Dr. Yize Zhao Receives Award for Emerging Women Leaders in Data Science

Dr. Yize Zhao, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH),has received the IMS Thelma and Marvin Zelen Emerging Women Leaders in Data Science Award for her fundamental contributions to analytical methods and applications in medical imaging, neuroscience, psychiatry, and mental health.

The award is given out annually by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics to three women data scientists who are within 10 years of having completed their PhD. It acknowledges the achievements of scientists who have made substantial contributions to data science and demonstrated leadership. The award consists of a plaque, a citation, and a cash honorarium of $2,500.

“Recognizing the contributions of women researchers in data science is imperative as it advances diversity, equality, and inclusion, fuels innovation, inspires future generations, and enables us to tap into a wide range of talent and perspectives for tackling intricate, data-driven problems, ultimately yielding benefits for the field and society at large.” the Institute said about the award.

The Institute of Mathematical Statistics is an international professional and scholarly society devoted to the development, dissemination, and application of statistics and probability. The Institute currently has about 4,000 members in all parts of the world.

Said Dr. Zhao: “I am truly honored to receive this award. This recognition acknowledges the work I’m passionate about and inspires me to continue exploring new ideas and challenges in data science. I’m also very grateful for the support and opportunities that have shaped my journey, and this award motivates me to keep growing and contributing to the scientific community.”

Dr. Zhao’s research focuses on developing advanced statistical and artificial intelligence (AI) methods to analyze complex data with a particular emphasis on medical imaging and its integration with biomedical and real-world data.

“A key aspect of my work is designing analytical methods that effectively incorporate domain knowledge—such as clinician’s experience, biological information, or any other findings from prior scientific studies—along with biological and clinical information to uncover complex relationships within data,” Dr. Zhao said. “This has enhanced the reliability and interpretability of insights, ultimately supporting more informed decision-making in real-world settings.”

Her most recent research includes analytical method development and applications on brain network analyses, multimodal imaging modeling, imaging genetics, and the integration of biomedical data with electronic health record data. Dr. Zhao has received numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that support her research.

“Yize is an invaluable colleague,” said Dr. Shuangge Steven Ma, PhD, professor and biostatistics department chair. “Her contributions go well beyond the Biostatistics Department, YSPH, and Yale. “She has made exceptional contributions in neuroimaging data analysis, Bayesian techniques, and numerous other fields. Her achievements highlight our significant advancements in public health data science. Furthermore, her dedication to mentorship, professional service, and leadership has made her a role model for the next generation of data scientists.”