Retirement Announcement: Dr. Neil Klar
After a distinguished career spanning decades in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University, Dr. Neil Klar, Associate Professor will be retiring. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Klar has been instrumental in advancing the fields of epidemiology and biostatistics through his research and dedicated teaching.
Dr. Klar's journey began with a passion for data analysis during his undergraduate studies in Environmental Biology and Ecology at McGill University. His interest in epidemiology was sparked during a research project on parasitic infections among Vietnamese immigrants, which eventually led him to pursue a master's degree in cancer epidemiology and later a second master's degree in statistics at Waterloo.
Joining Western University in 1987, Dr. Klar completed his PhD in Epidemiology, focusing on statistical methods for cluster randomized trials under the supervision of Dr. Allan Donner. His groundbreaking research and collaboration with renowned institutions like the Dana Farner Cancer Institute at Havard Medical School in Boston and Cancer Care Ontario in Toronto further solidified his reputation as a leading biostatistician.
Throughout his career, Dr. Klar's main research focus remained on clustered randomized trials, investigating critical questions in health research with innovative methodological approaches. He co-authored with Dr. Allan Donner the highly acclaimed textbook Design and Analysis of Cluster Randomization Trials in Health Research (2000) that is still the standard on the topic today. His contributions extended beyond academia, impacting public health initiatives and clinical trials globally.
As we bid farewell to Dr. Neil Klar, we acknowledge his profound impact on our department and the broader scientific community. His dedication to teaching and mentoring students at all levels, from undergraduate to PhD, has left an indelible mark on countless aspiring researchers.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Neil Klar on his remarkable career and wishing him well in his retirement. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations in the fields of epidemiology and biostatistics.
