Division of Biostatistics and Computational Biology

This division is among one of many research support teams at the College of Dentistry that has been integral to the exponential growth in dental research that we are currently seeing at the college. This team specializes in a wide range of data analysis techniques including traditional biostatistical methods, bioinformatics, machine learning, analysis of genetic sequencing data, clinical trial design, and data visualization.

The division is comprised of the following individuals:

Derek Smith Portrait

Derek K. Smith, DDS, MPH, PhD

Division Director & Associate Professor

Huojun Cao

Jun Cao, MS, PhD

Associate Professor, Endodontics

Shareef Dabdoub

Shareef Dabdoub, PhD

Assistant Professor, Periodontics

Fang Qian

Fang Qian, PhD, MA, MPhil

Senior Scientist and Adjunct Faculty

Wei Shi

Wei Shi, MS

Biostatistician

Erliang Zeng

Erliang Zeng, MS, PhD

Associate Professor, Preventive & Community Dentistry

In addition to the full-time faculty and staff, several graduate research assistants in biostatistics and bioinformatics graduate programs work in the division. 

For current University of Iowa College of Dentistry faculty, staff, and students, please see Intradent for more information on this division.

Biostatistics and Computational Biology Updates

Derek Smith

Derek Smith Named Director of Biostatistics and Computational Biology

Wednesday, September 24, 2025
The College of Dentistry welcomes Derek Smith as Director of the Division of Biostatistics and Computational Biology and associate professor in the Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry. Smith’s research applies statistical methods to oral health and cancer care. He brings extensive experience in clinical research, graduate education, and national guideline development to his new role.
Biostatistics Faculty and Staff

Optimizing Your Research: Collaborating with the Division of Biostatistics and Computational Biology

Friday, February 7, 2025
The Division of Biostatistics and Computational Biology at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry is a valuable resource for researchers seeking to enhance the quality and efficiency of their studies so that they are well-designed, data-driven, and powerful.
Shareef Dabdoub

University of Iowa Researcher Receives NIH Grant to Unlock Secrets of the Oral Virome

Thursday, August 15, 2024
A University of Iowa researcher Dr. Shareef Dabdoub has been awarded a grant (R03) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) to investigate the complex role of viruses in oral health and disease. The grant, totaling $311,000, will support two years of research.
Erliang Zeng

Iowa Computational Biology Researcher Receives USDA Grant to Study Drought Resistance in Plants

Thursday, December 2, 2021
A particular species of grass that is common across the Great Plains in the United States has many genetically different strains. These strains respond differently to drought and related environmental challenges, and Erliang Zeng, associate professor in the Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, is working with a biologist at Kansas State University, to develop computational modeling and bioinformatic tools for data analysis to identify drought-resistant genes and their patterns in strains of the grass. The overall aim of the research is to improve our understanding of the mechanism about how organisms adapt to severe conditions such as drought and recommend traits for further genetic development.
Huojun Cao

NIH Awards Huojun Cao a 2-year Grant for Over $400K

Friday, September 4, 2020
The National Institutes of Health awarded Dr. Huojun Cao, assistant professor in the Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research and the Department of Endodontics, a 2-year grant for his project, “Identification of Master Transcription Factors of Dental Epithelial Stem Cell by Computational Method.”