Biostatistics Faculty Member Earns Prestigious American Statistical Association Fellowship

Dr. Sixia Chen, associate professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, has been named a Fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA).

“This is the most significant milestone in my career so far,” said Chen.

The ASA Fellow designation has recognized outstanding contributions to statistical science for nearly 100 years. Each year, no more than one-third of one percent of the association’s total membership is selected for this distinction, based on excellence in research, professional activities, service, and leadership. Fellows are chosen for their established reputations and meaningful contributions to both the discipline and the broader scientific community.

Chen’s research focuses on survey methodology, missing data, causal inference, and data integration—areas that are essential to advancing rigorous, data-driven public health research. He has published approximately 130 peer-reviewed articles, including leading statistical/biostatistical methodological journals such as Biometrika, Annals of Applied Statistics, and Statistica Sinica, and has served as principal investigator on multiple funded projects, including NIH R21, NARCH, and U.S. Census Bureau Fellowship awards.

An elected member of the International Statistical Institute, Chen currently serves as Director of the Novel Methodologies Unit within the BERD Core of OSCTR and Director of the OU Health Sciences Neurosurgery Biostatistics Unit. He is also the recipient of the Presbyterian Health Foundation Presidential Professorship and previously served as ASA District 4 Vice Chair. Chen also serves as Associate Editor for five leading statistical journals.

Widely regarded as one of the highest honors in the field, the ASA Fellowship reflects the far-reaching impact of Chen’s leadership and contributions to statistical methodology and public health research.

“Dr. Chen’s recognition as an ASA Fellow underscores the strength of our department’s research excellence and the global impact of the work being done in biostatistics and epidemiology at OU. We are incredibly proud of this well-deserved honor and grateful for the dedication and expertise he brings to our department and the broader scientific community”, said Dr. Jennifer Peck, Interim Chair of the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology.

This recognition underscores the strength and impact of the college’s biostatistics and epidemiology programs and highlights the critical role of statistical science in improving population health outcomes.