Duke University
presents:
David Katz
Departments of Biomedical Engineering and
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Duke University
"Drawing Inferences about Fertility from
Biomarker Data"
Abstract: Generation of inferences about fertility from data on 'biomarkers' has many applications. Clinical prognosis of the probability of conception and choice of therapy can be guided by physiological data from both the male and female. Perturbations in biomarkers can be used to estimate changes in fertility, e.g. after exposures to environmental or occupational hazards. Indeed, development of useful models of reproductive risk assessment (after exposure) is considered an important but unsolved contemporary problem. In recent years, new technology has been implemented to create a new generation of male and female biomarkers. However, the development of inferences about fertility and its perturbations from data on these new biomarkers has not kept pace with the improved technology. The statistical methods which are commonly employed tend to be suboptimal in two respects: (1) they do not adequately characterize the biological processes being measured; and (2) they employ models of fertility that are not in accord with basic biological knowledge or sometimes even probabilistic and statistical logic. This seminar will address the current state of knowledge in the field, and potential strategies for developing a new generation of inference generating methods relating biomarkers and fertility. Concepts will be illustrated with reference to male biomarker data on sperm quality and quantity.
Friday, January 26, 1996
11:45 am - 12:45 pm
130 Sociology/Psychology Building Any questions concerning the seminar may be addressed to Cheryl McGhee @[919] 684-8029, e-mail cheryl@stat.duke.edu, or finger seminar@stat.duke.edu