Using eight cohorts from mass lung cancer screening trials, Wu will study a new statistical method to provide ideal screening time intervals. She will complete the study thanks to a  three-year, $400,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute.

Other UofL investigators include Shesh Rai, PhD, professor, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, and Albert Seow, MD, associate professor, Department of Radiology.

“This new method, along with new software we will develop, can be used to make informed decisions regarding future scheduling of screening exams for people with a history of negative screening results,” Wu said.

Wu says another goal is to apply the methods to other types of screening for chronic diseases.

UKZN students who have completed a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and wish to earn a Master of Science from UofL may complete up to nine credit hours from honors courses in Statistics at UKZN, and apply to UofL’s MS program in biostatistics. Accepted applicants would then complete 24 credit hours in two semesters at the University of Louisville, and graduate with a Master of Science in Biostatistics. Students may then choose to return to South Africa and complete the honors program in Statistics at UKZN.

“We are excited about building this relationship with the University of KwaZulu-Natal into an academic and cultural exchange in teaching, research and other activities,” said KB Kulasekera, PhD, chair and professor, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics. “A degree from the University of Louisville will make these students very marketable all over the world in industries such and pharmaceuticals, insurance and more.”

Kulasekera hopes to accept up to five qualified UKZN students for a start date of Fall 2017. He anticipates this will lead to other opportunities for similar arrangements in programs such as the PhD in Biostatistics.