
Iowa State University alumnus Dr. Birol Emir has been named a Fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA), a distinction awarded to a select group of statisticians for their exceptional contributions to the field.
Emir, who earned his Ph.D. in statistics from Iowa State, is currently a lecturer in Columbia University’s M.S. in Applied Analytics program and serves as an executive director at Pfizer. At Pfizer, he leads Real-World Evidence Statistics across therapeutic areas, applying his expertise in big data, predictive modeling, and genomics to drive healthcare innovation.
In addition to his work in the pharmaceutical industry and academia, Emir has contributed to several important publications in the field. He co-edited the book Statistical Topics in Healthcare Economics and Outcomes Research and authored a chapter in A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Tables: Graphics in Life Sciences. He has also taught short courses, presented at conferences, and served as an external Ph.D. committee member at Rutgers University.
Emir’s work reflects his commitment to advancing statistical science, particularly through the application of sophisticated methods to real-world problems. His teaching at Columbia integrates these practical applications, helping students develop the skills necessary to tackle complex challenges in analytics.
For more insight into his career and research, Columbia University has published an interview with Emir that highlights more about his work and teaching philosophy.