Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The COPSS-NISS leadership webinar featured Thomas Fleming, PhD (Professor and former Chair, Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington; Member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) and Bhramar Mukherjee, PhD (Senior Associate Dean of Public Health Data Science and Data Equity; Anna M.R Lauder Professor of Biostatistics; Professor of Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases) and of Statistics and Data Science at Yale School of Public Health) discussing their leadership journeys and how they have applied statistical expertise to tackle public health challenges. The session was moderated by Jennifer Bobb, PhD (Associate Investigator at Kaiser Permanente, Washington Health Research Institute, and Affiliate Associate Professor of Biostatistics at the University of Washington). Our two panelists during this session emphasized the importance of collaboration, community involvement, and the need for biostatisticians to have a prominent role in clinical trials and public health research. They also shared their thoughts on emerging trends in statistics and data science, the importance of mentorship and cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the balance between professional and personal goals.
COPSS-NISS Leadership Webinar on Public Health
Jennifer Bob, an associate investigator at Kaiser Permanente, Washington Health Research Institute, and an affiliate associate Professor of Biostatistics at the University of Washington, welcomed attendees to the COPSS-NISS Leadership webinar. Jennifer, a recipient of the 2024 COPSS Emerging Leader Award, introduced the webinar series co-organized by COPSS and the National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS). The session focused on how statisticians can leverage their expertise to influence public health research, policy, and practice. Two distinguished panelists, Dr. Brahmer Mukherjee and Dr. Thomas Fleming, were introduced. Dr. Mukherjee is the Senior Associate Dean of Public Health Data, Science and Data Equity at Yale School of Public Health, while Dr. Fleming is a professor and former chair of the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Washington. The panelists were set to share their insights on their leadership journeys and how they have applied statistical expertise to tackle public health challenges.
Thomas' Academic Journey and Career
Thomas discussed his academic journey and career goals. He initially aimed to make a difference in disease treatment and prevention through evidence-based medicine. After receiving sage advice to pursue advanced training in quantitative skills, he pursued his PhD in a more theoretical program. Despite his theoretical background, he wanted to be involved in applied areas, so he spent seven years at Mayo Clinic, enhancing his learning on the art side. He then joined the University of Washington, where he has been for 40 years, engaging in teaching and research, and collaborating with other entities like the National Institute of Health.
Biostatisticians' Role in Clinical Trials
Thomas discussed his experiences working with various organizations, including NIH, FDA, and industry sponsors, particularly in the context of public health emergencies and clinical trials. He emphasized the importance of objective research objectives, the need for effective communication skills, and the necessity of biostatisticians having a prominent role in clinical trials. Thomas also highlighted the importance of data monitoring committees in safeguarding the interests of trial participants and protecting the integrity of the trial. He concluded by expressing his belief in the need for a greater understanding and collaboration between clinicians, ethicists, and biostatisticians.
Bhramar Mukherjee's Journey and Leadership
Bhramar Mukherjee shares her journey as an immigrant scholar and leader in biostatistics and public health. She discusses the challenges she faced early in her career and how she found her purpose in public health. Bhramar highlights various leadership roles she has held, including chairing the University of Michigan's Biostatistics Department and leading summer programs for undergraduates. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and supporting the success of others. Bhramar concludes by discussing her recent move to Yale and her commitment to advocating for data equity and inclusion in scientific studies.
Factors Influencing Project Decision-Making
Jennifer initiated a discussion on the factors that influence the decision-making process for taking on projects and opportunities in service, teaching, and research. Thomas and Bhramar shared their perspectives, with Thomas emphasizing the importance of diverse collaborations and research that addresses significant healthcare questions. He also highlighted his experience in HIV/AIDS prevention research. Bhramar stressed the importance of working with people whose work is their calling and the need to take risks during the tenure period. She also shared her experience of starting the summer program after becoming a full professor. Both speakers agreed on the importance of community involvement in research.
Conducting Relevant Clinical Trials for HIV
Thomas discussed the importance of conducting clinical trials that are relevant to the settings where the participants are distributed. He provided examples of successful trials in preventing HIV transmission, such as the HPTN 076 study in 1993, which reduced transmission by two-thirds, and the HPTN 052 study in 2005, which found a 95% reduction in the risk of transmission to a partner when an infected person was treated. These results have significantly impacted the global approach to treating HIV, particularly in lower middle-income countries.
Scientific Breakthroughs and Community Collaboration
In the meeting, Thomas discussed a significant breakthrough in 2011 that was deemed the most important scientific breakthrough of the year by Science Magazine. He emphasized the importance of trust and collaboration with communities in lower-middle-income countries for conducting research that truly benefits them. Jennifer and Bhramar expressed their admiration for Thomas's work, highlighting its impact and resilience. Bhramar shared her own journey, starting as a math major and eventually becoming involved in modeling the pandemic in India. She shared how her work unexpectedly gained media attention, public recognition, and even influenced people's decisions during the pandemic.
Emerging Trends in Public Health Data
Jennifer initiated a discussion about emerging trends and areas of statistics or data science that could have the greatest potential for public health impact. Thomas emphasized the importance of clinical trials and the need for more statisticians to be involved in them. He also highlighted the role of data monitoring committees in clinical trials and suggested that these committees should include both experienced and inexperienced biostatisticians. Bhramar added to the discussion, stressing the importance of causal inference, experimental design, and data integration, particularly in the context of real-world observational data. She also highlighted the need for statisticians to understand the origins of data and to consider issues like measurement error, information bias, selection bias, and confounding bias.
Balancing Passion and Professional Life
Jennifer led a discussion with Thomas and Bhramar, addressing questions from the audience. Bhramar and Thomas shared their thoughts on the involvement of statisticians in documenting the impacts of war and conflict, with Bhramar emphasizing the importance of passion and skillset in contributing to such fields. Thomas discussed the balance between professional and personal goals, advocating for quality time with family and community, and the importance of collaboration in both professional and personal life. Bhramar also stressed the importance of authenticity and pursuing one's passions, even outside of work. The panelists concluded by expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to share their insights and experiences.