Richard Cook

Biostatistical research

Richard is a biostatistician interested in both innovative statistical approaches to the design and analysis of medical studies and interdisciplinary collaborative health research. Working with other health researchers in industry and other institutions, he designs studies to efficiently and rigorously address questions that are posed by clinical investigators. These studies create opportunities for Richard to advance statistical practice and methodology as well. Richard’s work has included long-term studies in rheumatology and the design and analysis of clinical trials for oncology, transfusion medicine, and respiratory disease.

“I’m a statistician interested in developing methods and I want those methods to be useful. To meet these objectives you've got to reach out. You’ve got to work with people who are receptive to the idea of incorporating innovative biostatistical methods into a joint research program,” states Richard. “There are exciting opportunities for biostatisticians in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and government, and I always encourage good students to explore this field.”

Richard received a Canada Research Chair in May 2005. The Chair has allowed him to continue with the collaborations that mean so much to his theoretical work. Richard is also writing a book with a colleague Jerry Lawless (UWaterloo) on the analysis of recurrent event data. The book deals with methods for characterizing the occurrences of events over a person’s lifetime and so has bearing on many problems in health research.

University of Waterloo Mathematics, Annual Report 2005