Geert Verbeke
Degree(s)
BS in mathematics from the
University of Leuven, Belgium
MS in mathematics from the
University of Leuven, Belgium
MS in biostatistics from Hasselt
University, Belgium
PhD in science (biostatistics) from the
University of Leuven, Belgium
Employer
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
(University of Leuven)
Current Title
Professor of Biostatistics
What or who inspired you to be a statistician? What is a skill you would like to learn to be
During my studies in mathematics, I became less better at your job?
and less interested in pure math and was constantly Having better management skills would probably
looking for courses in which mathematics was shown help me in my administrative duties within my
to have meaningful real-life applications. My profes- department and my university.
sor of multivariate statistics (Paul Embrechts, cur-
rently at ETH Zurich, Switzerland) motivated me Name one or two favorite books you have
to pursue a master’s degree in biostatistics at Hasselt read and would recommend to others.
University. Simultaneously, I enrolled in a PhD pro- Scientifically: I often recommend the book
gram in biostatistics at the University of Leuven, Biostatistics: A Methodology for the Health Sciences by
under the supervision of Emmanuel Lesaffre (cur- van Belle, Fisher, Heagerty, and Lumley, published
rently at Leuven and Rotterdam). Being able to by Wiley in 2004 (second edition). I consider this
immediately apply theory in the context of a big book a key reference in biostatistics for both statisti-
university hospital in combination with initiating cians and clinicians.
my own research turned out to be very stimulating. Other: I do not read much, but most of the books
I read are novels by Stephen King. I very much
What is the hardest or most interesting thing appreciate the way in which he balances reality and
about being a statistician? science fiction.
In biostatistics, the hardest component of the job
is definitely having to be able to communicate Given the current economy, would you recom-
with clinicians from various disciplines in medical mend statistics as a profession to a student?
research. Correct application of statistical method- Yes! I really believe that with the ever-growing
ology requires sufficient understanding of both the amount of data collected in various areas of soci-
context in which the data were collected and the ety, there will be even more demand for statisticians
key clinical research questions. Furthermore, it is than is currently the case. This is also reflected in
important that the biostatistician can report his/her the fact that most university educational programs
results in such a way that the clinician gets sufficient contain at least a few courses in statistics.
background with the methodology applied in order
to correctly interpret the results, while not being What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
overly technical. I do not have any particular hobbies. I often swim,
and I like just spending time with family, friends,
What is the best career advice you were ever or colleagues. Going out for a nice dinner, or just
given? having a drink together, are things I really enjoy.
To spend some time abroad. In 1991, I spent half Traveling is also one of my favorites.
a year at the Biostatistics Department of The Johns
Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
62 AMSTAT NEwS SEPTEMbER 2009
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