AI and Statistics Start-ups: Opportunities and Challenges
In this thought-provoking keynote recording, Manjari Narayan takes us on a journey through one of the most pressing and promising intersections in modern science: the convergence of artificial intelligence, statistics, and biotechnology. Drawing on her extensive experience in both academia and biotech startups, Manjari explores the critical role statisticians can play in AI-driven drug discovery, biomarker validation, and experimental design.
We are living in a "Cambrian explosion" of biotechnology, where high-throughput experiments, protein engineering, humanized models, and AI-powered screening open massive opportunities—but also introduce challenges in scientific validity, reproducibility, and decision-making. Through personal vignettes and cutting-edge examples, Manjari lays out how statistical thinking can (and should) drive better outcomes in early-stage drug development, biomarker discovery, and translational model evaluation.
This episode is a must-listen for statisticians, data scientists, and healthcare innovators navigating the rapidly evolving biotech and AI startup landscape.
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Combining RCT and RWD – applications in rare diseases and practical recommendations
In this special keynote episode, I’m excited to share the recording of Professor Tim Friede’s thought-provoking presentation from The Effective Statistician Conference 2024. Tim, a leading expert in biostatistics and clinical trial design, dives deep into the combination of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and real-world data (RWD)—especially in the context of rare diseases.
Drawing from his work at the University Medical Center Göttingen and numerous European research initiatives, Tim presents a compelling case for integrating RWD to support small or underpowered RCTs using advanced statistical models. He shares real-world examples (including CJD and Alport syndrome), simulation insights, and practical recommendations that can change how we approach evidence generation in low-prevalence populations.
What You’ll Learn:
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Real-World Evidence vs. Randomized Trials: Can We Emulate Accuracy?
In this keynote episode, Professor Sebastian Schneeweiss from Harvard Medical School shares groundbreaking insights from his extensive research into emulating randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using real-world data (RWD). Recorded live at The Effective Statistician Conference 2024, this talk explores whether non-randomized studies based on electronic health records and claims data can reach conclusions as reliable as those from traditional RCTs.
Prof. Schneeweiss, also Chief of the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, walks us through the RCT DUPLICATE project, a major FDA-funded initiative that evaluated whether regulatory decisions could be replicated through high-quality real-world evidence (RWE).
From the successes to the limitations—and everything in between—this episode is packed with lessons for statisticians, regulators, and pharmaceutical leaders interested in the future of data-driven healthcare decisions.
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The Power of Networking
In this episode of The Effective Statistician, Alun Bedding takes the mic to explore one of the most underrated yet transformative tools in any professional's career—networking.
With the PSI Conference happening, this episode offers timely insights into how statisticians—introverts and extroverts alike—can use networking to build meaningful professional relationships, accelerate their careers, and find support within the broader community.
Alun shares personal anecdotes, including how a casual conversation with Alexander at a past PSI event led to his current guest host role, and outlines a step-by-step mindset and strategy for networking with authenticity and purpose.
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Inclusion for All: Rethinking Success, Neurodiversity, and Accessibility in the Workplace
In this episode, Alun Bedding welcomes Emma Crawford for a powerful and personal conversation about building inclusive workplace cultures—ones where every individual can thrive. Emma shares her late diagnosis of autism and how it reshaped her experience and expectations of the workplace. Together, they explore the limitations of the traditional “reasonable adjustments” framework and introduce the concept of success enablers—workplace strategies and tools that benefit not just neurodivergent individuals but everyone on the team.
The conversation dives deep into the role of leadership, AI tools, flexible work arrangements, and cultural shifts that prioritize accessibility and well-being for all employees.
Emma also previews her interactive workshop at the upcoming PSI conference and gives insight into how the session will encourage open discussion, hands-on activities, and actionable takeaways to help leaders and teams foster a more inclusive environment.
Whether you’re a people leader, statistician, or advocate for change—this episode will challenge your assumptions and inspire more inclusive practices.
Om The Effective Statistician - in association with PSI
The podcast from statisticians for statisticians to have a bigger impact at work. This podcast is set up in association with PSI - Promoting Statistical Insight. This podcast helps you to grow your leadership skills, learn about ongoing discussions in the scientific community, build you knowledge about the health sector and be more efficient at work. This podcast helps statisticians at all levels with and without management experience. It is targeted towards the health, but lots of topics will be important for the wider data scientists community.
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