The emphasis on team science in clinical and translational research increases the importance of collaborative biostatisticians (CBs) in healthcare. Adequate training and development of CBs ensure appropriate conduct of robust and meaningful research and, therefore, should be considered as a high-priority focus for biostatistics groups. Comprehensive training enhances clinical and translational research by facilitating more productive and efficient collaborations. While many graduate programs in Biostatistics and Epidemiology include training in research collaboration, it is often limited in scope and duration. Therefore, additional training is often required once a CB is hired into a full-time position. This article presents a comprehensive CB training strategy that can be adapted to any collaborative biostatistics group. This strategy follows a roadmap of the biostatistics collaboration process, which is also presented. A TIE approach (Teach the necessary skills, monitor the Implementation of these skills, and Evaluate the proficiency of these skills) was developed to support the adoption of key principles. The training strategy also incorporates a “train the trainer” approach to enable CBs who have successfully completed training to train new staff or faculty.

It is well documented that buried layers in quantum dot (QD) superlattices influence the position of quantum dots in the subsequently grown layers through strain field interactions (e.g.1,2, 3,4). Using the Focused Ion Beam (FIB) tomographic technique we have reconstructed the 3D relationship of successive layers of coherent Ge QDs separated by epitaxial Si capping layers - a “QD superlattice”.

Techniques such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) can only look at a single surface layer of QDs or, in the case of Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), look at a two-dimensional projection of a three-dimensional volume so that 3D relationships need to be inferred. Since the strain interactions are complex, an enhanced fundamental understanding of these self-organization mechanisms can more directly be obtained from full 3D reconstructions of these structures.

By capping with Si at 300°C we were able to grow QD superlattices with QDs tens of nanometers in height. This places them within the resolution of the FIB tomographic technique to reconstruct. Using the FIB we performed in-situ serial sectioning of the QD superlattice and then reconstructed the QD superlattice. The reconstruction was then analyzed to investigate the ordering of the QDs.

Results from a reconstruction of a superlattice matrix will be presented with analysis of the self-ordering of the QDs. Observations of a novel self-limiting (in height) morphology, the quantum mesa, associated with the capping technique used will also be discussed.