The Effective Statistician - in association with PSI

What does it take to create an effective clinical development plan? How do our early decisions shape the path of a compound through clinical phases? And how can statisticians actively balance the demands of science, speed, and cost in drug development? In this special 400th episode of The Effective Statistician, I dive into these questions with Carrie Li, a biostatistics expert whose career spans...

Have you wondered how large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are transforming the way we work? How can AI tools boost efficiency in statistics and pharmaceutical research? In this episode of The Effective Statistician, I talk with Pietro Mascheroni from Boehringer Ingelheim to answer these questions. Pietro, a physicist, shares how LLMs are being used in real-world applications, from simplifyin...

Are you a statistician looking to expand your career beyond the statistics department? Do you want to know how your data expertise and strategic thinking can open new doors? In this episode of The Effective Statistician podcast, I sit down with Swarna Khare, who made that leap and found success in strategic roles across the industry. We explore her journey, discussing how statisticians can leverag...

Are you trying to boost your productivity and organize your tasks more efficiently? In this episode of The Effective Statistician, I talk with Taina Pereenniemi about how Notion can help you take control of your workflows. Taina shares how she transformed her own productivity by using Notion to manage tasks, projects, and collaboration all in one place. We dive into how you can start using Notion...

What can statisticians gain from the world of software engineering? How can coding practices from companies like Google help us enhance the quality of statistical work in the pharmaceutical industry? In this episode of The Effective Statistician, I talk with Daniel Sabanés Bové to explore these questions. Daniel walks us through his career, from working as a biostatistician at Roche to becoming a...

Are you curious about how predictive models forecast future outcomes? Or how do experts build and test these models to ensure they’re reliable? In this episode, I sit down with Chantelle to explore these questions and dive deep into the world of predictive modeling. We break down the process, from analyzing the data to validating the final model, and discuss how these techniques are used, especial...

How can artificial intelligence simplify your daily work? How do tools like GitHub Copilot streamline tasks for statisticians and data scientists? In this episode of The Effective Statistician, I explore these questions with Paolo Eusebi, who shares his direct experience using Copilot in R Studio. We dive into how AI can suggest accurate code, assist with data manipulation, and help you quickly le...

Are you feeling nervous about delivering your next presentation? Do you dread the moment you step in front of an audience? You’re not alone. But what if you could turn that anxiety into confidence and deliver your presentation like a pro? In this episode, I guide you through practical tips to help you feel more comfortable and in control. You’ll learn how to shift your focus to the audience, pract...

In this episode, I dive into some key questions: How does luck influence our careers? How do we stay humble while continually learning and growing? What can we learn from someone who has shaped the field of statistics for decades? I’m thrilled to explore these topics with one of the most influential statisticians, Stephen Senn. Stephen shares his journey, revealing the pivotal decisions that guide...

Do your slides overwhelm your audience with too much information? Are they cluttered, and distracting from the message you want to deliver? In this episode, I help you tackle these challenges by showing you how to craft better, more engaging slides. Building on the last two episodes about preparing presentations, I guide you through practical strategies to simplify your slides, focus on key takeaw...

Are you curious about how artificial intelligence is transforming clinical research? Do you want to know how statisticians can use AI to improve healthcare outcomes? In this episode, I explore these questions with Francois Vandenhende, a seasoned expert in the pharmaceutical industry with nearly three decades of experience. Francois shares his journey from using traditional statistical methods to...

Do you ever wonder what makes a presentation truly resonate with your audience? What turns a simple delivery into something unforgettable? In this episode, I tackle these questions head-on by exploring three key areas that every presenter must address: ethos, logos, and pathos. These timeless concepts, rooted in Greek philosophy, still hold incredible power today. By mastering them, you can boost...

Have you ever questioned how biostatistics and IT intersect, or why managing this relationship can feel so challenging? In this episode, I sit down with Pablo Joerger, a statistician who transitioned into programming after over 40 years in the pharmaceutical industry. We explore how the shift from mainframes to cloud computing has revolutionized our field and examine the pivotal role IT plays in s...

