Who is writing and talking here?
We’re Alexander Schacht and Benjamin Piske. We create and edit the content, in addition to managing our work lives, home lives and being continuous learners. We invite you to come and learn along with us to work more effectively, lead courageously, and solve problems innovatively.
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Alexander Schacht is a Statistician and the founder of Sanevidence. Alexander studied mathematics and received his PhD in biostatistics on non-parametric statistics from the University of Göttingen in Germany. He has authored more than 70 scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and regularly speaks at international conferences, such as PSI and EADV.
With more than 20 years of experience working as a statistician in healthcare, Alexander is working primarily on phase IIIb and IV (RCT, observational studies, HTA submission, commercialisation work) with some regulatory work, as well as some work within the early phases of clinical development.
Alexander is interested in a broad range of methodological areas with a specific focus on helping pharmaceutical and biotech companies make better, data-driven decisions. In fact, this keen interest saw Alexander become the chair of the EFSPI/SPI SIG on benefit-risk, founder and chair of the data visualisation SIG and the Launch and Lifecycle SIG. Alexander has also served PSI as a board director responsible for communications.
Alexander is a happy husband and father of three wonderful kids, who he credits for his continued passion and drive to help patients worldwide. In his spare time, Alexander loves running and listening to podcasts.
Benjamin Piske got interested in statistics during his studies of mathematics and economics at the University of Göttingen, where he attended courses of statistics at the department of medical statistics. Focusing on non-parametric statistics, he completed his MSc in 2003 and continued to work at the department until starting with a global full service CRO in April 2004. Currently he is working at Cytel as a Senior Director, Biostatistics, heading the team in North America.
He started as biostatistician in the phase IIIb/IV environment and worked on interventional and non-interventional late phase trials, commercialization work, publication / presentation support, registries and investigator-driven trials in several therapeutic areas – mainly oncology, haematology and neurology – using a broad range of statistical methods. During the later stages of his career, Benjamin also worked on phase II and phase III trials, as well as submissions.
In 2008 Benjamin took over line management responsibility for a primarily remote team, and since then, developed more and more into a senior managing position with focus on people development. He’s primarily working home based with occasional days in the Cytel office in Berlin, Germany.
“Besides the challenging job and the not less challenging family responsibilities with having 4 children, I love to travel, occasionally play squash, but more frequently record podcast episodes with Alexander.”
Behind the scenes: Reine Escalona is an innovative entrepreneur and digital media maven, recognized as the visionary force behind VVS Digital Media. With a passion for creativity and a keen eye for strategic growth, she has carved out a niche for herself in the bustling world of online content creation and marketing.
As the founder of VVS Digital Media, Reine spearheads a talented team dedicated to elevating brands through the power of podcasting and digital storytelling, delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.
In addition to her work with VVS Digital Media, Reine is also a valued partner of The Effective Statistician Podcast and its Academy. Collaborating closely with industry experts such as Alexander Schacht, she extends her expertise to every facet of the podcast’s production. Her unwavering commitment to excellence ensures that each episode resonates with audiences worldwide, driving engagement and fostering meaningful connections within the statistical community.
The Team
Kacey
Jenice
Eunice
Meni
RJ
Marynel
The Volunteers
Ioanna Tarelli is a Health Data Analyst with a Master’s in Health Statistics & Data Analytics and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics. She is passionate about leveraging the power of data to improve lives and health outcomes. Her goal is to utilize her skills in data analysis, effective communication, and clinical data to transform patient health. Ioanna is committed to continual growth and excellence, as evidenced by her pursuit of a master’s degree in health statistics and data analytics. She has also earned certifications in data literacy, project management, and front-end development. Ioanna actively participates in various organizations, volunteering with the Athens Science Festival, IEEE student branch, Women On Top, Among, and others.
Teresa Greco holds a PhD in Biomedical Statistics from the University of Milan and has amassed over 15 years of experience in clinical trials and statistics within various research institutes and industries. Currently, she serves as the Associate Director of Medical Affairs Statistics at Jazz Pharmaceuticals. In this role, she manages and oversees the biostatistics activities for multiple compounds, leading efforts in the design, analysis, and publication of results from phase IV studies, post-authorization safety studies, post-hoc analyses, and post-marketing commitments. Greco is driven by a desire to enhance the capabilities of others, fostering innovation and guiding them towards optimal decisions.
Valentina Fermanelli, with a PhD in Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics from Chalmers tekniska högskola, is a mathematical modeller and data scientist at Epistat AB. In her role, she has enhanced the development and visualization of longitudinal disease data using R shiny apps. Her academic research focused on apolipoprotein kinetics in diabetic patients using non-linear mixed effects models.
Fermanelli is not only a skilled professional in her field but also an entrepreneur and a certified practitioner of Laughter Yoga and Emotional Freedom Techniques. She utilizes these practices to boost well-being and resilience in individuals and companies, honing interpersonal skills like communication, networking, presentation, and empathy through diverse client interactions.
Driven by a passion for contributing to international and interdisciplinary teams on projects that significantly improve lives, Fermanelli seeks a role that promises a positive impact, meaningful objectives, and a collaborative work environment. She invites potential employers to contact her for opportunities that align with her skills and passions.
