Marek Kimmel

Marek Kimmel is a Professor of Statistics at Rice University and serves as the Rice Director of the Interinstitutional Graduate Program in Biostatistics. He holds the role of Associate Department Chair in the Department of Statistics. His research focuses on probabilistic modeling and statistical analysis in biosciences, particularly in cancer research and cell/molecular biology. Kimmel’s academic journey includes a Ph.D. and M.S. in Technical Sciences and Control Engineering from Silesian Technical University, Poland.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. Technical Sciences, Silesian Technical University, Poland
  • M.S. Control Engineering, Silesian Technical University, Poland

His research interests span Branching Processes, Statistical Genetics, and Molecular Evolution, with a focus on applying mathematical models to biological systems. His work bridges statistical theory and real-world applications in oncology and genetics. He has contributed to editorial roles at journals such as Bulletin of Mathematical Biology and Scientific Reports.

Notable achievements include being elected a Fellow of the American Statistical Association, AAAS, and Mathematical Society of Paris. His research has addressed topics like tumor evolution, clonal competition, and the interplay of inflammation and cancer progression.

Teaching areas include Probability and Statistics, Applied Stochastic Processes, and Advanced Bayesian Statistics. His interdisciplinary work integrates mathematical modeling with experimental data to address complex biological questions.

• Key Contributions:
  • Developed stochastic models for cancer cell dynamics (e.g., tug-of-war models)
  • Investigated genomic heterogeneity in cancers like bladder and lung cancer
  • Explored the role of inflammation in clonal hematopoiesis

His lab collaborates across disciplines to advance quantitative approaches in cancer research and biostatistics.