Project Data

Justin T. Newcomer

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

**** ******* ******

Baltimore, MD, 21250

*****@****.****.***

http://www.math.umbc.edu/~jnew1

Education: Ph.D. Candidate, Statistics Expected, December 2008

University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

Thesis Title: Estimation Procedures for Multinomial Models with Overdispersion

Thesis Advisor: Dr. Nagaraj K. Neerchal

GPA: 4.0 (on a scale of 4.0)

Masters Degree, M.S. Statistics December 2006

University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

GPA: 3.75 (on a scale of 4.0)

Dual Bachelors Degree, B.A. Mathematics/B.S. Computer Science Summa Cum Laude,

West Chester University, West Chester, PA May 2003

Overall GPA: 3.85 (on a scale of 4.0)

Major GPA: 3.96 (Mathematics) / 3.94 (Computer Science)

Honors & - 1st Prize, Student Paper Competition, Probability & Statistics Day, UMBC (Spring 2008)

Awards: - 1st Prize, Student Poster Competition, Probability & Statistics Day, UMBC (Spring 2007)

- US DOE Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowship (Fall 2004 Present)

- Dean s List Scholar at West Chester University (Spring 2000 Spring 2003)

- Pennsylvania National Science & Technology Scholarship (Fall 2000 Spring 2003)

- College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Senior Student Award Nominee (Spring 2003)

- Award for Excellence in Mathematics (Fall 2002)

- Who s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (Spring 2002)

- Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Computer Science (Spring 2002)

Professional Research Assistant, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Consulting January 2006

& Research Department of Mathematics and Statistics, UMBC, Baltimore, MD Present

Experience: Advisor: Dr. Nagaraj Neerchal, Professor of Statistics, UMBC

- Assisted the center directors with research and consulting activities.

- Met individually with clients to discuss their consulting needs and, upon completion of the

project, presented the results of the consulting projects to the client.

- Developed and presented a series of workshops on various statistical and data management

software packages including SAS, S-Plus, SPSS, and Microsoft Access.

Research Assistant August 2004

Department of Mathematics and Statistics, UMBC, Baltimore, MD - January 2006

Advisor: Dr. Nagaraj Neerchal, Professor of Statistics, UMBC

- Assisted with research and consulting activities for Dr. Nagaraj Neerchal

- Performed analysis of the TRI emissions and helped prepare and present the results in the

national TRI conference.

- Helped analyze and prepare results on chromium emissions factors for various welding

processes and welding rod types.

Statistics Research Intern, The Proctor and Gamble Company May 2005

Biometrics and Statistical Sciences Department, Mason, OH August 2005

Supervising Manager: Dr. Jorge Morel

- Developed and implemented new statistical methodologies for analyzing count data in several

phase III clinical trials.

- Methodologies include Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) and Generalized Linear

Mixed Models (GLMM) in conjunction with the Poisson and Negative Binomial distributions.

- Methods were implemented using SAS and S-Plus software packages.

- Collaborated with team members on various aspects of the clinical trial projects.

Newcomer 2

Statistics Research Intern, United States Environmental Protection Agency May 2004

Washington, DC August 2004

- Assisted with consulting and training activities for the office of the chief statistician.

- Participated in the development of USEPA guidelines for handling below detection limit data.

- Provided analysis and visualization of spatial and temporal data sets such as the Toxics

Release Inventory (TRI) emissions and groundwater contaminate data.

- Worked jointly with members from the USEPA, USGS, American University, and UMBC.

Business Strategy Analyst, Homecomings Financial / GMAC May 2003

Blue Bell, PA August 2003

- Combined mathematical and business knowledge to build models utilizing available data to

analyze and optimize the strategies employed within the organization.

- Wrote and presented management with reports summarizing the findings, key points, and

recommendations for each analysis.

Assistant to the Call Center Specialist, Homecomings Financial / GMAC May 2002

Blue Bell, PA August 2002

- Responsible for testing new software to be implemented in the call center.

- Worked with a team on risk management analysis of call center campaigns.

- Independently developed small programs to optimize reporting time.

- Conducted daily reports to aid in the analysis of the efficiency of call center software.

Leadership & Statistics Advisor for the Summer Program in Computational Biology (Summer 2008)

Organization Department of Mathematics and Statistics, UMBC, Baltimore, MD

- Advised four undergraduates supported by the National Science Foundation's Research

Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site Program. Research topics included modeling

and analysis of high-dimensional Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) data, parameter

estimation and hypothesis testing, and multiple testing procedures.

President, Mathematics and Statistics Graduate Student Association (2006 2007)

Department of Mathematics and Statistics, UMBC, Baltimore, MD

- As a founding member, outlined and helped write the constitution and bylaws, and became the

first president. As president, acted as a liaison between graduate students and department

faculty, organized departmental events, and conducted monthly meetings with the graduate

student body.

President (2002 2003) / Vice President (2001 2002), Pi Mu Epsilon Honor Society

West Chester University, West Chester, PA

- Provided support and guidance to mathematics students within the department.

