Title: Director, Biostatistician
Company: Bristol-Myers Squibb
Location: Jackson, New Jersey, United States
Ayanbola Olajumoke Elegbe, PhD, Director and Biostatistician at Bristol-Myers Squibb, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Scientists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in biostatistics.
With an aptitude for mathematics and science, Dr. Elegbe initially dreamed of becoming a doctor but was held back by her fear of blood. She pondered her path until discovering biostatistics, which allowed her to use her mathematical skills in a medical setting without being in the hospital. This became an exciting opportunity for her and so she pursued a career as a biostatistician. Dr. Elegbe earned a Bachelor of Science in computer science and mathematics, summa cum laude, from Shaw University in 2001 and went on to serve as a graduate and professor’s assistant in managing clinical trials that same year. She had also been a program coordinator at North Carolina State University from 2001 to 2003, where she achieved a Master’s degree in statistics in 2003. Later, in 2007, she attained a Doctor of Philosophy in biostatistics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Dr. Elegbe joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2007 as a senior research biostatistician, a position she held through 2011. From 2011 to 2015, she excelled as a principal biostatistician until being promoted to director in 2015. Dr. Elegbe manages a cross-functional team of clinicians, programmers, and protocol managers, writes protocols, trains other statisticians, and works within a diversity inclusion effort. To remain abreast of her industry, she maintains membership with the American Association of Statisticians and is a former member of the Society of Women in Engineering. Dr. Elegbe attributes her success to having good mentors and managers and intends to mentor more women, particularly black women, in the field to encourage them to be statisticians as her career progresses.
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