As a biostatistician and an epidemiologist, I believe data plays a crucial role in contextualizing every story.
By designing research studies that analyze observational and sometimes, interventional data, we can advocate for solutions to community health problems.
My research primarily focuses on lung cancer and sickle cell disease. We use large datasets to examine groups of people and identify disparities in healthcare access. For instance, we analyze data to determine if certain communities lack access to the care they need, the right physicians, facilities or medications.
At our core, we’re using numbers to help people access care networks to live longer, healthier lives.
Laying Roots in Memphis
I’m originally from Central Arkansas, but I moved to Memphis to work as a biostatistician at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I was honored to spend 11 years developing collaborations for sickle cell and cancer projects before transitioning into my current role as an associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health in the School of Public Health at the University of Memphis.
For the last decade, I’ve been able to work with many of the same partners while leading my own independent research. For example, a lot of our lung cancer work has been funded by the National Cancer Institute. We are also partnered with the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, a hub for all lung cancer research worldwide.
Throughout my research at the School of Public Health, I’ve also had the pleasure of working with many graduate students and a few PhD epidemiology students.
These students are eager to learn, engage and make a tangible difference.
“Memphis is a great place to live and an even better place to work because our research is so very collaborative.”
We focus on building their data and analytic skills, as well as understanding the context of their work. It’s important for them to see how their research can improve outcomes for people with chronic diseases and cancers.
While my research specifically focuses on lung cancer and sickle cell disease, I aim to build a broad methodological base for my students. I want them to understand that their skills can be applied to various settings with health data, not just limited to these fields.
By training students with a broad set of skills, they can go out into the world and tackle different health problems using data-driven approaches.
Making an Impact at Home
Memphis is a unique city when it comes to my field of work.
We have some of the highest cancer and sickle cell incidence and mortality rates in the country, so I’m thankful to be here to help conduct research and improve outcomes. There aren’t as many researchers in Memphis compared to the coasts, so we love being able to serve this city and support populations with disparities in access to optimal care.
Memphis is a great place to live and an even better place to work because our research is so very collaborative. We work together so we can ensure our patients, regardless of their location, have access to evidence-based care for their diseases.
I am grateful to be at a place like this, surrounded by a community that’s truly supportive of our work.
Research in a Minute is part of a series from the University of Memphis showcasing the innovative research being done by our faculty.
Watch Dr. Matthew Smeltzer’s Research in a Minute video below.
