Dr. Meza named biostatistics chairwoman

Jane Meza

Jane Meza, Ph.D., has been named chair of the department of biostatistics in UNMC’s College of Public Health. She was formerly the interim chair of the department.

She will oversee the academic programs and collaborative research projects.

“Our focus is on building new educational programs including, a recently established concentration in biostatistics for the master of public health program (M.P.H),” Dr. Meza said.

More COPH changes Li-Wu Chen was appointed interim chair of the Health Services Research and Administration department relinquishing his post as director of doctoral programs for the department; and Preethy Nayar, Ph.D., will serve as director of doctoral programs for the Health Services Research and Administration department.

In addition to these goals, the department plans to:

• Increase recruitment of students to the biostatistics concentration of the M.P.H. program;
  
• Build a Ph.D. program in biostatistics; and
  
• Continue campus involvement in research studies and with the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.

Dr. Meza said faculty in her department are not only interested in data analysis but also study design. And they work with clinical, observational and population-based studies.

“Jane has led the department as interim chair for two years and I’m pleased to select her as its permanent chair,” said Ayman El-Mohandes, M.B.B.Ch., M.D., M.P.H., dean of UNMC’s College of Public Health. “She has a keen interest in academic growth and will no doubt lead the biostatistics department to increased recognition and service.”