Faculty Profile

Kelley Kidwell

Kelley M. Kidwell, PhD

  • Professor, Biostatistics
  • Associate Chair for Academic Affairs, Biostatistics

Dr. Kidwell is interested in the design and analysis of clinical trials. Her methodological work centers on better matching the way in which we practice medicine and public health (critical decisions over time tailored to individuals) to the way in which we experimentally study it. Dr. Kidwell's methods work has primarily focused on the design and analysis of sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trials (SMARTs), in standard or large size trials for treating common diseases and disorders, and in small samples or for treating rare diseases. Collaboratively, Dr. Kidwell aims to improve public health science by bridging the gap between researchers, the biostatistical methods needed and applied to studies, and the communication of results. Dr. Kidwell is involved in the design and analysis of many trials with investigators across the university in settings such as mental health, chronic pain, substance use, and oncology. Her methods and collaborative work influences clinical trial statistical theory and practice and hopefully is improving people's lives through new designs and efficient treatment estimates.

  • PhD, Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, 2012
  • BS, Mathematics, Bucknell University, 2007

Research Interests:
Clinical trial design and analysis with applications to chronic, rare and/or mental health diseases and disorders.

Research Projects:
Kidwell and Braun hold a contract with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop design and methods to share information across trial stages to compare low and high dose effects to placebo in a small sample, sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial (snSMART).

Kidwell and Braun hold a contract with the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Initiative (PCORI) to develop design and methods to incorporate patient preferences into SMART design.

Kidwell has SMART designs in the field in the settings of risky behaviors in adolescents (PI Walton), insomnia (PI Drake), lower back pain (PI Clauw/Hasset), suicide prevention (PI Czyz), implementation of a preoperative optimization program (PI Telem), reducing alcohol use after surgery (PI Fernandez), and improving access and treatment for individuals with alcohol use disorders (PI Bonar/Lin).

M4164 SPH II
1415 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Email: [email protected]
Office: 734-764-6724

For media inquiries: [email protected]

Areas of Expertise: Biostatistics,  Cancer,  Clinical Trials,  Mental Health