SUBJECT:  Appointment of Professor and Chief of the
                     New Division of Biostatistics

Over the last year the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine conducted an extensive international search for a leader in biostatistics. I am pleased to announce that the search has been successfully completed and that we have appointed Ronald G. Thomas, Ph.D. as Professor and Chief of the new Division of Biostatistics. Dr. Thomas' appointment and the initiation of the Division are effective as of July 1, 2001.

The Division's mission is to develop a nationally and internationally recognized program in biostatistical science. This goal to be accomplished through the pursuit of excellence in four principal areas; 1) biostatistics methodologic research, in particular methods responsive to new quantitative and scientific problems arising from advances in medicine, biology and health care systems, 2) collaborative clinical research, 3) education in contemporary statistical theory and applications, and 4) service to the university and local community.

The new division consists of six full time faculty. Methodologic research areas include: longitudinal data analysis, statistical genetics, clinical trials methods, statistical computing, and image analysis.

The division encourages consultation requests and welcomes collaborative opportunities with SOM faculty and students.

                                                Edward W. Holmes, M.D.
                                                Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences
                                                Dean, UCSD School of Medicine