Shane Pankratz, Ph.D.

My research interests are primarily focused on the analysis of data from observational (epidemioligical) studies. Within this arena, I am primarily interested in three broad areas: statistical genetics, longitidinal data analysis and sample vs. population comparisons.

My interest in statistical genetics is the most long-standing of my research interests. My primary focus here is in genetic association studies. I have done research into methods for linkage disequilibrium mapping, and am actively engaged in studying methods for analyzing data from genetic association studies of large numbers of SNPs. In addition to statistical genetics work in this area, I collaborate with a number of groups in looking at genetic associations with outcomes of interest. The primary collaborations I have in this area are in breast cancer (and breast density), ovarian cancer and vaccine research.

My other research interests are primarily motivated by my collaborative work. My interest in longitudinal data analysis is motivated by work in breast cancer (and benign breast disease) and Alzheimers Disease. My interest in methods to compare observed vs. population-expected outcomes arises in work with benign breast disease.