Alisa J. Stephens Shields, PhD

Dr. Stephens Shields is an Associate Professor of Biostatistics. Her research is focused on extensions and innovative applications of causal inference approaches to enhance the design and analysis of clinical trials. She also works in the development of patient-reported outcomes to inform population-appropriate trial endpoints.  Dr. Stephens Shields provides statistical leadership to clinical trials and observational studies in numerous clinical areas, including pediatrics, chronic pain, urology, and infectious disease.

Her current collaborations include Handoffs and Transitions in Critical Care – Understanding Scalability, a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial aiming to improve patient outcomes through implementing tailored protocols for transitioning patients from surgery to intensive care, and the American Heart Association-awarded Behavioral Economics to Transform Trial Enrollment Representativeness (BETTER) Center, which is evaluating methods to increase diverse participation in clinical trials. Dr Stephens Shields directs the Biostatistics and Data Science Core of the Penn Center for AIDS Research.

Dr. Stephens Shields currently serves as an associate editor for Biostatistics and the Annals of Internal Medicine and previously held editorial roles with Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety and Epidemiologic Methods.

Additional Appointments & Affiliations

• Fellow, American Statistical Association
• Director, Biostatistics and Data Science Core at the Penn Center for AIDS Research

Awards

• 2024 Myrto Lefkopoulou Distinguished Lectureship
• 2021 Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies Leadership Award
• 2018 Distinguished Faculty Award, University of Pennsylvania