COMMUNITY LECTURESHIP SERIES
Statisticians to discuss colon cancer at community lecture
Published April 2018
Colon cancer is the second most deadly cancer in the United States, despite there being a proven and effective screening process for the disease.
Michelle Mahoney and Douglas Mahoney, biostatisticians at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, have comprehensively studied colon cancer from early detection to clinical trials of new therapy drugs. They will share some of their research at the annual community lecture.
The pair’s presentation is called “The Fight Against Colon Cancer – Screening and Treatment.” It is scheduled for Monday, April 30, at 7 p.m. at the Fargo Theatre.
The presentation will address some of the reasons why an estimated 30 to 40 percent of the United States hasn’t been screened or isn’t up to date on their colonoscopy screening. They will discuss new, accurate and easy screening tests, the most effective current treatments as well as the future of colon cancer research.
Michelle Mahoney is a statistician and assistant professor of biostatistics at the Mayo Clinic. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1990 and master’s degree in applied statistics from NDSU in 1994.
Michelle Mahoney was a graduate teaching assistant in the statistics department at NDSU from 1990-94.
She earned the Merit Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology in 1998.
Douglas Mahoney also is a statistician at the Mayo Clinic. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1991 and a master’s degree in applied statistics in 1993 from NDSU.
Douglas Mahoney has helped write more than 140 peer-reviewed articles and is a co-inventor of a new screening test for colorectal cancer called Cologuard.
The annual community lecture aims to introduce nationally recognized scientists to the broader community. Through the years, presenters have explained their science in ways various age groups, from junior high students to older adults engaged in lifelong learning, can understand and appreciate.
The event is sponsored by NDSU’s College of Science and Mathematics.
