Special Lecture: GRM estimation: recommendations and implications for quantitative genetic analyses
Speaker: Bruce Weir, Emeritus Professor of Biostatistics, University of Washington; Auckland Statistics; Otago Mathematics and Statistics
Presentation: GRM estimation: recommendations and implications for quantitative genetic analyses
Abstract: Estimates of the Genetic Relatedness Matrix are widely used in quantitative genetic analyses including heritability estimation, inbreeding depression quantification and polygenic risk score prediction. We make some recommendations for estimation of the GRM: State that descent measures for pairs of alleles are relative to values in a reference set of allele pairs. , Use estimators that preserve descent measure rankings over different reference sets. , If genotypic data are available, avoid having to assume Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium by not reducing them to allelic data. , Recognize that allele frequencies do not need to be estimated. , Consider both inbreeding and kinship when estimating either one.
We find that many apparently-different estimators provide either…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Hans Rosling Center for Population Health (HRC). Campus room: HRC 145. Accessibility Contact: Deb Nelson, nelsod6@uw.edu, 206-685-9323. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Biostatistics Seminar: Xinwei Shen, PhD, Assistant Professor of Statistics, University of Washington
Presentation title and abstract coming soon.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB). Campus room: HSEB 235. Accessibility Contact: Deb Nelson, nelsod6@uw.edu, 206-685-9323. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Thursday, October 2, 2025, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
Joint Dinner: Departments of Biostatistics and Statistics
Welcome dinner for current Biostatistics and Statistics students and faculty. Details coming soon.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus room: TBD. Accessibility Contact: Vickie Graybeal, grabeal@uw.edu. Event Types: Student Activities. Special Events. Target Audience: For current Biostatistics and Statistics students and faculty only.
Friday, October 3, 2025, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Biostatistics Seminar: Manu Setty PhD, Assistant Professor, Basic Sciences Division & Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Presentation title and abstract coming soon.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB). Campus room: HSEB 235. Accessibility Contact: Deb Nelson, nelsod6@uw.edu, 206-685-9323. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Thursday, October 16, 2025, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
Biostatistics Seminar: Mariano Gabitto, PhD, Allen Institute for Brain Sciences, Affiliate Professor of Statistics, University of Washington
Presentation title and abstract coming soon.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB). Campus room: HSEB 235. Accessibility Contact: Deb Nelson, nelsod6@uw.edu, 206-685-9323. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Thursday, October 23, 2025, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
UW Biostatistics & Fred Hutch Cancer Center Joint Faculty Retreat
This all-day in person event will explore opportunities to connect, learn, plan and collaborate.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture. Accessibility Contact: Deb Nelson, nelsod6@uw.edu, 206-685-9323. Event Types: Meetings.
Thursday, October 30, 2025, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Biostatistics Seminar: Dannica Sutherland, PhD, Assistant Professor, Computer Science, The University of British Columbia
Presentation title and abstract coming soon.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB). Campus room: HSEB 235. Accessibility Contact: Deb Nelson, nelsod6@uw.edu, 206-685-9323. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Thursday, November 6, 2025, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
Seventh Seattle Symposium in Biostatistics - Online Short Courses
The Seattle Symposium in Biostatistics is a series of symposia convened every five years by the University of Washington Department of Biostatistics. The event brings together preeminent experts and thought leaders in biostatistics, data science, clinical medicine, and public health to discuss pressing scientific issues. The Symposium is targeted toward scientists in industry, regulatory agencies, and academic centers.
The Seventh Seattle Symposium will be held online Saturday, November 22 through Tuesday, November 25.
Select short courses will be offered prior to the Symposium on Saturday, November 15 and Sunday November 16.
Details regarding courses offered, featured speakers and panelists, and other information will be posted in the coming weeks.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus room: Online. Accessibility Contact: Deb Nelson, nelsod6@uw.edu, 206-685-9323. Event Types: Conferences. Workshops.
Saturday, November 15, 2025, 8:00 AM – Sunday, November 16, 2025, 3:00 PM.
For more info visit www.biostat.washington.edu. Biostatistics Seminar: Saori Sakaue, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Genome Sciences University of Washington
Presentation title and abstract coming soon.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB). Campus room: HSEB 235. Accessibility Contact: Deb Nelson, nelsod6@uw.edu, 206-685-9323. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Thursday, November 20, 2025, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
Seventh Seattle Symposium in Biostatistics - Online
The Seattle Symposium in Biostatistics is a series of symposia convened every five years by the University of Washington Department of Biostatistics. The event brings together preeminent experts and thought leaders in biostatistics, data science, clinical medicine, and public health to discuss pressing scientific issues. The Symposium is targeted toward scientists in industry, regulatory agencies, and academic centers.
The Seventh Seattle Symposium will be held online Saturday, November 22 through Tuesday, November 25.
Select short courses will be offered prior to the Symposium on Saturday, November 15 and Sunday November 16.
Details regarding courses offered, featured speakers and panelists, and other information will be posted in the coming weeks.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus room: Online. Accessibility Contact: Deb Nelson, nelsod6@uw.edu, 206-685-9323. Event Types: Conferences.
Saturday, November 22, 2025, 9:00 AM – Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 1:00 AM.
For more info visit www.biostat.washington.edu. Biostatistics Seminar: William DeWitt, PhD, Assistant Professor, Genome Sciences, University of Washington
Presentation title and abstract coming soon.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB). Campus room: HSEB 235. Accessibility Contact: Deb Nelson, nelsod6@uw.edu, 206-685-9323. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Thursday, December 4, 2025, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM.