Edited by Sheng Luo, Biometrics Section Publications Officer

The Biometrics Section is accepting applications for a travel award of up to $3,000 to attend a clinical trials methodology workshop for imagers in La Jolla, California, January 9–15, 2016.

The workshop, held by the Radiology Society of North America (RSNA), presents an opportunity for PhD-level biostatisticians interested in conducting methodological or collaborative research in radiology/imaging clinical trials to learn the relevant methodology and gain experience collaborating with radiologists and imaging specialists.

The intensive one-week workshop on clinical trial methodology for faculty members and fellows in radiology, radiation oncology, and nuclear medicine academic departments provides hands-on training in the design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of clinical trials in radiology and imaging through didactic sessions, one-on-one mentoring, small discussion sessions, self-study, and protocol development workgroups. A curriculum infused with statistical and methodological concepts and examples was developed for this workshop, which provides a student to faculty ratio close to 1:1. The biostatistician attendee will shadow biostatistics faculty members to observe the collaborative process of developing clinical trials in radiology, in addition to learning the methodological aspects of the field.

Eligible applicants will hold a PhD in biostatistics or a related field (e.g., statistics) and have an interest in the design, conduct, and analysis of imaging clinical trials. Applicants should email a one-page letter of interest, CV, and letter of support from their department head to Diana Miglioretti at dmiglioretti@ucdavis.edu with “RSNA CTMW Biostatistics” in the subject line.

The deadline for receipt of applications is August 15. Announcement of the award will be made by October 1.

JSM 2016

It’s also time to think about invited sessions for next year’s Joint Statistical Meetings, which will be held July 30 to August 4, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois. Anyone interested in organizing an invited session or who has ideas for one should contact our 2016 program chair, Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, at bandyopd@gmail.com.

A typical invited session consists of three 30-minute talks followed by a 10-minute invited discussion and 10 minutes of floor discussion. However, other formats are possible. The 2015 program is a good source for examples.

Remember, the most mature ideas will have an advantage in competing for the limited number of slots, so it’s best to have your ideas in final form. The Biometrics Section will have at least four invited sessions, but if we generate enough good ideas, we will be able to compete for additional slots.

Please also submit ideas for short courses to our 2015–2016 continuing education chair, Andrea Troxel, at atroxel@mail.med.upenn.edu.