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What We Do

What We Do

The Division of Biostatistics develops and applies innovative designs and quantitative tools that extract knowledge from complex laboratory and clinical data. We promote sound statistical practice that fully leverages study results, fostering reproducibility and enabling accurate interpretation. This work plays a critical role within the Perelman School of Medicine and the broader biomedical research community.

Message from the Director

Message from the Director

Jeffrey S. Morris, PhD

Director, Division of Biostatistics
George S. Pepper Professor of Public Health and Preventative Medicine

In the data-rich world of biomedical research, biomedical data science plays a key role in knowledge discovery-to devise and validate new clinical strategies for managing and treating disease-and biostatistics is central to this enterprise.

As experts in inferential thinking, biostatisticians’ work enables the global scientific community to unlock new knowledge and population insights from sampled data. Our unique understanding of randomness and variability positions us to lead experimental design and build models that can account for design-induced systematic biases; handle structures inherent to complex data; adjust for multiplicities that could produce false discoveries; and rigorously assess causal inference for observational data.

Our research is inherently collaborative. We work across labs, divisions, and departments to promote sound experimental design, analytical procedures, and reproducible research to address complex biomedical challenges.

Additional Leadership & Staff Support

Mary E. Putt, PhD, ScD image

Mary E. Putt, PhD, ScD

Deputy Director, Biostatistics
Professor of Biostatistics

Clinical TrialsNovel MethodsTranslational Research
Russell T. Shinohara, PhD image

Russell T. Shinohara, PhD

Deputy Director, Biostatistics
Professor of Biostatistics

Imaging
Marissa Fox image

Marissa Fox

Associate Director, Biostatistics

Catherine Vallejo image

Catherine Vallejo

Executive Assistant to Dr. Jeffrey Morris (Biostatistics)

Alisa J. Stephens Shields, PhD

Alisa J. Stephens Shields, PhD

Associate Professor of Biostatistics

Causal InferenceClinical TrialsLarge-Scale Cohorts
Community Spotlight

Biostatistics Community Spotlight

October 2, 2024

Alisa Stephens Shields, PhD, Associate Professor of Biostatistics, is recognized for her collaboration and impactful leadership in the realms of health, statistical education, and inclusion in the field. Her research focuses on extensions and innovative applications of causal inference approaches to enhance the design and analysis of clinical trials, as well as the development of patient-reported outcomes to inform population-appropriate trial endpoints. In this Q&A, Dr. Stephens Shields touches on her experiences in the DBEI research community, advice for students and early-career biostatisticians, and her recent 2024 Myrto Lefkopoulou Distinguished Lectureship from Harvard University.

Read Q&A

Research Areas

Biostatistics research at Penn Medicine provides the statistical methods and analytical tools necessary to facilitate cutting-edge biomedical research and improve patient care. Collaborating with Epidemiology and Informatics, we discover and validate insights from complex data to develop precision strategies for disease prevention, risk reduction, therapy design, and population health guidelines.

Research Areas
Join Us

Join Us

Join a community of experts and mission-driven professionals committed to shaping the future of biomedical and population health data research through collaboration and scientific excellence. Explore available faculty and staff positions in the Division of Biostatistics and the department.