equations, and missing data in clinical trials. Evans’
course encompassed noninferiority trials, benefit/
risk assessment, data-monitoring committees, data
monitoring using prediction, subgroup analyses,
important issues in clinical trial design, and the
growing roles of the biostatistician in clinical trials.
During the short courses, Molenberghs and Evans
were struck by the respectfulness and humility of the
Japanese students. The instructors were often met
with traditional bows and the students were quiet
during lectures at first, which caused Molenberghs
and Evans to wonder about their comprehension
(the lectures were taught in English). However
they soon learned this was part of Japanese culture.
Questions and discussion during breaks and after
the lectures showed the understanding and inter-
est of the students. Molenberghs and Evans enjoyed
Geert molenberghs teaches the short course
interacting with the students and discussing issues
Longitudinal and Incomplete Data.
from the presentations, the future of biostatistics in
Japan, and the futures of the students.
Molenberghs and Evans also gave a seminar to
the BSJ, an active organization with approximately
500 members. Molenberghs discussed methods for
longitudinal data analyses with missing data, while
Evans discussed benefit/risk assessment in clinical
trials. The seminar attracted nearly 60 statisticians.
evans also gave a seminar on data monitoring using
prediction at the Japanese National Institute of
Public Health (NIPH) in Tokyo.
Academic partnerships with Japanese universi-
ties have begun to emerge. For example, Kitasato
University has established a collaboration with the
department of biostatistics at the Harvard School of
Public Health (HSPH). Masahiro Takeuchi, chair of
the department of biostatistics and pharmaceutical
medicine at Kitasato University, is a Harvard alum-
nus and the recipient of Harvard’s Distinguished
scott evans teaches the short course Hot Topics in
Alum Award in 2007. Each year, a Harvard faculty
Clinical trials.
member visits Kitasato University to give a short
course or lecture series. This year, Marvin Zelen
lectured at the 9th Kitasato-HSPH Symposium,
New training programs also have emerged to
“Advanced and Global Drug Development
meet the needs of the growing biostatistics educa-
Techniques: Significance of Asian Studies in
tional initiatives. One such program is the biosta-
Simultaneous Global Clinical Trials.” Another link
tistics summer school program at Osaka University,
has been established between Kurume University
organized by Toshimitsu (Toshi) Hamasaki. It was
and the department of epidemiology at the School
conceived as a four-day training program for gradu-
of Public Health, University of Washington.
ate students at Osaka University and other local
It is clear that Japan is increasing its biostatistics
universities, as well as statisticians working in the
quality and quantity. This growth will result in fur-
pharmaceutical industry. Hamasaki noted that these
ther improvement to an already high level of patient
students “are the future of biostatistics in Japan.”
care. For the international community, opportuni-
This year’s program consisted of two two-day short
ties for scientific, social, and cultural interactions
courses: Longitudinal and Incomplete Data, taught
are manifold. You can view the growth of biostatis-
by Geert Molenberghs, and Hot Topics in Clinical
tics in Japan by attending the XXVI International
Trials, taught by Scott Evans. Molenberghs’ course
Biometric Conference (IBC2012), to take place in
covered linear mixed models, generalized estimating
Kobe, Japan, in August of 2012. n
26 AmstAt News NOVEMBER 2009
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