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Unit Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Mathematical Modelling

The unit is responsible for the planning, advice on and implementation of statistical and epidemiological methods and projects at the BfR, staff training in statistics and the development of quantitative risk models.

In co-operation with scientists from other BfR units, the unit develops projects, selects suitable descriptive and analytical statistical methods and plans the design of studies, including sampling sizes and methods. This guarantees a detailed and sound biostatistical basis of all projects. A further responsibility - often in co-operation with other units - is the review and critical evaluation of external studies, which are submitted for assessment to the BfR. These results may have a considerable impact on risk assessments for consumer protection.

The contribution of the unit is crucial for the areas of food safety and risk assessment, since especially quantitative risk assessment and modelling is important for the evaluation of risks and gives risk managers essential guidance in decision making.

Internal training in statistics, epidemiology and risk assessment ensures that BfR scientists hold a state-of-the-art knowledge in these fields, necessary to respond to the latest scientific questions.

Scientists of the unit also represent the BfR on national and international committees and expert panels.

Tasks and objectives

• Initiation of epidemiological, biostatistical and experimental studies and involvement in planning, data collection, analyses, report-writing and publication
• Quantitative risk assessments
• Biostatistical support for studies for the validation of experimental methods and diagnostic tests
• Biostatistical and epidemiological quality assurance of studies, reports, and publications
• Review and evaluation of external studies with regard to study design, choice of model and statistical analysis.
• Representation of BfR on national and international committees and expert panels
• Organisation of in-house training in epidemiology, biostatistics and mathematical modelling
• Development of standards for quantitative assessment methodologies at the BfR

Main areas of research

• Quantitative risk assessment of microbiological pathogens
• Development and application of methods in risk modelling

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