Fall 2025 Professional Development Series
Department of Statistics and Data Science 2025-2026 Professional Development Series - Fall 2025
Professional Development Series talks are intended for undergraduate students, MS graduate students, and PhD graduate students but are open to Northwestern faculty and staff as well.
statistical careers in the pharmaceutical industry
Friday, October 3, 2025
Talk Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Networking Reception: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Ruan Conference Room – lower level (Chambers Hall 600 Foster Street)
Speaker: Dong Xi, Statistical Advisor, Biostatistics, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (PhD in Statistics, 2013, Northwestern University)
Abstract: This talk aims to provide an overview of career development in the pharmaceutical industry as a statistician. Examples will be shared to illustrate how statisticians make impacts in drug development and contribute to innovation. Critical skills will be highlighted to thrive in a cross-functional setting. This talk will also delve into the process of finding internships and permanent positions. Tips will be offered to equip students with essential knowledge to launch their careers in the pharmaceuticals industry.
Dr. Dong Xi is currently a Statistical Advisor in the Biometrics department at Gilead Sciences, Inc. He is a member of the Biostatistics Innovation Group. Prior to joining Gilead, he was a statistician in the Statistical Methodology group at Novartis. He has supported development and implementation of innovative statistical methodologies in multiple comparisons, dose finding, group sequential designs, estimands and causal inference. He is an associate editor of Statistics in Biopharmaceutical Research.
This event will be in person on Northwestern's Evanston campus at the location listed above.
Registration for this event is required by Monday, September 29.