Identity, Mission & Vision
Addressing population health and biomedical challenges requires novel thinking about data.
Our bold vision for a healthier world unites biostatistics, epidemiology, and informatics.
Our Identity
We unlock the actionable knowledge embedded in complex biomedical and population health data by formulating substantive questions and by developing, applying, and teaching state of the art methods to answer these questions.
Our Mission
We create comprehensive insights to enable Penn Medicine and the global scientific community to enhance health and well-being for everyone.
Our Vision
A healthier world powered by population and biomedical data science knowledge.
Our History
Proudly part of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania—the nation’s first medical school—the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (DBEI) was established in 1994 as the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (DBE) to support Penn’s biostatisticians and epidemiologists. In 2017, it was renamed to reflect the inclusion of informatics, making it one of the few medical school departments bridging these three fields.
The DBEI has foundational roots in the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB), established in 1993, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit (CEU), established in 1978. In addition to partnering with the CCEB to improve population health outcomes and address health disparities, the DBEI also works closely with the Penn Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBI) to leverage the power of data to drive discoveries at Penn Medicine and beyond.
A Closer Look at Our Journey
Founding of the Clinical Epidemiology Unit
1978
The Clinical Epidemiology Unit (CEU) was established within the Division of General Internal Medicine to integrate epidemiologic methods into the teaching, clinical practice, and research at Penn’s School of Medicine. The CEU later evolved into the CCEB, DBE, and GGEB.
Establishment of the CCEB
1993
The Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB) was created to unite and support biostatisticians and epidemiologists across Penn Medicine and the University. Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH served as the CCEB’s founding director. Today, Alexis Ogdie, MD, MSCE (pictured) is the Director of the CCEB.
Establishment of the DBE
1994
The Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (DBE) was created to provide an academic home for biostatisticians and non-clinician epidemiologists, supporting research in both fields. Dr. Strom (left) led the Division of Epidemiology until Harold I. Feldman, MD, MSCE (center), succeeded him in 2001, and J. Richard Landis, PhD (right) assumed leadership of the Division of Biostatistics in 1997.
Formation of the GGEB
1995
The Graduate Group in Epidemiology and Biostatistics (GGEB) was created to support students pursuing clinician and non-clinician roles in these fields. At Penn, PhD programs use “graduate groups” to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. DBEI faculty and CCEB scholars often teach and mentor GGEB students.
Expanding the Department (DBEI)
2017
The department was renamed to reflect the inclusion of the Division of Informatics. Today, the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (DBEI), it is one of the few medical school departments bridging all three disciplines.
Dr. Schisterman Appointed to
Chair of the DBEI
2021
Enrique F. Schisterman, PhD, MA, became Chair of the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics at Penn Medicine on February 1, 2021. A national leader in epidemiological methods and reproductive epidemiology, he has expertise in both biostatistics and epidemiology. Dr. Schisterman (left) is pictured with Jonathan Epstein, MD (right), Interim Executive Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System and Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine.
Annual Report
Explore our latest Annual Report to learn more about the department’s collective gains in the 2023-2024 academic year, including important scientific advancements led by the DBEI research community, significant strategic and cultural changes, and key initiatives on the horizon.
