Translational Biomedical Informatics News

Anru Zhang, PhD, has received the 2026 Leo Breiman Junior Award from the Section on Statistical Learning and Data Science of the American Statistical Association . The award recognizes the significant impact of his work in statistical learning and data science.

Anru Zhang, PhD ,  Eugene Anson Stead Jr., MD, Associate Professor of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics,  received recognition from the Duke Office of Biomedical Graduate Education for his excellence in teaching. His BIOSTAT 915 course, High-Dimensional Statistics, is one of the most highly rated courses in the Duke University School of Medicine, according to student evaluations.

Jessica Tenenbaum, PhD , associate professor of biostatistics and bioinformatics, and Nan Liu, PhD , adjunct associate professor in biostatistics and bioinformatics, have been elected to the 2026 class of Fellows of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA).

Michael Pencina, PhD, stepped down as vice dean for data science at Duke University School of Medicine and chief data scientist for Duke Health, effective September 30, 2025. He accepted an exciting new opportunity as chief AI scientist with UnitedHealth Group

Thyroid cancer is common, but many cases — up to 77% — are believed to be over diagnosed. That means that people with cancer that may never have caused harm or symptoms may undergo stressful and costly unnecessary biopsies.

Although it aims to use AI to advance health care, two Duke Health researchers see it as a tool that requires careful evaluation and thoughtful oversight.

Duke University School of Medicine researchers have proposed a new statistical approach to improve how scientists and policy makers use health record data to guide decisions, such as when it's time for a booster shot.

The project, co-led by Matthew Engelhard, PhD, assistant professor of biostatistics and bioinformatics, aims to bring early mental health screening to clinics where access to care is limited.

B&B faculty Matthew Engelhard, PhD, and David Carlson, PhD, discussed a Duke pilot project on the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms in this article by the Associated Press.

Xiaoyue Ni, PhD, who has a secondary appointment in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, led engineers in developing new wearable technology that provides real-time medical and athletic insights.