Peter Gilbert

Peter Gilbert, PhD is a Professor of Biostatistics in the Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Epidemiology Program at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and a Research Professor of Biostatistics at the University of Washington. He is globally recognized for pioneering "sieve analysis," a statistical framework that evaluates how vaccine efficacy depends on immune responses and pathogen genetics.

Education

• PhD in Biostatistics, University of Washington, 1996
• MS in Biostatistics, University of Washington, 1994
• BS in Mathematics, University of Washington, 1992

Research & Focus

Dr. Gilbert leads the Statistical Data Management Center for the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) and the Coronavirus Prevention Network, overseeing statistical design and analysis of phase 2b/3 trials for HIV, SARS-CoV-2, dengue, and malaria vaccines. His lab advances methods in:

• Vaccine efficacy trial design and analysis
• Sieve analysis to link viral genetics to vaccine protection
• Causal inference and surrogate endpoint evaluation
• Survival analysis and post-infection vaccine effects

Scientific Awards

• Marvin Zelen Leadership Award in Statistical Science (2025)

Teaching & Mentorship

He has taught graduate modules on "Evaluating Vaccine Efficacy" and "Immune Correlates of Vaccine-Induced Protection" through the University of Washington Summer Institute in Statistics and Modeling for Infectious Diseases, and enjoys mentoring biostatistics graduate students.

Laboratory & Collaborations

Dr. Gilbert directs the Gilbert Group at Fred Hutch, an interdisciplinary team embedded within the Translational Data Science Integrated Research Center (TDS IRC). The group collaborates with immunologists, virologists, and clinicians across HVTN, the Coronavirus Prevention Network, and global health initiatives.