This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony for UNMC’s 2015 Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator Award recipients.
The Distinguished Scientist Award
The Distinguished Scientist Award — which is sponsored by the chancellor — recognizes researchers who have been among the most productive scientists in the country during the past five years.
- Name: Kendra Schmid, Ph.D.
- Title: Associate professor of biostatistics
- Joined UNMC: 2007
- Hometown: Hershey, Neb.
Research focus:
Biostatistics, shape analysis.
Describe your research briefly in layman’s terms.
As a biostatistician, much of my work involves collaboration with researchers’ design and analysis of research studies. The studies can range from multi-center clinical trials to observational studies and surveys. My statistical methodology interest is in statistical shape analysis.
How does your research contribute to science and/or health care?
The studies I work on involve research from both the prevention and treatment side of health care. No matter the type of study or the objective, they all need proper design considerations and appropriate statistical methods applied to the data.
What is the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you, professional or personal?
“Achieving a goal is 10 percent talent and 90 percent hard work.” I’m not sure if I completely agree with the breakdown, but I have thought about this often and it helps to remember that no matter the goal, hard work will go a long way towards accomplishing it.
List three things few people know about you.
- I have three children, ages 15, 13, and 6.
- My favorite candy is the Reese’s peanut butter cup eggs that only come out around Easter.
- I love playing (winning) fantasy baseball.
Kudos to a fine investigator who is also a fine teacher.