Dear Colleagues:

It is with great pleasure that I wish to announce that Professor Josée Dupuis, professor of biostatistics, who has served with distinction as interim chair of biostatistics since April 1, 2015, will assume the role as chair of biostatistics effective January 1, 2017.

Professor Dupuis is a statistical geneticist with extensive experience in the development and application of statistical methods to elucidate the genetic mechanism underlying complex human diseases. Her methodological work in rare variant analysis and gene by environment interaction, adapted to family and multi-study designs, has been applied by genetic researchers across the globe, and have led to the discovery of disease susceptibility genetic variants for many complex diseases.  She is world-renowned for her work in type-2 diabetes genetics, and is one of the key leaders of two large international consortium: MAGIC (Meta-Analyses of Glucose and Insulin-related traits Consortium) and CHARGE (Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology). She was elected fellow of the American Statistical Association for her “outstanding contributions to the development and application of statistical methods for genetics data; for excellence of collaborative research in mapping human complex disease genes; and for significant service to the profession, particularly at the interface of statistics with genetic epidemiology and medicine.” She was also named fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for “distinguished contributions to the field of statistical genetics leading to the discovery and improved understanding of the genetic basis for common human diseases.” Professor Dupuis is the current president of the International Genetic Epidemiology Society, and has served on numerous international grant panels. She is also known as a great teacher, passionate about teaching the fundamentals of statistical genetics as part of three courses offered in the biostatistics department, and has earned five SPH Excellence in Teaching Awards, at least one for each of the statistical genetics offering. Professor Dupuis previously served also as associate chair of the department and is a universally respected scholar and teacher.

I asked Professor Dupuis to serve as interim chair more than a year ago, and through that time I have had the extraordinary privilege of working alongside her both on departmental issues and in school leadership as part of the School’s Governing Council. I have enjoyed my work with Professor Dupuis, learned from her, and been inspired by her leadership. Three months ago, we launched a department listening tour where I met with all faculty and staff on the department’s future. It was exciting to listen to the universal enthusiasm evinced by the department community for Professor Dupuis’ leadership and, even more, for the department’s potential with Professor Dupuis at the helm in coming years. We are fortunate indeed to have Professor Dupuis in our midst, and I will be honored to work alongside her in the role of chair in coming years.

My heartfelt thanks go to Professor Dupuis for her work thus far, for accepting this role, and for what she shall do to build the best biostatistics department possible in the future. My thanks go to all members of the University community who met with me over the past few months as we considered the best path forward about the future of the department.

Warmly,

Sandro

Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH
Dean, Robert A. Knox Professor
sgalea@bu.edu

View all announcements