UCSF Neurological Surgery faculty since 2007
 
Dr. Polley serves as a biostatistician for a broad array of the Brain Tumor Research Center (BTRC) research projects. She provides biostatistical input into the design, analysis, and reporting of the study results. Dr. Polley’s current research effort is focused on supporting the Brain Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant and the P01 project on Imaging and Tissue Biomarkers in the Treatment of Brain Tumors. The SPORE includes five translational research projects and represents the efforts of interdisciplinary teams of investigators from the Neuro-Oncology program of the UCSF Cancer Center. The P01 project aims to integrate advances in technological development of neuro-imaging and tissue biomarkers in the management of patients with brain tumors and to translate this knowledge to optimize delivery of novel agents. Dr. Polley’s research goal is to adapt efficient statistical methods to improve the design and conduct of human trials at BTRC to directly and accurately address the primary scientific questions. Sound statistical designs facilitate the timeliness of treatment regimen discovery and are economical in terms of sample size and time required to complete a study. Dr. Polley also provides consultation on statistical issues to trainees in the Department of Neurosurgery. These efforts include providing advice on literature review, formulation of key scientific questions, study design, analyses of data and interpretation of results. In conjunction with Dr. Susan Chang and Dr. Kathleen Lamborn, Dr. Polley leads sessions on Evidence-Based Medicine as a formal training forum to Neurosurgery trainees interested in pursuing a career in academic medicine. As a member for the Biostatistics Core of the UCSF Cancer Center, Dr. Polley also serves on the Cancer Center Protocol Review Committee (PRC).
 
Education, Training, and Previous Positions
 
1995: BA, Statistics, National Taipei University, Taiwan
1998: AM, Statistics, Harvard University
2001, 2005: MS, PhD, Biostatistics, Columbia University
2006-2007: Biostatistics Manager, Amgen Inc.
2007-present: Assistant Adjunct Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, UCSF
 
Selected Professional Memberships and Appointments
 
American Statistical Association
Society for Neuro-Oncology
 
Selected Honors and Awards
 
1994: Academic honor, National Taipei University, Taiwan
1995: Academic honor, National Taipei University, Taiwan
2001-2004: Merck & Co., Inc. Fellowship
2006: The Joseph L. Fleiss Memorial Prize in Biostatistics for an Outstanding Dissertation
 
Contact
 
Mei-Yin C. Polley PhD
University of California, San Francisco
Department of Neurological Surgery
400 Parnassus Ave., A808
San Francisco, CA 94143-00372
Phone: (415) 353-2136
Email: polleym@neurosurg.ucsf.edu
 
Selected Recent Publications
 
Polley MC, Cheung Y. Two-Stage Designs for Dose-Finding Trials with a Biologic Endpoint Using Stepwise Tests. Biometrics 2007, In Press.