Dr. Karrison is the Director of the Biostatistics Consulting Laboratory (BCL) and is the biostatistician for the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at the University of Chicago. The BCL provides collaborative support to investigators within the Biological Sciences Division, including members of the Diabetes Research and Training Center, on study design, sample-size determination (power calculation), and statistical analysis. Members also participate in the preparation of manuscripts for publication and the development of new grant proposals. The BCL is currently staffed by three PhD-level (including Dr. Karrison) and four MS-level biostatisticians. As biostatistican for the General Clinical Research Center for the past 15 years, Dr. Karrison has provided similar collaborative statistical support for investigators conducting protocols utilizing GCRC resources, which have included many studies of diabetes and endocrinology related research. Dr. Karrison also serves as the Technical Director of the biostatistics core for the Cancer Research Center.

Dr. Karrison’s methodological interests include clinical trial design and analysis, and methods for the analysis of censored survival data. He has collaborated with investigators (Dr. Eve Van Cauter and associates) on GCRC studies evaluating the effects of sleep loss on endocrine function, which involved the extension of methodology for dealing with multiple endpoints to a paired study design. He is currently a member of the Data and Safety Monitoring Board for the VA Glycemic Control and Complications in Diabetes Mellitus Type II study, a multicenter, randomized clinical trial to determine whether tight glucose control is effective in preventing macrovascular complications in patients with type II diabetes.