Panagiota G. Savvidou is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Research Methodology in Biomedicine, Biostatistics, and Clinical Bioinformatics at the University of Thessaly. With a background in Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, Savvidou is keen on making a significant contribution to the field of Bioinformatics. Her robust grounding in computer science principles and a comprehensive understanding of biomedical data equip her to address complex issues where technology meets life sciences.
She aims to use her expertise in healthcare analytics management to develop information systems, software applications, and databases, focusing on Bioinformatics. Savvidou is enthusiastic about working with multidisciplinary teams, blending her technical knowledge with sector-specific insights to foster innovation in the rapidly advancing bioinformatics sector.
Her areas of expertise include Data Science, Data Warehouses, Data Visualization, Databases, SQL, Microsoft PowerBI, and Data Analysis using programming languages like Python, R, C, and C++, as well as Machine Learning, PostgreSQL, and SPSS.
Jorge Guevara obtained a degree in Pharmaceutical Chemist Biologist from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He joined the CRO industry in 2008 and has worked in clinical trials environments for the last 15 years, including 6 years in data management and 9 years as a SAS statistical programmer, primarily for Analysis Data Model (ADaM) datasets and Tables, Listings, and Figures (TLFs) for Phase II and III studies. He has experience with Functional Service Outsourcing (FSO) and Full Service Provider (FSP) models and has led statistical programming teams to deliver high-quality study results. What motivates me? Learning new things and I love what can be done with data.
He has spent the last 15 years in the clinical trials sector, including six years in data management and nine years as a SAS programmer, and is currently expanding his expertise by learning R and Python. His strengths lie in adopting new technologies and software, demonstrating a continuous pursuit of improvement and growth. Guevara is also actively engaging in learning Data Science to further enhance his skills.
Valeria Bonapersona is a Data Scientist with expertise in Pharma and Biotech, holding a PhD in Neuroscience and Statistics. She has a keen interest in problem-solving and a proactive approach to accomplishing tasks.
Her education and experience span a unique blend of statistics and biology, with a focus on experimental design and data integration. Bonapersona has served in roles such as a biologist, statistician, and data scientist, collaborating across disciplines with chemists, regulatory bodies, engineers, and programmers. While technically adept, her real strength lies in leveraging her technical knowledge, soft skills, and education in psychology to connect different disciplines.
Bonapersona’s diverse experiences, including working as a professional musician and living in five countries, have equipped her with the skills to build harmonious, culturally and disciplinarily diverse teams. This ability is evidenced by the consortia she established during her PhD and a high-throughput statistical project she initiated at Lilly. Her strategic approach has yielded significant achievements, including a comprehensive thesis over 400 pages long, numerous awards, and an extensive professional network.
She is open to discussions on data- and human-centric science, translational research from animals to humans, Decision Intelligence, and topics related to Ashtanga yoga and Advaita philosophy.
Michael F. Wagner, Ph.D., is an expert in Behavioral Science Research Methods, Applied Statistics, and Social, Personality, and Clinical Psychology Research. With 12 years of research experience, he uses behavioral science to solve business problems, improving client outcomes and investment returns.
Wagner offers a free 30-minute consultation on LinkedIn to discuss business challenges. He is ethically driven, adhering to professional standards while maintaining high-quality service. His experience includes managing research projects, recruiting and collecting data from numerous participants, publishing peer-reviewed articles, and producing annotated bibliographies for the United States Air Force.
His scholarly interests include social cognitive theories, personality, behaviors, and clinical psychology, particularly regarding aggression and self-perception. Wagner works with international clients, applying his research experience to develop effective remote work systems and business models. He has published on social memory, false memory, child abuse, and aggression, and has a keen interest in data analysis, RStudio, open-source, and open science, focusing on collaborative solutions for business and social issues.
Paolo Eusebi is a Biostatistician with a wealth of experience in clinical research, data analysis, and data visualization. As a Statistician, he boasts comprehensive expertise in biostatistics, epidemiology, and health services evaluation. Eusebi is open to consulting opportunities, bringing his broad skill set to the table.
His specialties include data management, data analysis, and overseeing research projects. Eusebi is well-versed in the main statistical software packages, including SAS, STATA, and R, which underpin his analytical approach in the field of biostatistics.
Pablo Orosco Joerger is a seasoned professional in Global Clinical Research and Pharmaceuticals, with a 40-year tenure spanning statistical programming, project management, and multilingual innovation. Trained as a statistician, his experience includes significant roles at TFS, SCIderm GmbH, medac GmbH, bioskin GmbH, and Novartis, reflecting his global expertise and understanding of healthcare challenges. Specializing in SAS statistical programming for two decades, Orosco Joerger has a comprehensive background in statistical analysis and has contributed to research across therapeutic areas like Cardiovascular, CNS, Dermatology, and Oncology. His project management skills complement his technical prowess, ensuring efficient and effective project completion. Fluent in German, Spanish, and English, he excels in international collaborations. Orosco Joerger seeks to use data for medical innovation and patient care, welcoming connections with professionals and organizations in clinical research.
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