Are you ready to elevate your presentation skills? Do you know the key steps to create a presentation that drives action? What if a few simple questions could drastically improve your presentation outcomes? In this episode, I guide you through the five essential questions that will help you create presentations that do more than just inform—they inspire action. Whether you're aiming to influence d...

Today, we’re diving into some intriguing questions: How can big pharmaceutical companies and small providers work together more effectively? What hidden costs and inefficiencies are lurking in traditional outsourcing models? And how can innovative solutions transform these dynamics? I'm joined by Sheila Mahoney, a seasoned drug development expert with over 25 years of experience. Sheila introduces...

In this exciting continuation of our series on digital transformation and innovation, we dive deeper into the crucial role of policies in driving successful change. I’m joined once again by Chris Colangelo, who brings his extensive experience from working closely with IT and digital teams. In this episode, we examine how companies often overlook strategic policies and the implications of build ver...

Have you ever wondered why some digital transformation efforts fail miserably while others succeed brilliantly? Are you curious about the key elements that can make or break innovation in your organization? Today, I explore these questions with my former colleague and friend, Chris Colangelo. With extensive experience in digital transformation at Eli Lilly and Pfizer, Chris now leads his own consu...

Have you ever wondered how coaching can impact your career and success? Are you curious about the differences between coaching and mentoring and how each can benefit you? In this episode, I explore these questions with Alun Bedding, a seasoned statistician who has recently ventured into the world of coaching. I'm thrilled to welcome Alun back to the show. He shares his inspiring journey from takin...

Are you curious about how benefit-risk assessments in healthcare evolve? Do you wonder how patient preferences shape these evaluations? Today, I speak with Tommi Tervonen, a leading expert in this field, to answer these questions and more. Tommi, the Chief Scientist at Kielo Research in Zurich, brings nearly two decades of experience in Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), patient preferences,...

Are you curious about how to leverage integrated evidence plans (IEPs) effectively? Do you want to know how statisticians can meet the diverse evidence needs of stakeholders and ensure the right data is available at the right time? In this second part of our series on IEPs, we continue our exploration with Jenny Devenport, focusing on the practical application and timing of IEPs. Last time, Jenny...

Are you ready to explore the dynamic world of integrated evidence plans (IEPs) with me? Have you ever wondered how pharmaceutical companies align their strategies across functions and geographies to support a product’s lifecycle? In today's episode, I dive into the complexities and significance of IEPs. I’m excited to have the insightful Jenny Devenport with me, bringing her wealth of experience i...

Are you ready to elevate your statistical skills and network with industry leaders? Interested in presenting your research or learning from the best in the field? Curious about how a virtual conference can enhance your professional growth? This episode dives into the exciting details of the upcoming The Effective Statistician Conference, set to be our most interactive and diverse event yet. Chante...

Have you ever wondered how project management and collaboration between statisticians and clinical operations professionals impact clinical trials? What challenges do they face, and how can they ensure high-quality, timely, and budget-conscious results? Today, I’m thrilled to have Jessica Cordes with us. Jessica brings over 15 years of experience in clinical operations, particularly in oncology an...

Have you ever wondered how we make crucial decisions in the early phases of clinical trials? How can a Bayesian framework enhance these decisions? Today, I talk with Audrey Yeo from Roche to answer these questions. Fresh from the PSI conference, Audrey, a seasoned statistical software engineer, introduces us to an innovative R package designed for early-phase clinical trials. This tool promises to...

Are you looking to elevate your career as a statistician? Curious about how accreditation can enhance your professional status and build trust in your expertise? In this episode, I talk with Magnus Pettersson about the FENstatS accreditation process, an initiative by the Federation of European National Statistical Societies. Magnus shares his insights on the significance of accreditation and the r...