November 5, 2015

Dr. Michael Kosorok

Dr. Michael Kosorok

Michael R. Kosorok, PhD, W.R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor and chair of biostatistics at UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, will be reappointed for a third term as chair of his department, pending University approvals.

Kosorok, who is also professor of statistics and operations research in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences, earned a doctorate in biostatistics at The University of Washington at Seattle. He joined the Gillings School faculty as professor and chair in 2006.

He also is a research fellow at the UNC Cecil B. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, member of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and director of the biostatistics core of the N.C. Translational and Clinical Sciences (NC TraCS) Institute.

“Dr. Kosorok has markedly increased the department’s national and global stature through his support and recruitment of highly talented and productive faculty, staff and students, through the impressive teaching, research and service portfolios of his biostatistics faculty, and through his own research and teaching,” said Barbara K. Rimer, DrPH, dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor at the Gillings School, in announcing her recommendation for the reappointment.

Rimer noted that, during the review process, colleagues commented upon Kosorok’s effectiveness; his engagement with and commitment to students, faculty members and the field; his innovative research; and his development of an expanded and effective leadership team in the department. The review committee, led by Carolyn Halpern, PhD, professor and chair of maternal and child health at the Gillings School, recommended his reappointment “strongly and unreservedly.”

“The role of chair is one of the most challenging in the University,” Rimer said. “[I]f the chair fails to keep the department moving as expected, things fall apart. If the chair lacks vision, the department is not moving toward the future. But we also expect chairs to be outstanding teachers, mentors and researchers and to increase the department’s diversity and inclusion. Dr. Kosorok demonstrated that he is effective on all these fronts.”

“I am thrilled with the opportunity to continue working with such a great department and wonderful school,” Kosorok said.


Gillings School of Global Public Health contact: David Pesci, director of communications, (919) 962-2600 or dpesci@unc.edu
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