UK’s Fardo joins American Statistical Association Fellows

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UK's David Fardo, Ph.D., has been named a fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA). Photo provided
Pictured are the 2024 American Statistical Association Fellows. Photo provided.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 4, 2024) — David Fardo, Ph.D., a professor of biostatistics and the inaugural Stephen W. Wyatt Endowed Professor of Public Health in the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, has been named a fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA).

The prestigious distinction honors members for their professional contributions, leadership and commitment to the field of statistical science. ASA is the second oldest, continuously operating professional association in the country and can elect up to one-third of one percent of the total membership as fellows each year.

Fardo was chosen “for methodological and substantive contributions in statistical genetics and genetic epidemiology, scientific leadership in aging and neurodegeneration research, strong record of mentoring and statistical education, and service to the profession.”

Fardo earned a Ph.D. in biostatistics from Harvard University in 2008 after first working in human resources consulting in Chicago. He has since developed and taught a variety of biostatistics courses across public health degree programs and offers graduate courses in statistical genetics at UK.

“It is an honor to be recognized as a Fellow, and it’s a testament to fantastic colleagues and abundant support at UK,” said Fardo, who was inducted as an ASA Fellow at the 2024 Joint Statistical Meeting in Portland, Oregon on Aug. 6.

“Our Statistical Genetics ‘Omics Research Collaborative (S’ORCe) works to uncover the genetic foundations of diseases and is advancing public health research in Kentucky and beyond. Our goal is to continue this research to develop and improve interventions for diseases like Alzheimer’s and related dementias, and ultimately create healthier communities,” said Fardo.

The biostatistician is also a faculty affiliate in the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, a co-investigator and co-core director of the UK Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and principal investigator of two grants, all funded by the National Institute on Aging.

Fardo applies statistical genetics to various neurodegenerative diseases. Statistical genetics combines the two fields of study to identify patterns between genetic markers and traits and diseases.

“We are so proud to see the American Statistical Association recognize Dr. Fardo’s impact in his field,” said Heather Bush, Ph.D., dean of the College of Public Health. “Biostatistics is essential to public health research and, ultimately, helps us make data-driven decisions to improve health outcomes.”

“Dr. Fardo’s expertise in biostatistics and statistical genetics helps us rigorously study Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias at Sanders-Brown,” said Linda Van Eldik, Ph.D., director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. “We are grateful to have his continued collaboration to transform data into actionable insights.”

You can find the full list of 2024 ASA Fellows online here.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

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