MRC Biostatistics Unit

We develop, apply and promote innovative statistical and data science approaches to advance biomedical science and human health.

[World Scientific @worldscientific]

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬

It was a privilege to witness 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐒𝐲𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐧, Emeritus Director of the MRC Biostatistics Unit, @Cambridge_Uni , receive the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐙𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥 at the 𝐈𝐒𝐁𝐀 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 in Nagoya, Japan.

The medal recognizes her “numerous and deep contributions to Bayesian statistics and biostatistics throughout her career, her substantial service to ISBA — including her presidency in 2005 that saw the launch of 𝘉𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴 — and her leadership of the RSS COVID-19 Task Force, which provided rational and crucial support during the pandemic.”

Prof. Richardson also delivered the Foundational Lecture, “Structures and flexibility: A modelling journey in biostatistics.” The Foundational Lectures celebrate distinguished researchers who have made notable and substantial contributions to the Bayesian community throughout their careers.

It was a great honour to meet Prof. Richardson in person at ISBA 2026 and to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations, Prof. Richardson!

#ISBA2026 #ZellnerMedal #BayesianStatistics #Biostatistics #SylviaRichardson #UniversityOfCambridge #WorldScientific #WSPC #ConnectingGreatMinds #AcademicPublishing #Nagoya

[Stephen Burgess @stevesphd]

New publication "Comparison of methods for assessing effects of risk factors on disease progression in Mendelian randomization under index event bias" at @AJHGNews: https://t.co/1Byhews1pu. Collaboration between Eli Lilly, Sequoia Genetics, and Cambridge University. Brief thread:

[Daianna @daianna_glez]

I’m thrilled to announce I’ve joined Dr. Stephen Burgess lab in the @MRC_BSU at the University of Cambridge, working on Mendelian Randomization analysis.

[Natsal Study @NatsalStudy]

We're sharing more Natsal methods innovations at #ESRA25 today:

Tommy Nyberg @MRC_BSU is presenting on integrating survey data from different samples

Eileen Irvin @Ipsos_in_the_UK is presenting about remote biosample collection

[MRC Biostatistics Unit @MRC_BSU]

Today, Tommy Nyberg is speaking at #ESRA2025 about his work on the @NatsalStudy -
"Data Integration Using Doubly Robust and Bayesian Meta-Analysis Methods for Probability and Convenience Samples"

https://t.co/XuM9srakKw

[Natsal Study @NatsalStudy]

👀Look out for three Natsal-4 talks at #ESRA25 this week:

Katharine Sadler @NatCen with an overview of Natsal-4's methods

Eileen Irvin @Ipsos on remote biosampling

Tommy Nyberg @MRC_BSU on methods to combine probability and non-probability data

[Paul DW Kirk @pauldwkirk]

Great to catch up with former members of my group (and of @MRC_BSU), @johan_vdmolen and @ltronneberg, during the 14th International Conference on Bayesian Nonparametrics at UCLA! Thanks to the organisers and to everyone who attended my talk on Federated Variational Inference for Bayesian Mixture Models, which showcased work from @jackierao_ 's PhD.

[MRC Biostatistics Unit @MRC_BSU]

Congratulations to our Emeritus Director, Professor Sylvia Richardson, on being named a 2024 Top Scholar by Scholar GPS 👏

https://t.co/VUjXHgAgEH

[Stephen Burgess @stevesphd]

New publication at European Journal of Epidemiology: "Search for common genetic variants to allow reliable Mendelian randomization investigations into ketone metabolism" led by Zhu Liduzi (Julie) Jiesisibieke @Jiesisibieke_ZL. Link: https://t.co/4X3A26YNnY. Brief thread:

[MRC Biostatistics Unit @MRC_BSU]

We are recruiting for an IT Manager. A brilliant role, working in a Unit which does first-class statistical research.

[CS Recruitment @ClinSchoolJobs]

IT Manager (Fixed Term) @Cambridge_Uni https://t.co/PiCA2biJF8

[Dementias Platform UK @DementiasUK]

📢 READ-OUT Study milestone: Six UK sites now open with more to follow this month!

The Blood Biomarker Challenge project is expanding rapidly to improve #dementia diagnosis through innovative testing.

Learn how to participate: https://t.co/Poq0QKusta

#DPUK #DementiaResearch

[MRC Biostatistics Unit @MRC_BSU]

Many congratulations to BSU Research Associate, Stina Zetterstrom, on being awarded the Best Student Paper Award by the Swedish Society for Medical Statistics, for her paper on 'Bounds for selection bias using outcome probabilities'
🤩👏

https://t.co/7JVXAsDU4u

[MRC Biostatistics Unit @MRC_BSU]

Daniela De Angelis, Conor Egan and Constantin Schmidt are at the 45th Conference on Applied Statistics in Ireland.

Daniela gave a keynote talk, while Conor and Constantin each presented about their PhD work.

Congrats to them all 🤩

#CASI2025

[Stephen Burgess @stevesphd]

New pre-print: "Mendelian Randomization with longitudinal exposure data: simulation study and real data application" led by Janne Pott is online: https://t.co/5CJftmpRsx. Brief thread:

[MRC Biostatistics Unit @MRC_BSU]

Last week, @SofiaSVillar1 gave a talk at @AstraZeneca about her expert research on response-adaptive randomisation in #ClinicalTrials, discussing the strengths and limitations of response-adaptive studies.

[MRC Biostatistics Unit @MRC_BSU]

We are delighted to have Peter Mueller from the University of Texas visiting our Unit. Today he is delivering the first part of a short course on Nonparametric Bayesian Methods in Biostatistics and Bioinformatics.

[MRC Biostatistics Unit @MRC_BSU]

A brilliant day at our Ethics and Innovative Trial Designs workshop.

Thanks to the fantastic speakers, co-organisers and sponsors, and to all those who attended 🤩

[MRC Biostatistics Unit @MRC_BSU]

Great talks are continuing at the Ethics and Innovative Trial Designs workshop, with Alex John London from @CarnegieMellon and Jerome Singh from Uni KwaZulu-Natal on the ethical aspects of adaptive designs.

[MRC Biostatistics Unit @MRC_BSU]

Our Ethics and Innovative Trial Designs workshop is off to a great start with a talk from Philip Pallmann on adaptive designs in action.

[MRC Biostatistics Unit @MRC_BSU]

A great day of teaching at our Introduction to Adaptive Clinical Trials: Ethical & Statistical Considerations, with lectures and discussion sessions led by Sofia Villar and David Robertson from the BSU, and Mackenzie Graham and Mark Sheehan from @UniofOxford.