2027 BSSC Keynote Speakers
Dr. Ying Yuan
Professor, Bettyann Asche Murray
Topic: From Data to Decisions: Unlocking the Power of Bayesian Methods in Drug Development
Dr. Ying Yuan is the Bettyann Asche Murray Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Yuan is internationally renowned for his pioneering research in innovative Bayesian adaptive designs.
The designs and software developed by Dr. Yuan’s lab (www.trialdesign.org) have been widely adopted by medical research institutes and pharmaceutical companies. Among these, the BOIN (Bayesian Optimal Interval) design, developed by Dr. Yuan’s team, is a groundbreaking oncology dose-finding method recognized by the FDA as a fit-for-purpose drug development tool. The BOP2 (Bayesian Optimal Phase 2) design is widely used for efficacy and toxicity monitoring in early phase trials. Dr. Yuan serves on the FDA Advisory Committee for Genetic Metabolic Diseases and has received two FDA Broad Agency Announcement Awards to collaborate with the agency on dose optimization and Bayesian methodology for pediatric and rare disease trials.
Dr. Li Wang, PhD
Chief AI and Scientific Officer at Cytel
Topic: Statistical Challenges and Opportunities in AI Agentic Era
Li Wang, PhD, is the Chief AI and Scientific Officer at Cytel. He is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and leads the strategy, prioritization, development, and execution of Cytel’s enterprise AI and scientific innovation roadmap, advancing innovation and AI-enabled solutions to deliver meaningful impact for patients.
Prior to joining Cytel, Li held leadership roles of increasing responsibility at AbbVie, most recently serving as Head of Statistical Innovation. There, he led enterprise Clinical Trial Innovation AI/ML capabilities and built multidisciplinary teams focused on advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and innovative trial design across therapeutic areas. His work delivered measurable impact in clinical development, including accelerating decision-making, increasing probability of success, reducing trial size and duration.
He co-leads now the ASA Biopharma Section Scientific Working Group on “Statistical Perspectives on AI/ML in Pharmaceutical Product Development.” And he has served on the board of directors and as an advisor to multiple nonprofit organizations, including ICSA, BBSW and AI4Purposes.
Li has contributed to the successful development and approval of several blockbuster drugs in AbbVie and BMS, including Eliquis, Rinvoq, and Onglyza, helping improve the lives of millions of patients every day. He is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, with a focus on Healthcare Leadership.