Biostatistics News
Pitt Public Health rises in latest U.S. News rankings
The University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health continues to be recognized among the nation’s top programs in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. The school rose to No. 14 overall, advancing two spots from last year.
From Physics to Public Health: The Career Path of Barbara Hanusa
Barbara Hanusa's (MsHyg ’90) career journey is a testament to intellectual curiosity and adaptability. With a bachelor's degree in physics from Carnegie Mellon—then called (at the time it was known as Carnegie Tech—and a PhD in experimental social psychology also from CMU, she seemed destined for academia. But life often has other plans.
Meet Calvin_412
Calvin Dziewulski (Jeh-voo-LSKI) works weekdays at Pitt’s School of Public Health as executive assistant to Biostatistics and Health Data Science Chair Yan Ma. A Greensburg native and Pitt alum, he also reaches more than 60,000 Instagram followers as Calvin_412, spending evenings and weekends exploring the city’s streets, alleys and overlooked buildings, showing its history and character through his photography.
Biostatistics team wins inaugural ENAR award
A collaborative research group led by the University of Pittsburgh will receive the inaugural ENAR Team Science Award in Biostatistics at the 2026 Spring Meeting in March, recognizing their work integrating advanced biostatistics and machine learning with clinical and biomedical research to advance understanding of childhood asthma and pediatric scleroderma.
The distinguished team includes Wei Chen, Juan C. Celedón, Molin Yue, Erick Forno, Kathryn S. Torok and Zhao Ren.
Pitt Public Health honors alumni at awards ceremony
The University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Alumni Awards, honoring graduates whose achievements exemplify the school’s mission to advance health and well-being locally and globally.
From statistical methods to personalized treatment solutions
Lu Tang, associate professor of biostatistics and health data science, finds it fun to look at mathematical equations, but says it's more rewarding to see what statistics can do to improve clinical decision making and patient outcomes.
Lu Tang - Senior Vice Chancellor’s Research Seminar Series
Pitt’s Senior Vice Chancellor’s Research Seminar Series, known as the 12@12 series, highlights twelve outstanding young investigators each year whose research spans fundamental science, translational medicine, health equity, and innovative approaches to biomedical discovery. This year, Lu Tang, PhD, associate professor and vice chair for education in the Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, will present his work on December 12, focusing on developing advanced statistical methods to improve study design, data analysis, and interpretation in biomedical research.
Rick Chang: Statistics and Medicine through Causal Discovery
In October 2025, Rick Chang, a PhD student in the Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, published his first-author paper “High-dimensional causal mediation analysis by partial sum statistic and sample splitting strategy in imaging genetics application” in Bioinformatics. The work represents a significant step forward in understanding how genetics and the environment jointly influence disease through complex biological pathways.
From Steel Town to Statistics: The Career of Anthony Segreti
Anthony Segreti (MS, BIOST ‘75) grew up in Larimer, a tight-knit Pittsburgh neighborhood where families knew struggle but also perseverance, during the height of industrialization in the United States. His father worked long hours as a steelworker at the Christy Parks Works of United States Steel, while his mother managed the household and cared for the family. Money was tight, but discipline, education, and hard work were non-negotiable in their household and those values shaped Segreti’s nearly four-decade-long career in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Faculty Spotlight: Two Years In, Rebecca Deek Reflects on Growth and Community at Pitt Biostatistics
When Rebecca Deek joined the Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science as assistant professor, after completing her PhD in biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania in 2023, she brought with her a passion for teaching, dedication to mentoring the next generation of public health scientists and expertise in statistical methodology.
Helen Chen: Guiding Students and Supporting Faculty with Purpose
Academic Administrator Helen Chen brings to the Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science a passion for people, organization, and education. A proud Pitt alumna, Chen studied business and Japanese as an undergrad at Pitt before earning her MBA at the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business in 2022. While in graduate school, she developed an interest in organizational dynamics, a focus that lined up well with the world of academic administration.
Pitt studies highlight access to treatment in a Health Affairs special issue on Opioid Use Disorder
In a themed issue on the opioid crisis published in Health Affairs, three studies from University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health researchers underscore gaps in access to methadone, a medication that can reduce the risk of overdose-related deaths by 50% or more, and other evidence-based interventions.
Navigating Numbers: Douglas Landsittel's inspiring journey in biostatistics and public health
“I received a solid foundation in both theory and application,” Douglas Landsittel reflected on his time at Pitt. “That balance has been critical in every stage of my career.” His advice for students is clear: “Follow your interests, seek good mentors, and don’t be afraid to step into roles that push you to grow.”