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Debashis Ghosh receives Boston University Biostatistics award
The award recognizes contributions to biostatistics research, teaching and mentorship, including work in cancer genomics and machine learning.
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Malvika Choudhary - Mon, 25, May 2026
- 17:56 EDT
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Scarlett Bellamy, right, chair and professor of biostatistics at SPH, presents Debashis Ghosh with the 2026 L. Adrienne Cupples Award. Photo: Megan Jones / Boston University
Indian American professor Debashis Ghosh received the 2026 L. Adrienne Cupples Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Service in Biostatistics.
The award is presented annually by the Department of Biostatistics at Boston University School of Public Health to recognize a biostatistician whose academic contributions reflect the legacy of late professor L. Adrienne Cupples.
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The award committee cited Ghosh’s mentorship of doctoral and post-doctoral students, contributions to scientific and statistical research, and applications of his work in cancer genomics, pediatric autoimmune disease, and healthy aging.
Ghosh, a faculty member in the Department of Biostatistics and Informatics at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, accepted the award on April 3 and delivered a presentation titled “Being a Statistician in the Age of AI,” discussing the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence in research and society.
Speaking about artificial intelligence, Ghosh said he remains cautious about its broader societal use. “I’m using it, but [I’m] still in the exploration stage of seeing how it can help,” he said. “As a tool for automating systems and their use in broader society, this is probably [what] I’m most concerned about. I see a lot of ways in which things could go wrong.”
According to University Press, reflecting on Cupples’ legacy, Ghosh said in his speech, “When I started in the 90s, I felt like there were often [biostatistics] groups and stat genetics groups that were separate. What was impressive about [Cupples] is that she really built this bridge between stat genetics and genetic epidemiology,” Ghosh said. “One of the things that has been exciting to watch has been seeing the lines and boundaries blur.”
“I found this quote from [Cupples’] in memoriam article saying she was ‘kind, empathetic, passionate’ and I am at that point in my career where I now am thinking more about the end than the beginning and I’d really like to be remembered in the same way,” he added.
Ghosh has been a professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus for more than a decade and previously served as chair of the Department of Biostatistics and Informatics until 2024. Earlier in his career, he held faculty appointments at Penn State University and University of Michigan.
His research focuses on statistical machine learning, causal modeling, and biomarker evaluation, particularly in cancer-related applications. At Colorado, he has also collaborated on studies involving COVID-19 modeling, aging populations, minority health, and real-world evidence generation.
Ghosh is an elected Fellow of the American Statistical Association and the Institute of Mathematical Statistics. His honors include awards from the International Indian Statistical Association, the American Public Health Association, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the 2025 WNAR Outstanding Impact Award and Lectureship.
He earned a PhD in biostatistics from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Rice University.
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