faculty and graduates outside of Victory Heights Arena before graduation 2026
Leading data-driven science in public health

via innovative methodology, interdisciplinary collaboration and impactful education

Why Study Biostatistics?

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Degree Programs
Explore our MS and PhD programs to see how they fit with your goals and interests.
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Admissions
Our students benefit from our internationally known reputation and top 20 ranking compared to all biostatistics programs in the U.S. Apply today!
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Research & Practice
We have numerous ongoing collaborative research projects on which students can work directly with faculty for training and experience.

Application Deadlines

Master of Science (MS)

  • January 15 - priority deadline for financial awards for all applicants
  • May 15 – final deadline for international applicants
  • June 1 – final deadline for U.S. applicants

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

  • December 15

Degree Programs

Annual Report

Featuring a letter from Chair Yan Ma, student research highlights, awards and honors, and more!

Read the latest
Highlights

Research Centers

Get involved in a research project, and help translate findings into practice and policy.

Highlights

Our Mission

Our departmental mission is to:

  • tackle contemporary biostatistical and health data science problems through innovative methodological research
  • advance biomedical and public health research and practice through multidisciplinary collaborations
  • cultivate the next generation of leaders in biostatistics and health data science through high-quality, inclusive education
Who's Who

Faculty and Staff

Learn about the work of our faculty and find contact information. 

Directory
13th best school for biostatistics in the nation
The Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science Annual Report 2024-25
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Jeanine Buchanich lecturing students

News

Ada Youk, PhD, associate professor of biostatistics and associate dean of undergraduate academic affairs

Youk named ASA Outstanding Teacher of the year

Ada Youk, PhD, associate professor of biostatistics and associate dean of undergraduate academic affairs at Pitt Public Health, has been named the 2026 Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the American Statistical Association Section on Teaching Statistics in the Health Sciences.

Xue Yang (PhD ‘26) and Jinhong Li (PhD ‘25) and their baby Jason

Data, dissertations and diapers: Balancing research and family at Pitt Public Health

Before Xue Yang (PhD ‘26) and Jinhong Li (PhD ‘25) started their doctoral journeys within the Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science at Pitt Public Health, they were total strangers. By May 2026, their lives looked much different. The couple crossed the commencement stage together to celebrate their new futures in biostatistics—this time with their one-year-old son, Jason, cheering them on from the audience.

BIOST Professor Ying Ding

Ding named ASA Pittsburgh statistician of the year

Ying Ding, PhD, a professor of biostatistics and health data science at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, has been named the 2026 Statistician of the Year by the American Statistical Association’s Pittsburgh Chapter

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Events

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