My PhD Title: Methods for handling incomplete baseline data in longitudinal electronic health records.
Supervisor: Professor Irene Petersen
Lay summary: Electronic health records (EHR), such as those routinely collected in general medical practice, are good sources for obtaining patients real-life data which is valuable for health research. Nevertheless, missing records are a very common issue in EHR. There are different statistical methods for handling missing data in EHR; however, there are very few investigations about how previous and posterior information can improve missing data handling at any predefined baseline (for example, a drug treatment initiation). Theory and empirical evidence suggest this is a promising area of exploration, especially for multiple imputation. The aim of my whole PhD research is to investigate methods for handling incomplete baseline data, contrasting standard approaches with those using pre and post baseline auxiliary data. For doing so, I will investigate missing data in EHR via: 1) exploration of their proportions, patterns and mechanisms before and after baseline in specific case studies, 2) comparison of standard approaches to deal with incomplete records against those using pre and post baseline auxiliary data in specific case studies, 3) evaluation of what can be gained from using pre and post baseline auxiliary data via simulation studies. PhD results will help researchers to deal with missing data in observational studies.
My Background I started my research experiences in the world of psychometrics. My first grant funded a research for developing a new digital version of the Raven's Test. During my time in PSYCOPERU, I developed two new original tests, one for dyslexia screening and another one for assessing moral judgment. Following my studies in statistics and research epidemiology, I expanded my areas of interest to chronic diseases. Topics such as cardiovascular diseases risk scores, diabetes measurements at high altitude and tobacco consumption led mi research interests at the Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases (CRONICAS). During this period, I received training in the U.S. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and University of Pennsylvania. Two new seed grants were linked to these research and training activities. Since I was part of the Department of Statistics and the Faculty of Public Health at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, I earned more experience in statistical analysis and research by providing consultancy to the private sector and the Peruvian Government. All these experiences were linked to advanced statistics, so I became more interested in the exploration and criticism of quantitative methods. This motivation is guiding my current research activities in the PhD programme at UCL.
Qualifications
2016 Diploma Indicators & Statistics for Education OEI - UNED (Spain)
2012 MSc Research Epidemiology Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peru)
2011 Diploma Management of Human Resources Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Peru)
2008 Diploma Statistics for Research Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peru)
2007 Bachelor Psychology Universidad San Pedro (Peru)
Awards
2016 Travel scholarship. Epidemiology Congress of the Americas 2016, International Epidemiological Association Miami USA June 2016.
2016 Training scholarship
Methodological Workshop of the Young Lives Cohort Study, Group for the Analysis of Development GRADE Lima Peru April 2016.
2015 Training scholarship
Emerging Leaders Program Cohort 2015, World Heart Federation Lima Peru March 2015.
2015 Doctoral abroad scholarship
Funded by CIENCIACTIVA, an initiative of the Peruvian National Council of Science, Technology and Technological Innovation (CONCYTEC) (grant contract number 231-2015-FONDECYT) for the PhD Programme in Health Informatics and Methodological Research at University College London.
2014 Top ten best posters
Poster presented in 63rd Annual Scientific Session and Expo, American College of Cardiology Washington DC USA March 2014.
2013 First place in merit order
Lecturer performance, General Evaluation of Lecturers School of Psychology Faculty of Health Sciences Universidad San Pedro Peru.
2013 First place in merit order
Student performance, Master in Research Epidemiology Program Class 2012 NAMRU-6 & Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Peru.
2012 Master scholarship (full)
Funded by the Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases (CRONICAS) and the National Institutes of Health USA, for the Master Programme in Research Epidemiology at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and NAMRU-6 Peru.
2011 First place in merit order
Student performance, Management of Human Resources Program Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú.
2008 First place in merit order
Student performance, Statistics for Research Program Department of Statistics Faculty of Sciences Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Peru.
2007 First place in merit order
Student performance, Psychology Undergraduate Program School of Psychology Faculty of Health Sciences Universidad San Pedro Peru.
2004 First place in merit order
Research Projects Competition in Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences Universidad San Pedro Peru.
2002-2006 Undergraduate scholarships (full and partial, given by semester)
Undergraduate Psychology Program, School of Psychology Faculty of Health Sciences Universidad San Pedro Peru.
