Biostatistics

Melissa Begg, ScD, professor of clinical Biostatistics, and co-director of the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, took on an additional role in 2008 as associate dean for Interdisciplinary Programs. Representing the School on the health sciences campus, Dr. Begg leads and facilitates the development of interdisciplinary, cross-school educational and research programs.

In addition to continuing her work in promoting excellence in statistical education, Dr. Begg is working to create new synergies and advances, enrich the University’s translational research initiatives through the expertise and population-based approaches of the public health sciences, and ensure rigorous cross-disciplinary training as a key to the important discoveries in health research in the future.

Dr. Begg earned her doctorate in biostatistics from the Harvard School of Public Health in 1989. At the Mailman School, she has made significant contributions to research in the areas of oral health, mental health, and statistical methods. In 2000, Dr. Begg assumed the role of director of academic programs for the Department of Biostatistics. Her excellence as an educator has been formally recognized on multiple occasions: in 2005, she was appointed to the CUMC Glenda Garvey Teaching Academy; in 2006, she received both the Mailman School’s Teaching Award from the graduating class and the University’s Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching. She was elected to the Board of the Association for Clinical Research Training in 2008.