The Department of Biostatistics and Data Science (BDS) in the Division of Public Health Sciences (PHS) at Wake Forest University School of Medicine is a vibrant academic unit comprised of approximately 30 primary faculty members and 95 staff including biostatisticians, data scientists, programmers, project managers, and administrative staff. BDS is a leader in improving the health of all through the full spectrum of biostatistics and data science research by advancing team science, methodology, and education and mentoring.

This department has demonstrated long-standing growth in extramural funding and productivity, with over $22 million in external funding, a median faculty funding effort of 90%, and 238 faculty publications in 2023 alone. We are nationally recognized with three faculty-named fellows in the American Statistical Association.

History of BDS 

  • 1986 – Wake Forest University Health Sciences established the Center for Prevention Research and Biometry
  • 1989 - Section of Biostatistics in the Department of Public Health Sciences created
  • 2006 - Section became the Department of Biostatistical Sciences in the newly formed Division of Public Health Sciences  
  • 2018 – Name changed to Department of Biostatistics and Data Science to better reflect our mission and composition