Li Zhu

Areas of Expertise:

  • Spatial Statistics, Bayesian Statistics, Hierarchical Modeling
  • Disease Mapping
  • Geographic Information Sciences

Li Zhu joined the Surveillance Research Program (SRP) in August 2009 as a Spatial Statistician in the Statistical Research and Applications Branch (SRAB). Dr. Zhu's work includes various research projects that involve spatial statistics, Bayesian statistics, generalized linear mixed models, as well as the application of these methods in public health arenas. Her methodological research involves biostatistical applications in spatial disease mapping, longitudinal studies, and the development of hierarchical Bayesian methods in spatial-temporal modeling with an emphasis on techniques that take advantage of modern computing power. At SRAB, Dr. Zhu has been working on projects that combine advanced statistical modeling and computing with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools for the purpose of understanding the impact of cancer control interventions and geographic or spatial-temporal, economic, social, behavioral, and other factors on the cancer burden.

Dr. Zhu received a Doctor of Philosophy and Master's degree in biostatistics from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, a Master's degree in geography from Beijing Normal University, and a bachelor's degree in geography from Peking University in China.

Prior to working at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Dr. Zhu served as a tenured associate professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center, in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the School of Rural Public Health.

Last Updated: 30 Apr, 2021