Jeff Leek, PhD

Dr. Jeff Leek serves as the Chief Data Officer, Vice President, and J Orin Edson Foundation Chair of Biostatistics in Public Health Sciences at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Previously, he was a professor of Biostatistics and Oncology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and co-director of the Johns Hopkins Data Science Lab. He earned his PhD in Biostatistics from the University of Washington and is known for his significant contributions to genomic data analysis and statistical methods for personalized medicine. His research has advanced our understanding of molecular mechanisms related to brain development, stem cell self-renewal, and immune responses to trauma, with findings published in top scientific journals such as Nature and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Leek developed a highly acclaimed Data Analysis course for Biostatistics students at Johns Hopkins, which has consistently received teaching excellence awards. He is also recognized for his efforts in creating educational initiatives that leverage data science for public health and economic development, including massive open online courses that have engaged millions worldwide.