Page 109 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS UNDER THIS PROGRAMME

Biostatistics
Research Unit

Unit director:
Dr. Tarylee Reddy
tarylee.reddy@mrc.ac.za

Advancing Research Priorities: TB co-infected patients. This PhD research project,
Strategic Objectives and Impact led by Dr Nobuhle Mchunu, has strengthened
the Unit's international collaborative network with
The Biostatistics Research Unit (BRU) has played a Erasmus University (The Netherlands) and was
pivotal role in collaborative studies through rigorous presented at the International Biometric Conference
data management, biostatistical leadership and in Atlanta in December 2024.
innovation. Specifically, the Unit has emerged as a The Unit earned international recognition for a
leader in the design and analysis of clinical trials, creative adaptation in clinical trial design, where a
which provide critical insights into the safety and parallel cluster randomised trial was adapted into a
efficacy of interventions, as well as complex national stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial. The PACK
surveys which provide a major source of information (Practical Approach to Care Kit) trial, published in
for measuring progress in the implementation of BMJ Global Health, provided robust evidence that
South Africa's national strategic plan. the intervention was effective in improving chronic
In addition to collaborative research, the Unit has respiratory care.
led innovative research with pioneering approaches In 2024, the BRU Data Management Division and ITSD
to study design and data analysis harnessing the embarked on the process to establish a 21 CFR Part
use of machine learning technology, joint modelling 11 compliant server at the SAMRC. This certificate,
techniques and small area estimation. In view of which was awarded in February 2025, ensures secure,
the rapid advancement in the fields of Biostatistics regulatory-compliant data management, improving
and Data Science, the Unit prioritises the capacity data integrity, auditability, and record-keeping in line
development of staff through intensive workshops, with FDA guidelines.
mentoring and doctoral supervision. BRU has made
significant strides in further enhancing the accuracy, The BRU SAFOODS Division launched the new DIASA
(Dietary Intake Assessment Application for South
security and accessibility of SAMRC research data Africa) mobile application in October 2024. DIASA
through the implementation of established data is designed to assist nutrition researchers to capture
quality assurance programmes and training sessions detailed dietary intake data by means of a multi-
lead by the Data Management Division. pass 24-hour recall methodology, thereby facilitating
seamless coding and export for statistical analysis.
Key Milestones and Achievements

The BRU Biostatistics Division has contributed novel Building Capacity Through
statistical methodology to the area of personalised Training, Mentorship, and Support
medicine, by incorporating censored longitudinal
outcomes in multivariate joint models, thereby BRU led several capacity development initiatives
facilitating dynamic prediction and the estimation of during the 2024/2025 year. To enhance the visibility
the optimal biomarker monitoring intervals for HIV/ of biostatistics and data science while fostering

SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25 107