Collaborative Unit (CU)

Group picture of the faculty of the Collaborative Unit outside in front of a magnolia tree

The Collaborative Unit is a university-wide resource providing expert consultation in biostatistics, bioinformatics, and epidemiology. Paul Nietert, Ph.D., directs the Collaborative Unit, which is housed in the Department of Public Health Sciences (DPHS). Dr. Viswanathan “Ramesh” Ramakrishnan is the Associate Director. The Unit is largely funded by the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Center.

The unit assists in preparing the biostatistical and epidemiological narrative associated with grant proposals and with presentations and publications following the research. The unit also provides a training experience for DPHS trainees interested in developing skills in applying the quantitative tools

Through the unit's research and training programs, focus efforts in broad activities including:

  • Grant development (e.g. study design, power analyses, data analysis plans)
  • Fostering long-term relationships between investigators in DPHS and other departments
  • Developing training opportunities for graduate students and fellows in DPHS
  • Advancing scholarship in applied methodological areas related to collaborative efforts

Collaborative Unit Contact Information

Paul J Nietert, Ph.D.

Ramesh Ramakrishnan, Ph.D.