2010 Summer Program on Semiparametric Bayesian Inference: Applications in Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
July 12-23, 2010

Research Foci
Description of Activities
Application
Further Information

Research Foci

Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of the time course of drug concentration resulting from a particular dosing regimen. PK is often studied in conjunction with pharmacodynamics (PD). PD explores what the drug does to the body, i.e., the relationship of drug concentrations and a resulting pharmcological effect. Pharmacogenetics (PGx) studies the genetic variation that determines differing response to drugs. Understanding the PK, PD and PGx of a drug is important for evaluating efficacy and determining how best to use such agents clinically.

Hierarchical models have allowed great progress in statistical inference in many application areas. Hierarchical models for PK and PD data that allow borrowing of strength across a patient population are known as population PK/PD models. These models have allowed investigators to learn about important sources of variation in drug absorption, disposition, metabolism, and excretion, allowing the researchers to begin to tailor drug therapy to individuals. Newer Bayesian non-parametric population models and semi-parametric models offer the promise of individualizing therapy and discovering subgroups among patients even further, by freeing modelers from restrictive assumptions about underlying distributions of key parameters across the population. The purpose of this program is to bring together a mix of experts in PK and PD modeling, non-parametric Bayesian inference, and computation.

The aims of the program and workshop are (i) to identify the critical new developments of inference methods for PK and PD data; (ii) to determine open challenges; and (iii) to establish inference for PK and PD as an important motivating application area of non-parametric Bayes. We believe that (iii) is particularly important for new and promising researchers.

The Program Leaders Committee is currently comprised of Gary Rosner and Peter Mueller (M.D. Anderson Cancer Center). A program committee of five area experts will oversee the scheduling of the first week workshop program.

Description of Activities

The program will begin with a week of tutorials and workshop activities. There will be extended, tutorial-style talks during morning sessions, and contributed and invited research talks during the afternoons. Afternoon talks will be selected to complement topics covered in the morning sessions.

At the end of the first week workshop research working groups will be formed. The working groups will tackle particular research problems in the area. Working group activities can include workshop-style presentations by group members to stimulate discussion on specific issues. Potential themes for these working groups and workshop sessions include

• semi-parametric population PK/PD models
• dose individualization
• probability models for PK/PGx networks
• joint inference for PK and PD data

Application

Interested individuals should apply, using the ON-LINE APPLICATION FORM. This form also includes the application for financial support. You will be notified as soon as possible after your application if your participation will be possible; regrettably, limited seating will preclude acceptance of all applications.

We especially encourage junior researchers, including advanced graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to participate.

The application/registration deadline is Friday, July 2, 2010.

Note, however, that capacity might be reached before this deadline. Also, any application that requests support for expenses should typically be submitted at least 6 weeks in advance of the workshop.

In order to ensure your application is correct, we ask that you:

• refresh/reload the application/registration page to ensure you have all updates

• type in your information (cutting and pasting will distort the information we receive)

• make any clarifications/corrections, in the Special Requests section

• click the submit button only once

Please make reservations at the Radisson RTP as soon as possible. The SAMSI room block and rate ($109) is effective until July 2, 2010. After this date, there is no guarantee a room will be available. If you have a change in plans, individual room reservations must be cancelled 72 hours prior to arrival. Check-in is at 3:00 PM; check-out is 12:00 noon.

Further Information

For additional information about the program, send an email to [email protected].

Please send a letter describing your interest, along with a vita (if a new researcher), to the indicated e-mail address.

Entire site © 2001-2010, Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute. All Rights Reserved.