School of Public Health Launches Biostatistics Doctoral Program

A new doctoral program in biostatistics at the University of Maryland School of Public Health (SPH) will train students in this vital and growing field, providing the analytical foundation for understanding health trends and making evidence-based decisions.

“Biostatistics is a core discipline in public health. With the growing importance of big data in public health, there is increased demand for biostatisticians who are trained to analyze and glean lifesaving insights from such data,” said Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Chair and Professor Amir Sapkota.

Demand for this specialization is particularly high in the D.C. metro area, with its numerous research institutions and federal agencies, he said. “We hope to play a central role in providing first-class graduates equipped to rise to the challenges of our public health needs, now and in the future.”

The program, enrolling students this fall, will equip students with a foundation in statistical theory, inference and applied methods. Students will gain hands-on data analysis experience and interdisciplinary research opportunities to develop innovative statistical methodologies, interpret complex health data and address grand challenges facing the nation and the world.

“We’re enhancing our ability to train the next generation of public health leaders to use new and emerging tools like AI to find real health solutions from the most challenging of datasets,” said SPH Dean Boris Lushniak. “We know our graduates will do public health good with the skills learned in this program.”