Consulting Project Title: Modeling multiple sources of correlation

& Project Client: Dr. Ming Tan, University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center

Experience: Description: Investigated and developed new statistical methodologies for analyzing count data

with multiple sources of correlation. Applied methodologies to multi-level repeated

ordinal study for the analysis of oral practice examinations in an anesthesiology

training program. Ongoing collaboration, Summer 2008.

Project Title: Statistical Input for the Thrombotic RIsk Progression (TRIP) Study

Client: Udaya S. Tantry, Sinai Center for Thrombosis Research, Baltimore, Maryland

Description: Provided statistical input for the TRIP study in response to reviewer's comments.

Helped write the statistical methods and analysis sections of the manuscript.

Project Title: Statistical Analysis for Cyberknife Treatment Study

Client: Mukund S. Didolkar, MD, Director, Surgical Oncology, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore

Description: Completed statistical analysis for the Cyberknife treatment study using survival

analysis. Also developed a database application to facilitate the data entry and

storage for the study data.

Newcomer 3

Project Title: Statistical analysis of larval feeding plasticity.

Client: Will Gretes and Dr. Jeffery Leips, Department of Biology, UMBC

Description: Analyzed repeated measurements of larval feeding plasticity using GEE methods.

Presented results at the UMBC-Wyeth Summit, August 24, 2007

Project Title: Statistical Input for a R01 NIH Grant

Client: Dr. Robert Poston, Professor of Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center

Description: Assisted in development and writing the statistical portion of a NIH grant which

investigates the effects of thrombin concentrations on heart graft failure.

Project Title: Exploratory Data Analysis and Safety Study for several Phase I Clinical Trials

Client: Dr. Phillip Ross, Statlogic Consulting Services, Bethesda MD

Description: Performed an exploratory data analysis on safety data for several first time in-man

studies. Presented the client with a document containing various reports, statistical

data tables, and listings for the clinical study.

Project Title: Development of a Database Application

Client: Dr. Uri Tasch, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, UMBC

Description: Developed a Microsoft Access database application to assist in data entry and

management for a project on detecting Bovine Lameness in cows.

Project Title: Analysis of Interval Censored Data with an External Time Dependent Covariate

Client: Dr. Gale Holmes, Polymers Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Description: Modeled the breaking time of a particular type of fiber. In particular, used both

nonparametric and parametric approaches to estimate the survivor and hazard

functions for the fiber while incorporating the interval censoring and time dependent

nature of the data.

Project Title: Development of a Database Application and Tutorial

Client: Dr. Barry Nussbaum, Office of Environmental Information, USEPA

Description: Developed a Microsoft Access database application that allows the user to define and

access subsets of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data over several years and to

identify possible outliers. Also developed a tutorial which demonstrates how to use

and modify the application to meet the users specific needs.

Project Title: Data Analysis for the Concentration of Atrazine in Ground Water

Client: Mr. Earl Greene, United States Geographical Survey (USGS), Baltimore, MD

Description: Used regression techniques, specifically logistic regression, to model and predict the

concentration of Artazine in ground water throughout the Chesapeake Bay area.

Teaching Graduate Instructor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics May 2006 Present

Experience: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

- Prepared and presented a series of software workshops for a senior level software course

- Prepared and graded student projects and home work assignments.

- Courses Taught: Stat 432 Statistical Software Packages and their Applications

Teaching Assistant, Department of Mathematics and Statistics August 2003 December 2005

University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

- Conducted two discussion sessions per week to help reinforce essential course material.

- Prepared and graded student projects and quizzes.

- Courses include: Stat 121 Statistics for the Social Sciences

Stat 351 Applied Statistics for Business and Economics

Stat 355 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists

Newcomer 4

Tutor, Learning Assistance and Resource Center January 2001 May 2003

West Chester University, West Chester, PA

- Responsible for coaching small groups of undergraduate students through mathematics and

computer science curriculum at all levels.

- Provided cooperative guidance in the problem solving process.

- Subjects Tutored Include: College Algebra and Trigonometry, Pre Calculus, Calculus I and II,

Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Computer Programming I and II, MS Visual

Basic, Foundations/Theory of Computer Science

Mentor, Academic Development Program June 2001 August 2001

West Chester University, West Chester, PA

- Responsible for facilitating developmental students comprehension in the mathematical,

study, and time management skills necessary for college.

- Integrated organization and study skills, time management, and problem solving techniques

into the students course content.

Publications: Mathews M, McDonald T, Meadows K, Smith A, Newcomer J, Neerchal NK, Roy A. Statistical

Analysis of Colorectal Neoplasia SNPs Through Correlated Multinomial Modeling In preparation.

Newcomer J, Neerchal NK, Morel JG. An Efficient Alternative to GEE for Multinomial

Overdispersed Data. In preparation.

