acting Combination Antiretroviral Therapy (TLC-ART)

• Analytical and database support to this multidisciplinary group developing products using nanoparticle technology, that could lead to increases in drug levels in lymph tissue and allow for less frequent administration and enhanced adherence. Areas of research include PK/PD/PB modeling, and conjoint analysis of target population preferences

  Studies of child health and development

• Recent collaborations have explored strategies for the treatment of HIV in young children to minimize the incidence of adverse IRIS, drug toxicity, and neurocognitive delays.

 Viral Sequences and Viral Reservoirs

• Search for potential HIV-1 compartmentalization within the female genital tract, and analysis of HIV-1 genotypes from the uterus, cervix, and blood to clarify dynamics and spread of HIV-1 within the body

 Identifying Predictors of Viral Genital/Rectal Shedding During Antiretroviral Treatment

• Statistical analysis of data from phylogenetic trees, with permutation-based methods, to explore mechanisms associated with discordant shedding (and likely higher risk of transmission) of HIV-1 from the genital tract and rectum

In addition to research collaborations, the Biometrics Core engages in educational and institutional activities to support multidisciplinary research within the CFAR. These include:

CFAR Award Programs
Each year, Core faculty provide statistical consultations to various CFAR award programs, including the CFAR Developmental Core New Investigator Awards (NIA) and HIV-Associated Malignancy Research Pilot Awards.