Department of Biostatistics

Valen E. Johnson, Ph.D., Ad Interim Chair

Mission Statement

The Department of Biostatistics provides biostatistical collaboration, consultation and quantitative research resources to clinical, laboratory and prevention scientists engaged in the planning, conduct, analysis, quality assurance and interpretation of research studies.

Goals

To assign a biostatistician to every clinical and prevention protocol at MD Anderson ab initio
This biostatistician will be responsible for the design, interim monitoring, final analysis and report of results for the protocol in collaboration with the principal investigator and co-investigators
To develop biostatistical methods to improve the efficiency of current and future therapeutic, diagnostic, prevention and intervention studies
To develop new methodologies in biostatistics, including methods for survival analysis, Bayesian monitoring strategies for clinical trials, improvements for screening studies and better dose-finding strategies
To play a direct role in the planning and review of clinical protocols, including therapeutic, translational and prevention studies
To provide educational programs in biostatistics for research scientists and clinicians
To develop and participate in inter-institutional graduate academic programs in biostatistics

News and Events

5th Annual Bayesian Biostatistics Conference - January 23 - 25, 2012

Harvard School of Public Health Awards Morris

The School of Public Health at Harvard University selected Professor Jeffrey S. Morris as the 2011 recipient of the Myrto Lefkopoulou Distinguished Lecturer Award. Morris was honored at a reception at Harvard following his lecture, Looking beyond the lampost: Bringing light into the dark alleys of complex data.

Eight Biostatistics Faculty Are ASA Fellows

Jeffrey S. Morris was inducted as a Fellow of the American Statistical Association in August 2011. He joined seven other faculty members in our department who have received this honor: Donald A. Berry (1986), Barry W. Brown (1987), Valen E. Johnson (1999), Stuart O. Zimmerman (1999), Kim-Anh Do (2006), Yu Shen (2007), and J. Jack Lee (2008).

Elting Honored with MASCC Distinguished Achievement Award

Linda Elting, Professor of Biostatistics and Health Services Research Section Chief, is the 2011 recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC). This award recognizes exemplary leadership and research that furthers the mission of the MASCC, which is the global promotion of optimal supportive care for all people who are experiencing cancer. Candidates for the award are nominated by their peers, and the award recipient is chosen by a committee of experts in this field. Professor Elting's work was honored at the 2011 International Symposium on Supportive Care in Athens, Greece.