In this session, participants will work as a team or individually to answer trivia questions related to Statistics, Biostatistics, and the Fostering Excellence in Biostatistics Workshop. The goal is to learn a little, have fun, and get energized for a full day ahead.
This panel brings together students at various stages of their academic journeys to share their experiences, challenges, and motivations for pursuing a degree in biostatistics. Panelists will discuss how their backgrounds shaped their paths. Attendees will gain insight into different career trajectories, the value of interdisciplinary training, and strategies for navigating graduate school. This discussion will provide valuable takeaways for students on how to decide on a graduate program, as well as how to build a supportive community within the field of biostatistics.
Success in a collaborative environment is highly dependent on an individual’s ability to effectively communicate. Every day, statisticians and other quantitative scientists use their communication skills to gain & share information, build relationships, propose ideas, debate issues, and influence decision-making. Despite its importance, most receive very little, if any, formal or ongoing training in communication.
This interactive roundtable will discuss the techniques and approaches that separate average communicators from exceptional communicators. Focus will be given to persuasive communication skills, properly preparing for a presentation or critical discussion, and specific techniques that will help you build relationships and convince collaborators of your ideas. Attendees will have the opportunity to immediately apply important techniques that will not just improve their communication but will also have them re-thinking their approach to every collaborative interaction.
This interactive session introduces participants to career paths in biostatistics across industry, academia, and research centered institutions. Students will rotate among small-group tables hosted by experts from each sector, learning what these roles look like in practice, what skills are most valued, and how to prepare for entry into each career path. The session emphasizes candid discussion, guidance, and networking, and is designed to help participants explore career options and connect with experts and other folks interested in these fields.
In this keynote address, Dr. Brian A. Millen, Vice President and Head of Statistical Sciences and Evidence Generation at Biogen and President‑elect of the American Statistical Association, will explore what it means to be future ready as a biostatistician. Drawing on more than two decades of leadership across industry and the profession, Dr. Millen will discuss the evolving toolsets and mindsets needed to thrive in a rapidly changing environment. Attendees will gain insight into how each of us, across backgrounds, sectors, and career stages, can prepare and shape the next generation of excellence in biostatistics.
This session features talks that will provide a high-level, non-technical introduction to how (bio)statistics is applied across diverse scientific domains. Speakers will illustrate how statistical methods contribute to addressing real-world research questions, while also pointing attendees to practical computing resources such as statistical software (e.g., R and Python), tutorials, and cheat sheets. The session will also offer guidance on preparing for statistical training, highlighting the skills needed to enter the field and emphasizing the relevance and impact of (bio)statistics in modern research.
This session will provide graduate students with valuable tips and strategies for writing methodological and collaborative papers. Through a combination of didactic lectures and interactive activities, graduate students will gain practical insights to enhance their writing skills. Open discussions may also address broader topics such as the use of Artifi cial Intelligence (AI), building a professional network, fi nding mentors and sponsors, and navigating the job search process in the current climate .
Join an interactive session focused on cultivating and maintaining professional community. Designed for practitioners and academics alike, this discussion will center on real-world experiences, common challenges, and practical strategies to strengthen connection, mentorship, and long-term success. Participants will share insights, co-develop approaches for inclusive networking and support, and leave with actionable ideas to foster vibrant, resilient communities in their own individual professional settings. Co-led by two facilitators, the session invites active participation and collaborative problem-solving.
This structured networking session is designed to help participants meet new people, foster meaningful conversations, and expand their professional network. Through an interactive scavenger hunt activity, attendees will be encouraged to move around the room and initiate conversations with individuals they have not previously met. By the end of the session, participants will have made multiple new connections and identified people they may want to stay in touch with after the event.