Debbie M. Cheng, ScD
Professor
Boston University School of Public Health
Biostatistics

ScD, Harvard University
BS, Northwestern University



Debbie M. Cheng is a Professor of Biostatistics and Assistant Dean of Data Science at the Boston University School of Public Health, where she is also the founding Executive Director of the Center for Health Data Science. She serves as Director of Strategy and Partnerships for Boston University’s university-wide AI Developmental Accelerator (AIDA). She is also Co-Director of the Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). Her research focuses on applied statistics and clinical trial design and analysis, with particular emphasis on the intersection of substance use and HIV. She leads interdisciplinary initiatives that integrate data science with public health and clinical research to advance evidence-based solutions.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

I have incorporated DEIJ into my activities in multiple ways:

-I have participated in University-wide DEIJ training
-I have completed additional DEIJ training for search committees
-I participate in discussions of DEIJ topics that arise at each department faculty meeting
-I collaborate with a diverse group of investigators with a range of backgrounds and cultures
-I teach and mentor a diverse group of students and trainees

Assistant Dean of Data Science
Boston University School of Public Health


Executive Director
Boston University School of Public Health
Center for Health Data Science


Faculty
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Medicine
Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit



Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research (CFAR): Core Support (Cores A, B, G, K, L, SWG)
07/01/2023 - 06/30/2028 (Subcontract PI)
The Miriam Hospital NIH NIAID
5P30AI042853-27

Gabapentin to Reduce Alcohol and Improve Viral Load Suppression in Russia – a Treatment as Prevention Intervention
09/20/2022 - 06/30/2027 (Subcontract PI)
Boston Medical Center Corporation NIH NIAAA
5R01AA030460-04

Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Program
07/01/2022 - 05/31/2027 (Subcontract PI)
Boston Medical Center Corporation NIH NIDA
5R25DA013582-24

A Universal Primary Care Based Intervention to Reduce Youth Overdose Risk
09/30/2024 - 08/31/2026 (Subcontract PI)
Boston Medical Center Corporation NIH NIDA
1R61DA062217-01

The International Uganda Russia Boston Alcohol Network for Alcohol Research Collaboration on HIV/AIDS (URBAN ARCH) Center
09/10/2021 - 08/31/2026 (Subcontract PI)
Boston Medical Center Corporation NIH NIAAA
5P01AA029541-05

Microbiome, Metabolites, and Alcohol in HIV to Reduce CVD (META HIV CVD)
09/10/2021 - 08/31/2026 (Subcontract PI)
Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH NIAAA
5P01AA029542-05

Pfizer RAShip - Subhrangshu Bit
01/15/2024 - 07/14/2025 (Key Person / Mentor)
Pfizer, Inc.


Linking Russian Narcology & HIV Care to Enhance Treatment, Retention, and Outcomes - Part II
09/15/2017 - 07/31/2024 (Subcontract PI)
Boston Medical Center Corporation NIH NIDA
5R01DA045547-05

1/2 Alcohol associated Comorbidities and Microbiome Evaluation in HIV (ACME HIV)
08/01/2017 - 07/31/2024 (Subcontract PI)
Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH NIAAA
5U01AA026222-05

Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research (CFAR): Core Support (Cores A, B, E, G, K, SWG)
07/01/2018 - 06/30/2024 (PI of Sub-Project / SP)
The Miriam Hospital NIH NIAID
5P30AI042853-24

Showing 10 of 24 results. Show All Results


Title


Yr Title Project-Sub Proj Pubs
2025 Biostatistics and Data Management Resource Core 5P01AA029541-05-9185
2024 Biostatistics and Data Management Resource Core 5P01AA029541-04-9185
2023 Biostatistics and Data Management Resource Core 5P01AA029541-03-9185
2022 Biostatistics and Data Management Resource Core 5P01AA029541-02-9185
2021 Biostatistics and Data Management Resource Core 1P01AA029541-01-9185
2020 URBAN ARCH (2/5) Biostatistics and Data Management Core (BDM) 5U24AA020779-10 54
2019 URBAN ARCH (2/5) Biostatistics and Data Management Core (BDM) 5U24AA020779-09 54
2018 URBAN ARCH (2/5) Biostatistics and Data Management Core (BDM) 5U24AA020779-08 54
2017 URBAN ARCH (2/5) Biostatistics and Data Management Core (BDM) 5U24AA020779-07 54
2016 URBAN ARCH (2/5) Biostatistics and Data Management Core (BDM) 2U24AA020779-06 54
Showing 10 of 20 results. Show All Results