Gurbel PA, Bliden KP, Dichiara J, Gesheff T, Chaganti SK, Etherington A, Tantry US, Newcomer J,

Weng W, Neerchal NK. Response to the Letter Regarding Article, 'Evaluation of Dose-Related

Effects of Aspirin on Platelet Function: Results From the Aspirin-Induced Platelet Effect (ASPECT)

Study'. Circulation, 117(4), e22, (2008).

Gurbel PA, Bliden KP, DiChiara J, Newcomer J, Weng W, Neerchal NK, Gesheff T, Chaganti SK,

Etherington A, Tantry US. Evaluation of dose-related effects of aspirin on platelet function: results

from the Aspirin-Induced Platelet Effect (ASPECT) study. Circulation, 115(25), 3156-3164, (2007).

Presentations: A Family of Models for Analyzing Correlated/Clustered Multinomial Data

Joint research with Dr. Nagaraj Neerchal, UMBC and Dr. Jorge G. Morel, P&G Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Topics Contributed Paper - Models for Binomial/Multinomial Overdispersed Data, Biometrics

Section, Joint Statistical Meetings, Denver, CO, August 5, 2008

An Extension of Generalized Estimating Equations for Multinomial Data with Overdispersion

Joint research with Dr. Nagaraj Neerchal, UMBC and Dr. Jorge G. Morel, P&G Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Probability and Statistics Day Conference. UMBC, Baltimore, MD, April 26, 2008. First Prize,

Student Paper Competition.

A Family of Models for Analyzing Multinomial Data with Overdispersion

Joint research with Dr. Nagaraj Neerchal, UMBC and Dr. Jorge G. Morel, P&G Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Probability and Statistics Day Conference. UMBC, Baltimore, MD, April 28, 2007

A Novel Analysis of Feeding Behavior to Address an Old Debate: Behavioral Plasticity of Larval

Manduca Sexta, Induction of Preference or Induction of Specificity?

Joint research with Will Gretes, Department of Biology, UMBC. Probability and Statistics Day

Conference. UMBC, Baltimore, MD, April 28, 2007. First Prize, Student Poster Competition.

Statistical Methods and Data Management Tools for Outlier Detection in TRI Data

Joint work with Dr. Nagaraj Neerchal, UMBC and Barry Nussbaum, Office of Environmental

Information, USEPA. EPA National conference on Managing Environmental Quality Systems.

Austin TX, April 27, 2006.

Combining averages and single measurements in a lognormal model

Joint work with Dr. Nagaraj Neerchal, UMBC. International Conference on Statistics,

Combinitorics, Mathematics, and Applications. Auburn University, Auburn AL, December 3, 2005.

Newcomer 5

The Analysis of Chromium Emissions Data

Joint work with Dr. Nagaraj Neerchal, Professor of Statistics, UMBC and Mohamed Seregeldin,

Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, EPA, RTP. EPA National conference on Managing

Environmental Quality Systems. San Diego CA, April 13, 2005.

Statistical Analysis and Outlier Detection in TRI Data

Presented jointly with Dr. Nagaraj Neerchal, Professor of Statistics, UMBC and Dr. Phillip Ross,

Chief Statistician, EPA/OEI. TRI National Conference. Washington DC, February 9, 2005

The Prediction of Atrazine in Ground Water

Conducted a forty-five-minute presentation on the results of a one month consulting project which

explored and implemented the process of building a statistical model to predict the probability that

Atrazine, a pesticide, is above a specified threshold in groundwater. Jointly with Rupa Bhensdadia.

Client: Earl Greene, United States Geological Survey (USGS). UMBC, Baltimore, MD, May 6, 2004

The Gambler s Ruin Problem

Researched and prepared a fifteen-minute presentation giving an overview and solution to the

classical ruin problem. Presented in the Graduate Student Seminar. UMBC, Baltimore, MD,

November 12, 2003

3-Dimensional Power: The Power of a Statistical Test Dependent on Sample Size and Mean

Presented an overview of the relationship between the power of a statistical test, the sample size, and

the population mean. Senior Statistics Presentations. West Chester University, West Chester, PA,

April 28, 2003

Applications of Calculus: A Procedural Method for Solving Related Rate Problems

Researched and prepared a one hour seminar introducing undergraduate students to the process of

solving related rate problems via calculus. West Chester University, West Chester, PA, April 28, 2003

Learning Assistance and Resource Center Trainings

Conducted Praxis review classes for students preparing to take the PPST mathematics test. West

Chester University, West Chester, PA, Spring 2002

Computer Programming Languages

Skills: - C, C++, Java, SAS, S-Plus, HTML, Perl, PHP, MPI, Lisp, ML, Visual Basic, SQL

Operating Systems

- Windows NT, XP, 2000, 98, UNIX, Linux, MS Dos

Applications

- Statistics/Mathematics: SAS, S-Plus, SPSS, R, WinBUGS, Minitab, MATLAB, MAPLE

- Microsoft Products: Word, Access, Excel, Power Point

References: Available upon request

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