Publications
1. Bazo-Alvarez JC, Bazo-Alvarez OA, Aguila J, Peralta F, Mormontoy W, Bennett IM. Psychometric properties of the third version of family adaptability and cohesion evaluation scales (FACES-III): a study of Peruvian adolescents. Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica. 2016 Jul-Sep;33(3):462-470. doi: 10.17843/rpmesp.2016.333.2299. PMID: 27831609
2. Bazo-Alvarez JC, Peralta-Alvarez F, Bernabé-Ortiz A, Alvarado GF, Miranda JJ. Tobacco consumption and positive mental health: an epidemiological study from a positive psychology perspective. BMC Psychol. 2016 May 4;4:22. doi: 10.1186/s40359-016-0130-7. PMID: 27142187
3. Quispe R, Benziger CP, Bazo-Alvarez JC, Howe LD, Checkley W, Gilman RH, Smeeth L, Bernabé- Ortiz A, Miranda JJ; CRONICAS Cohort Study Group. The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and CV Risk Factors: The CRONICAS Cohort Study of Peruvian Adults. Glob Heart. 2016 Mar;11(1):121-130.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.gheart.2015.12.005. PMID: 27102029
4. Quispe R, Bazo-Alvarez JC, Burroughs Peña MS, Poterico JA, Gilman RH, Checkley W, Bernabé-Ortiz A, Huffman MD, Miranda JJ; PERU MIGRANT Study.; CRONICAS Cohort Study Group. Distribution of Short-Term and Lifetime Predicted Risks of Cardiovascular Diseases in Peruvian Adults. J Am Heart Assoc. 2015 Aug 7;4(8):e002112. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.115.002112. PMID: 26254303
5. Bazo-Alvarez JC, Quispe R, Peralta F, Poterico JA, Valle GA, Burroughs M, Pillay T, Gilman RH, Checkley W, Malaga G, Smeeth L, Bernabé-Ortiz A, Miranda JJ; PERU MIGRANT Study; CRONICAS Cohort Study Group. Agreement Between Cardiovascular Disease Risk Scores in Resource-Limited Settings: Evidence from 5 Peruvian Sites. Crit Pathw Cardiol. 2015 Jun;14(2):74-80. doi: 10.1097/HPC.0000000000000045. PMID: 26102017
6. Bazo-Alvarez JC, Quispe R, Pillay T, Bernabé-Ortiz A, Smeeth L, Checkley W, Gliman R, Málaga G, Miranda JJ. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose relationships in sea-level and high-altitude settings. Diabet Med. 2017 Feb 14. doi: 10.1111/dme.13335. PMID: 28196274
7. Bazo-Alvarez JC, Bazo-Alvarez OA, Aguila J, Peralta F, Mormontoy W, Bennett IM. The Three Dimensional (3-D) Circumplex Model: about the non-curvilinear measurements of FACES-III. (Accepted for publication Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica 2017)
8. Huayanay-Espinoza, CA, Quispe, R, Poterico, JA, Carrillo-Larco, RM, Bazo-Alvarez, JC, & Miranda, J. J. (2017). Parity and Overweight/Obesity in Peruvian Women. Preventing chronic disease, 14: E 102. Doi: 10.5888/pcd14.160282
9. George PE, Bazo-Alvarez JC, Bayer AM. The Earning and Spending Habits of Male Sex Workers in Lima, Peru. SAGE Open. 2018 Jan;8(1):2158244017753046
10. Azañedo D, Saavedra-Garcia L, Bazo-Alvarez JC. Are Sugar-free Soft Drinks Less Harmful? An Analysis of the Nutritional Information in Two Peruvian Cities. Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública. 2018 Mar 20;35(1)
11. Jones E, Pillay TD, Liu F, Luo L, Bazo-Alvarez JC, Yuan C, Zhao S, Chen Q, Li Y, Liao Q, Yu H. Outcomes following severe hand foot and mouth disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology. 2018 Apr 20.
12. George PE, Bazo-Alvarez JC, Sheehan VA. A Retrospective Analysis of Sociodemographic and Hematologic Characteristics Associated With Achieving Optimal Hydroxyurea Therapy in Children With Sickle Cell Disease. Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology. 2018 Apr.
13. Siriwardhana DD, Walters K, Rait G, Bazo-Alvarez JC, Weerasinghe MC. Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Sinhala version of Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. PloS one. 2018 Jun 28;13(6):e0199820.
Appointments
2015-2016 Statistical & Research Consultant. Public Sector: Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations; Office of the General Comptroller of the Republic (both different offices of the Peruvian Government). Private Sector: América Móvil Perú, S.A.C. (Claro Peru), Banco de Credito del Peru, Banco Falabella.
2010-2016 Researcher, Lecturer and Statistical Consultant. Department of Statistics, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru (Courses: Descriptive Statistics, Inferential Statistics, Analysis of Categorical Data, Regression Models, Design and Validation of Psychometric Instruments). Faculty of Public Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru (Courses: Biostatistics I, II, III and IV).
2014-2015 Statistical Consultant. General Directorate of Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion (an office of the Peruvian Government), Peru.
2010-2016 Psychometrician and Researcher. PSYCOPERU Peruvian Institute for Psychological and Psychosocial Research, Peru.
2012-2013 Statistical Analyst. Direction of Formation of Competences, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Peru.
2009-2013 Lecturer. School of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Pedro, Peru (Courses: Research Methodology, Experimental Psychology, Research Designs for Psychology, Design and Validation of Psychometric Tests).
Contact details juan.alvarez.16@ucl.ac.uk