December 29, 2005
Michael R. Kosorok, PhD

Dr. Michael Kosorok

Michael R. Kosorok, PhD, has been named chair of the biostatistics department at the University of North Carolina’s School of Public Health, effective May 1, 2006.

Kosorok currently serves as professor in the Department of Statistics and the Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, and as affiliate professor in the Department of Pediatrics, both at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has been on the University of Wisconsin faculty and a member of the University of Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Cancer Center since 1992.

Dean Barbara K. Rimer said Kosorok is a multi-faceted biostatistician who represents a superb blend of both methodological and collaborative research.

“He is one of the leading biostatisticians in the world in both the development of innovative statistical methods that are used worldwide and in the application of these methods to important public health issues, such as the treatment of cystic fibrosis and cancer,” she said. “There is no question that Dr. Kosorok will greatly enhance the already strong collaborations between the Department of Biostatistics and other departments within the School of Public Health and within other UNC Health Affairs schools.”

Kosorok received a BM in music composition and an MS in statistics, both in 1988 from Brigham Young University. He received both an MS and a PhD in biostatistics in 1991 from the University of Washington at Seattle, and a third master’s in Music Composition from the University of Wisconsin in 1999.

With a notable track record of teaching, service and publication, Kosorok has received several highly competitive NIH grant awards and has published numerous papers in the best biostatistics and statistics journals in the world. Of particular national and international importance are his contributions to the efficient design of clinical trials and to the analysis of data from clinical studies. In addition, Kosorok initiated a program to recruit and develop minority students at the University of Wisconsin.

“Dr. Kosorok is a true biostatistician in every sense of the word,” said Dr. Lawrence L. Kupper, Alumni Distinguished Professor and associate chair of the Department of Biostatistics. “He will serve as a great role model for both faculty and students in the UNC Department of Biostatistics.”

Kosorok will replace Interim Chair Jianwen Cai, PhD, in May 2006. In January, Cai succeeded former chair Ed Davis, PhD, who stepped down following an important period of growth and enhanced stature of the department.

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For further information, please contact Ramona DuBose at 919-966-7467 or ramona_dubose@unc.edu.

 

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