Dr Chao Huang

Ph.D, M.Sc, B.Sc, FHEA, CStat

Reader in Statistics

Role at Hull York Medical School

Within the Institute for Clinical and Applied Health Research (ICAHR) and Hull York Medical School (HYMS) of Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), I am responsible for the statistical aspects of innovative applied methods and provide methodological expertise for designing and conducting medical research. I work closely with the Hull Health Trials Unit (HHTU), steering its strategy development in statistics and research portfolio and overseeing a full range of clinical and applied health research projects.

Biography

Dr. Chao Huang obtained his PhD in Statistics from the University of Manchester in 2010 and then he worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in medical statistics during the following year. From 2012, he started his role as a Trial Statistician at the South East Wales Trial Unit, Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University. From October 2017, he joined the Hull York Medical School, University of Hull.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Statistics, University of Manchester, UK (2010)
  • MSc in Probability and Mathematical Statistics, Nankai University, China (2006)
  • BSc in Mathematical Statistics, Nankai University, China (2003)
Research

As a statistical methodologist, Dr. Chao Huang’s research interests lie in the development of methodological and applied statistical research in various fields, with a specific focus on health-related sciences. This includes longitudinal data analysis, addressing missing data issues and informative observations, survival analysis, utilising joint modelling approach, conducting variable selection, performing simulation-based sample size calculations, and determining the adjusted anchor-based minimal clinically important difference.

As a statistician in medical school, Dr. Chao Huang actively develops leadership in quantitative study design and analysis in health-related research. Dr. Chao Huang establishes and expands research collaborations within HYMS and across faculties. He works with health professionals from the NHS, as well as trialists and researchers from external institutions through national and EU-funded research projects. In the capacity of principal investigator, Dr. Chao Huang initiates and leads studies for international research projects.

Teaching

Within Hull York Medical School, Dr. Chao Huang undertakes teachings in statistics-related modules. He also provides teaching and consultancy services in statistics and evidence based medicine to NHS professionals from Hull University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.

Publications
Collaborations
  • KEY GRANTS HELD

    2024-   DAMPen-D II: Improving the Detection, Assessment, Management, and Prevention of Delirium in Palliative Care Units: a Cluster Randomised-Controlled Trial, Economic Analysis and Process Evaluation (£2.3M funded by NIHR HSDR; co-investigator) 

    2023- BREEZE II: A randomised controlled trial of a complex intervention to manage breathlessness in pulmonary fibrosis (500k funded by NIHR RfPB; co-investigator) 

    2023- Mortality Risk Prediction of ICU Patients with Sepsis Considering Dynamic Time Series Characteristics under Uncertainty. (12K funded by Royal Society’s International Exchanges Cost Share; lead investigator)

    2022- Identifying the most clinically- and cost-effective exercise prescription for patients with intermittent claudication (MAXIMISE): a component network meta-analysis to answer a James Lind Alliance priority research question. (437k funded by NIHR HTA; co-investigator) 

    2022- Fan Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) for people living with COPD and high SABA intake (Fan FIRST). (250k funded by NIHR RfPB; co-investigator) 

    2022- Building a sustainable European innovation platform to enhance the repurposing of medicines for all (REMEDI4ALL study; 927k funded by Horizon Europe; co-investigator) 

    2022- Pre-Operative Oncotype DX testing: A decision impact study (PRE-DX study; 363k funded by Exact Sciences)

    2022-  A phase II, randomised feasibility trial of a tailored, home-based exercise programme on disease-free survival among early stage high-risk recurring cancers in Yorkshire. (£1.07m funded by YCR; co-investigator). 

    2022- Systematic review & network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing antithrombotic drugs for cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with lower limb peripheral arterial disease. (56k funded by NIHR RfPB; co-investigator)

    2022- Evaluating the effectiveness and acceptability of free door-to-door transport to increase the uptake of breast screening appointments in Yorkshire: A cluster randomised GP feasibility trial. (335k funded by YCR; co-investigator)

    2021- The Cognitive Daisy (COG-D) for improving care for residents with dementia in care homes: A feasibility RCT (£278k funded by NIHR RfSC; co-investigator)

    2020- Tackling SABA over-relience through implementation of asthma guidelines in Hull (The SENTINEL Project; £238k SENTINEL study funded by AstraZeneca UK Limited)

Postgraduate research supervision

You are very welcome to contact me for potential PhD opportunities, if you have statistics related background and are interested in research on statistical methodology or medical statistics.

Current PGR students

2024-: PhD student- Karen-Marie Cowap. Suicide and Addiction: improving care pathways for people presenting to secondary care services. (co-supervisor)

2024-: PhD student- Natasha Lund. Resilience within the context of newly qualified nurses (co-supervisor)

2023-: MD student- Prabhsimran Singh. Prevalence of cirrhosis and its related complications amongst patients with Hereditary hemochromatosis in England (principal supervisor)

Previous PGR students:

2021- 2023-: NIHR Pre-doctoral Fellowship - Laura Hermann (research supervisor)

2019 -2024-: PhD student Saphsa Codling. Elucidating the relationships between physical activity, physical and psychological health status (including mood, stress) and alcohol misuse in women (co-supervisor).

External roles

Professional Memberships/Affiliations

Committee Member: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Selection Committee

Advisory Panel member: NIHR Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Yorkshire and North East (YNE) Regional Advisory Panel (2018-2022)

Editorial advisory board: Nursing in critical care

Chartered Statistician (CStat) and member: Royal Statistical Society (RSS)

Fellow: Higher Education Academy

Member: Cochrane

Member: UKCRC Registered CTU Network statistical group


External trial committee roles

2024-: CLARIFY study; Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) Chair & Independent Statistician

2024-: PsiDeR study; Trial Steering Committee (TSC) Independent Statistician

2023-: APPRAISE study; Trial Steering Committee (TSC) Independent Statistician

2021-: MoodHwb trial; Trial Steering Committee (TSC) Chair & Independent Statistician

2016-2017-: STUMBL trial; Trial Steering Committee (TSC) Independent Statistician

2015-2018-: PATH-2 trial; Data Safety and Monitoring Committee (DSMC) Chair & Independent Statistician