Welcome Letter
Welcome to the Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, and Biomathematics at Georgetown University. Located in Washington, D.C., Georgetown is a prestigious private Jesuit research university, recognized as the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the United States and widely respected for its commitment to student-centered learning. We are an academic department that specializes in biostatistics, bioinformatics and biomathematics. This three-fold powerhouse (we like to call it Bio3) is unique and predates quantitative and data sciences in biomedical research. It is the common thread connecting health data science and biomedical research. Faculty members are passionate about teaching and conducting breakthrough studies on topics including methods for the design and analysis of clinical and preclinical studies, proteomics, functional genomics, and cancer prevention and control. Please peruse our pages to find information about our nationally recognized faculty, and topics ranging from our research in biostatistics, bioinformatics, data science, and collaborations with the Georgetown University Medical Center and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium to our Master of Science (M.S.) program and our Doctorate (Ph.D.) program in Biostatistics.
The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area is a rapidly expanding center for biotechnology, pharmaceutical research and development, and biomedical innovation, as well as a major hub for government and commerce. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is located here in Washington, DC. HHS is composed of 27 Institutes and Centers, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its drug, biologics and device evaluation centers, which are major employers of biostatisticians. HHS has been vital to improving the health of the nation. Just down the street from Georgetown University are abundant opportunities to collaborate with the scientists at NIH and regulatory scientists at the FDA to advance scientific knowledge and public health.
Our Master’s of Science Program in Biostatistics is the gateway to a fulfilling career. It provides integrated training in biostatistics, and data science to support health-related research performed in academia, government, and industry. Students will gain knowledge on biostatistics, bioinformatics, cancer studies and epidemiology. I have never seen a Biostatistician who is jobless – except by choice. Our graduates hold positions in academic research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, and the biotechnology industry. They can also join private-sector research and consulting firms or lobbying agencies, or begin a Ph.D. program in Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, Biomathematics, Epidemiology, or other biomedical fields. Our MS curriculum includes a rigorous foundation of general core methodology, biostatistics, and data science, a unique practicum exploring real-world quantitative issues in biomedical research, and a bi-weekly seminar series with nationally recognized speakers in the fields.
Our Ph.D. program in Biostatistics trains students to become outstanding biostatisticians and advance the field of biostatistics. A distinguishing feature of the program is its integration within the world-class biomedical research enterprise at Georgetown University, the Georgetown University Medical Center, and its renowned Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Students will not only acquire powerful modern statistical methods such as clinical trial designs and causal analysis with robust models and machine learning with real-world data, and computational tools, but will also be educated in cognate areas of biological and health sciences such as genetics, epidemiology, and biology.
Our programs reflect central tenets of Georgetown education: they are student-centered, and each person’s individual needs and talents are respected. We aim to help students fulfil their full potential. We encourage you to apply if you have a passion for science and a love of learning. Both M.S. and Ph.D. applications are being accepted for the next Fall semester.
We hope you enjoy touring the Bio3 Department website. If you have a question about the program, a general comment, or just want to say hello, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would love to hear from you!
Ming T. Tan, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Biomathematics