Department of
Biostatistics
Advancing statistical science, transforming health research.
At UCLA Biostatistics, we develop the statistical foundations that shape how we understand disease, evaluate treatments, and improve human health. Our faculty and students connect advances in theory, methods, and computation with scientific questions in public health, medicine, and biology through collaborations across UCLA and beyond. Our MS, PhD, and Master of Data Science in Health programs prepare the next generation of statisticians and data scientists to lead in research and professional practice.
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Biostatistics plays a central role in advancing public health and biomedical research.
Biostatistics in Action
By developing and applying statistical methods, biostatisticians help researchers design rigorous studies, analyze complex data, and draw reliable conclusions. Their contributions span drug development, clinical trials, infectious disease surveillance, and population health, among many other areas.
Working across academia, government, industry, and nonprofit organizations, biostatisticians collaborate with scientists and health professionals to address important challenges in medicine and public health.
Research and Expertise at UCLA
The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health's Department of Biostatistics brings together nationally and internationally recognized scholars whose expertise spans Bayesian statistics, causal inference, statistical computing, data science, high-dimensional data analysis, statistical genetics, functional and longitudinal data analysis, hierarchical and multivariate models, imaging, phylogenetics, spatial statistics, survival analysis, and optimal design.
Faculty advance statistical theory and methodology while pursuing interdisciplinary collaborations across public health, medicine, and the biomedical sciences, including research on HIV/AIDS and other major health challenges.
With a strong record of research accomplishments, prestigious professional honors, and leadership in the statistical community, the department combines scientific excellence with a collegial and supportive environment that fosters collaboration, mentorship, and academic growth.
I love the feeling of camaraderie among students in the department. The environment is very supportive and non-competitive — we all just want to help each other succeed.
Collaboration, Research, and Student Opportunities
UCLA's breadth of scientific and clinical expertise provides a rich environment for interdisciplinary research. Biostatistics faculty collaborate with investigators across the university on questions spanning cancer, HIV, aging, brain imaging, child and family health, dentistry, ophthalmology, and community reintegration following incarceration.
These partnerships bring statistical expertise to every stage of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation, helping advance scientific discovery and improve public health.
This collaborative environment also creates valuable opportunities for students in our MS , Master of Data Science in Health (MDSH) , and PhD programs.
Students benefit from exposure to diverse research questions, engagement with experts across disciplines, and opportunities to connect statistical methodology with real-world applications.
