Lindsay A. Renfro

Dr. Lindsay A. Renfro is a Professor of Research at the University of Southern California (USC) and the Associate Group Statistician for the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the world’s largest pediatric cancer research cooperative. Her primary research focuses on innovative clinical trial designs, including adaptive, Bayesian, and biomarker-driven approaches, as well as the development of prognostic calculators for pediatric cancers. She leads statistical efforts for COG’s Renal Tumors and Hodgkin Lymphoma Committees, guiding therapeutic and biology-driven trial design and analysis. Dr. Renfro also serves on NCI committees, including the Head and Neck Steering Committee and the Adult Late Phase Emphasis Central IRB. Her methodological expertise spans surrogate endpoint validation, master protocol applications, and patient-reported outcome integration in clinical trials. Notable awards include the Texas Woman’s University Hallmark Alumni Award (2018) and the Mayo Clinic KL2 Career Development Award (2015-2018).

Her research portfolio reflects a strong commitment to advancing precision medicine in pediatric oncology through rigorous statistical methodologies. Key contributions include optimizing trial designs for rare tumors, enhancing biomarker utilization, and improving survival prediction tools. Dr. Renfro actively mentors students and engages in educational outreach to non-statisticians, emphasizing the practical application of complex statistical concepts in clinical practice.

Awards include over 20 distinguished recognitions from institutions like the National Science Foundation and Baylor University, reflecting her sustained impact in biostatistics and oncology research. Her work consistently bridges methodological innovation with real-world clinical challenges, particularly in underserved pediatric cancer populations.