Division of Quantitative Sciences

Kim-Anh Do, Ph.D., Ad Interim Division Head

The Division of Quantitative Sciences provides an essential component of the scientific basis for research conducted at MD Anderson:

Developing designs for clinical trials, laboratory experiments and observational studies
Statistical analysis of data arising from these experiments
Developing new methods for the analysis of complex data
Analyzing complex data
Database development and management
Writing user-friendly computer programs for clinical trial conduct
Mathematical modeling of observational processes, outcome analyses of therapy, screening and prevention interventions and cost-effectiveness analyses

These activities often evolve from collaborations between division faculty and physicians and research scientists at MD Anderson and other institutions. The problems arising from these collaborations provide the motivation for much of the methodological research conducted in the division. Under the guidance of the founding division head, Donald A. Berry, Ph.D., the Division of Quantitative Sciences grew rapidly to become a leader in the development and use of innovative statistical methodology, robust statistical designs for clinical trials, bioinformatics, and computational biology.

Two departments comprise the division: the Department of Biostatistics and the Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Statistical analysts are a vital part of the division's team approach to collaboration and statistical research projects. A team of division faculty and analysts collaborate with research physicians and scientists in a number of ways, including research methodology design, protocol design and review, data analysis, development of statistical models and education.