Graduate Program: MSCE (Clinical Epidemiology), Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (2018)
Current Title: Assistant Professor of Medicine, Clinical Director of the Penn Brain Tumor Center, and Section Chief of Neuro-Oncology
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Stephen Bagley, MD, MSCE, is a 2018 graduate of the MSCE program, administered by the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB) at the University of Pennsylvania. Before entering the MSCE program, Dr. Bagley earned a BA in Biology in 2007, followed by an MD in Medicine in 2011, both from the University of Pennsylvania. As an MSCE student, he was co-advised by Joel Gelfand, MD, MSCE, a Professor of Dermatology and Epidemiology in DBEI.
Today, Dr. Bagley is an Assistant Professor of Medicine, Clinical Director of the Penn Brain Tumor Center, and Section Chief of Neuro-Oncology at the Perelman School of Medicine.
We reached out to Dr. Bagley to learn more about his current work and to invite him to reflect on his time as an MSCE student in the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB) at Penn.
What is a typical day like in your current role as Director of Medical Affairs Biostatistics?
I spend two full days a week seeing brain tumor patients in my outpatient neuro-oncology clinic. During the other days of the week, I am busy analyzing clinical trial data, writing papers and grants, and teaching/mentoring trainees of all levels. I also travel frequently to scientific meetings and to give lectures.
What do you value most about your current role?
It is amazing to see how my interactions with my patients inform my research, and how the research that my colleagues and I are doing ultimately impacts the care of patients. It’s an incredible cycle that is highly rewarding.
What advice would you offer a current or aspiring student?
Make sure that you focus on research topics that are truly interesting and inspiring to you. This is what will keep you going during challenging times!
What is on the horizon for you in terms of your career goals or research path?
I am aggressively pursuing better approaches to CAR T-cell therapy for patients with glioblastoma. My long-term goal is to contribute to research that ultimately changes the standard of care treatment for these patients.
Please share anything else you think would be interesting or valuable for others to know.
I have two daughters, 8 and 3, who are my favorite people in the world!