Anru Zhang, PhD, was promoted to the rank of full professor, effective July 1, 2026. Zhang is a professor of biostatistics and bioinformatics and computer science and serves as vice chair for research in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics. Before the promotion, he was the Eugene Anson Stead, Jr., M.D. Associate Professor.
Promotion to the full professor rank is a career milestone that is the culmination of a rigorous and thorough review by faculty peers inside and outside Duke and by academic leaders at the department, school, and campus levels. It recognizes distinction, leadership, and impact in research, teaching and engagement, as well as prominence in the relevant area of expertise.
An internationally recognized statistician, Zhang develops methods in statistics, machine learning, and generative AI to address challenges posed by massive and complex datasets. His research has broad applications in biomedicine and healthcare, helping researchers draw more reliable insights from data ranging from electronic health records to microbiome studies. He has been honored for excellence in teaching, mentoring, and research at Duke and internationally.