Biography - Leon F. Burmeister, MS, PhD

Dr. Burmeister is the associate dean for research and academic affairs in the University of Iowa College of Public Health. Dr. Burmeister is nationally well-known in the field of biostatistics. Prior to his current appointment as associate dean, he served as interim head of the former UI Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health.

Dr. Burmeister first came to The University of Iowa as an instructor in 1969. He joined the faculty in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health as an assistant professor in 1972, became an associate professor in 1977, and a full professor 1982. He is currently a professor in the Department of Biostatistics.

A native of Davenport, Iowa, Dr. Burmeister received a bachelor’s degree (1964), a master’s degree (1966), and PhD (1972) in statistics from Iowa State University. He currently teaches the following biostatistics courses: Introduction to Biostatistics, Introduction to the Design of Sample Surveys, and Intermediate Design of Sample Surveys. He is a member of various state and national organizations, including the American Statistical Association, Biometric Society, American Public Health Association, Society for Epidemiological Research, and Society for Clinical Trials. He has served in the capacity of associate editor for the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology since 1999.

Dr. Burmeister’s areas of research interest include theory of the design of sample surveys, epidemiology of cancer deaths in Iowa farmers, drinking water quality in rural Iowa, epidemiology of occupational health, biostatistical methods in clinical research, surveillance of respiratory illnesses and accidents in Iowa residents, and effective pesticide use in Iowa farmers.