University Logo

Welcome to the COBE Website!

The Center for Occupational Biostatistics and Epidemiology (COBE) was formed in February 2008 by University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) as a research center dedicated to occupational biostatistics and epidemiology. The mission of the COBE, based on an approach that is collaborative and multidisciplinary, is to build on the GSPH's successful, long-standing history in developing and applying biostatistical methods to the study of workplace exposures and health outcomes.

Directed and founded by Gary M. Marsh, Ph.D., F.A.C.E., Professor of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Clinical and Translational Science at GSPH, research at the Center for Occupational Biostatistics and Epidemiology (COBE) focuses on occupational studies to explore the long-term health effects of employment in occupations such as jet engine manufacturing, pharmaceutical production and coal mining and to workplace exposures to agents including formaldehyde, tungsten carbide/cobalt, chloroprene, acrylonitrile and man-made mineral fibers. The COBE also investigates health outcomes in communities exposed to industrial pollutants or hazardous waste site materials.

The COBE resides within the Department of Biostatistics at the GSPH. The Deputy Director of the Center is Jeanine M. Buchanich, Ph.D. who is Research Associate Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at GSPH. Ada O. Youk, Ph.D. serves as Affiliate Biostatistics Faculty Member. The COBE is supported by a diverse and talented support staff including a masters level biostatistician (Mr. Adam Krutchen) an information/computer scientist (Mr. Charles Alcorn), a project manager (Ms. Terri Washington) and technical/clerical/administrative support staff including graduate student researchers and a professional interviewer.

More details about the background, goals, operational framework and the people associated with COBE can be found elsewhere on this site.