Let me preface the rest of the letter with the thought that MU is a great place to pursue a post-graduate degree in statistics, especially if you're interested in doing work at the intersection of the life and mathematical sciences. Statistics faculty like Tony Sun and Chris Wikle have wonderful connections on- and off-campus, which are a near guarantee of a superb graduate experience. So if you're thinking about graduate school in statistics, you should pay a visit to that big tiger-striped school just south of us. In the meantime, read the rest of this announcement:

     Biostatistics is now a fundamental scientific component of biomedical, public health 
     and health service research.  The demand for biostatistical consulting and collaboration 
     is exploding, with an increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary research.  However, the 
     supply of well-trained biostatisticians is greatly inadequate. The overall purpose of 
     this biostatistics training program is to establish and provide an internationally 
     recognized prodoctoral, interdisciplinary program that is strong in biostatistical 
     theory and methodology, but also integrates biostatistics training with fundamentals 
     in the biological and computational sciences.  It is designed to prepare students for 
     leadership roles in interdisciplinary research teams working on, for example, problems 
     in bioinformatics, genetics, molecular biology, and computational biology.  In other 
     words, the program will produce young biostatisticians for the 21st century who have a 
     high level of understanding of the biological sciences, a good knowledge of computer 
     science and who can work effectively with scientists engaged in such problems as 
     described above.

     This NIH funding provides full support for trainees in this training program  
     including stipend and tuition.  The trainees in the program can expect training not 
     only in general statistics but also in biostatistics as well as biology and computer 
     science.  The program faculty consist of experts in many fields such as biologists, 
     computing scientists, psychologists and pathologists.  In particular, the program offers 
     the trainees many consulting and research opportunities with these experts.

     We would be delighted to offer additional information on the training program and 
     careers in Biostatistics to any of your students who might be interested.  You and your 
     students may contact me directly at (573) 882-6667 or email me at sunj@missouri.edu.  
     You can also visit us on the web at www.stat.missouri.edu.

     Thank you.

     Sincerely,

     (Tony) Jianguo Sun, Professor of Statistics
     Director, Biostatistics Training Program

It's also worth noting that there are several Truman alums in the Statistics program that would be very happy to talk with current Truman students about the reality of studying and working at MU. Talk with Prof. DeCock or Prof. Miller if you want to know who those alums are.

Sometime this semester, or early next semester, the Mathematical Biology program may offer a day-trip to MU to visit Dr. Sun's program as well as other places on campus that value interdisciplinary training. If you would be interested in joining us on that trip, email Prof. Miller (millerj@truman.edu).