Wei Shen: Solving real-life problems

Wei Shen was drawn to biostatistics because it "helps find solutions to real-life problems, particularly issues in public health and clinical research," he says.

After receiving his Ph.D. in 1996, he joined Eli Lilly and Company where he is now head of statistics and is responsible for a staff that supports Phase 4 clinical trials, data mining, and health outcomes research.

In general, new drug development and clinical research has led to a huge demand for biostatisticians in recent years. And this trend shows no sign of slowing.

Shen says his choice to attend the School of Public Health was an easy one: "The academic reputation of the institution is excellent and the faculty and curriculum are among the best in the world." The hands-on research opportunities he had in AIDS and cancer were rewarding, both personally and professionally, he says.

(Updated: June 2009)

Biostatistics