In this latest edition of the Career Perspectives series, we are excited to introduce our readers to Deqing Pei, Associate Director Biostatistics in the Functional Service Provider (FSP) department at Cytel.

Can you tell us about your professional journey and what motivated you to pursue a career in biostatistics?

I came to the U.S. to pursue a career as a plant geneticist. During my graduate studies, one of the most valuable tools I used daily to interpret the data generated during experiments was statistics software. Without a thorough understanding of statistics, I sometimes had difficulty interpreting the results. That’s why I decided to dive into more statistics classes and graduated with a double major in Genetics and Statistics. I chose to pursue a career in biostatistics because the work I do in this field helps develop potentially life-changing treatments for patients a few years down the line.

With more than 20 years of experience in academia and research, transitioning to a role at Cytel must have brought about significant changes. What prompted your transition from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to Cytel?

My 20 years of experience in academia and research at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital helped me acquire many valuable skills and knowledge, which I treasure to this day. Working for Cytel gives me the opportunity to put these skills into practice on a variety of diverse and dynamic projects in the industry.

Can you share some of the key differences you observed when you joined Cytel?

One of the main differences is that at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we focused on publishing results from the clinical trials in top scientific journals. We didn’t have strong programmer support, so we would act both as a biostatistician and a statistical programmer. At Cytel, I can focus more on my work as a biostatistician with the support of my colleagues in programming.

What is your role at Cytel and what do you like best about it?

I’m an Associate Director of Biostatistics in the FSP team at Cytel, which means that I work within a client’s team. I’ve been assigned to one of the Top 20 Pharma companies, and what I like best about my work is that I can contribute to their studies while working alongside multi-functional teams from both the sponsor and external vendors.

You have co-authored more than 127 papers in top journals such as NEJM, JAMA, NATURE, and others. What advice would you give to biostatisticians looking to publish their research?

The papers I published while working at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are the result of multiple functions and teams working together. My advice is that we need to focus on thoroughly understanding the data, helping the clinical team to interpret results correctly, and ensuring the integrity and quality of the clinical trial data. This enables researchers to draw valid conclusions and make evidence-based decisions for publication.

Could you describe some of the advanced statistical methods you have employed in your projects and explain their significance?

In my current position with a sponsor, I am leading two studies. The statistical methods applied in both studies are not incredibly advanced, however the complexity lies in other aspects: the protocol, the operations, and the potential for unanticipated change, requiring flexibility to be able to adapt to variability and change.

Have you worked on any Bayesian or other non-traditional designs? What do you think is the future of Bayesian adaptive designs?

I have not had the opportunity to work on Bayesian or other non-traditional designs. However, I do believe Bayesian adaptive designs offer a flexible and efficient framework for conducting clinical trials and may provide results that are more useful and natural to interpret for clinicians, compared to traditional approaches.

How do you stay updated with the latest advancements in biostatistics and apply them to your projects?

In my previous function, I regularly attended workshops, webinars, and conferences to learn about new developments in the field. Now, I don’t have many of the same opportunities anymore. I usually try to attend seminars held by the client I am working with, and regularly read peer-reviewed journals to stay abreast of new methodologies and applications.

What qualities and skills (soft/technical) do you believe are essential for someone to succeed in a biostatistics role at Cytel?

As a biostatistician at Cytel, you need to be able to understand the nuances of working with databases, data sources, and data collection tools, including their advantages and limitations in answering clinical and scientific questions. You also need strong skills in writing code to manage data as well as be able to implement statistical methods using accurate and efficient coding practices. Additionally, you must be able to conduct a review of literature and background information to identify gaps in scientific knowledge in order to motivate a given project. Motivation actually plays a large role, as you might need to learn and implement unfamiliar statistical methods for a project.

What advice would you give to young professionals considering a career in biostatistics and clinical research?

If you like math and biology and want to make a difference in the world, then biostatistics is a rewarding career with lots of opportunities.

As an employee who works full-time from home, what are your strategies to keep a healthy work-life balance? Do you feel supported in this by Cytel?

I try to make time to enjoy my hobby as an amateur photographer and to work in the garden. These activities help me stay healthy and re-charged, so I can complete my day-to-day work without stress.

Finally, what are your main interests outside of work?

I dream of becoming a wedding photographer after retirement!

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