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

iCite Analysis       Copy PMIDs To Clipboard

  1. Truong V, Kekibiina A, Muyindike W, Gnatienko N, Tsui JI, Emenyonu NI, Cheng DM, Hahn J, Allison O, Bullard MJ, Lunze K, Samet JH. Gabapentin to achieve HIV viral load suppression in people with risky drinking in Mbarara, Uganda: study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (GRAIL). Res Sq. 2025 Oct 15.View Related Profiles. PMID: 41282191; PMCID: PMC12633181; DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6856284/v1;
     
  2. El-Bassel N, Samet JH, Cheng DM, Freisthler B, John Winhusen T, Walsh SL. Response to the Editor: Re: registration and multiple outcome testing in the HEALing Communities Study by Dennis M. Gorman and Ben G. Fitzpatrick. Int J Drug Policy. 2025 Nov; 145:105029.View Related Profiles. PMID: 41077014; DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.105029;
     
  3. Brown JL, Larochelle MR, Fanucchi LC, Calvert DC, Campbell ANC, Chandler RK, Feaster DJ, Glasgow LM, Gibson EB, Holloway J, Lofwall MR, Mack A, Mack N, Nunes EV, Talbert JC, Tan S, Vandergrift N, Villani J, Asman K, Babakhanlou-Chase H, Bagley SM, Battaglia TA, Blevins D, Bridden C, Cheng DM, Christopher M, Cogan LW, Cunningham CO, Eggleston B, Fareed N, Fernandez S, Freedman DA, Freiermuth CE, Freisthler B, Gilbert L, Hammerslag L, Harris D, Hunt T, Hussain S, Huynh P, Jackson RD, Kauffman EB, Knott C, Knudsen HK, Lefebvre RC, Levin FR, Massatti R, McAlearney AS, Morgan JR, Lopez RM, Lounsbury DW, Newman L, Nickels K, Oga EA, Oller DA, Parran TV, Quinn M, Ramsey KS, Rapkin BD, Salsberry P, Stein M, Taylor JL, Teater J, Walters ST, Zarkin GA, El-Bassel N, Winhusen TJ, Samet JH, Walsh SL. Effects of the Communities That HEAL intervention on initiation, retention, and linkage to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD): A cluster randomized wait-list controlled trial. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2025 Sep 01; 274:112785.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40684522; PMCID: PMC12302724; DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112785;
     
  4. Magane KM, Dukes KA, Fielman S, Palfai TP, Regan D, Cheng DM, Lee H, Kraemer KL, Bullard MJ, Chen CA, Samet JH. Oral vs Extended-Release Injectable Naltrexone for Hospitalized Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2025 Jun 01; 185(6):635-645.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40257810; PMCID: PMC12013356; DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.0522;
     
  5. Fuster D, So-Armah K, Cheng DM, Blokhina E, Patts G, Lioznov D, Gnatienko N, Long MT, Freiberg MS, Tindle H, Samet JH. Is There an Association Between Cigarette Smoking and Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Smokers with HIV, Heavy Drinking and High Prevalence of HCV? J Clin Med. 2025 Feb 11; 14(4).View Related Profiles. PMID: 40004700; PMCID: PMC11856725; DOI: 10.3390/jcm14041169;
     
  6. Freeman PR, Walley AY, Winhusen TJ, Oga EA, Villani J, Hunt T, Chandler RK, Oyler DR, Reilly B, Gelberg K, Douglas C, Lyons MS, Holloway J, Vandergrift NA, Adams JW, Asman K, Baker TJ, Brancato CJ, Cheng DM, Childerhose JE, David JL, Feaster DJ, Gilbert L, Glasgow LM, Goddard-Eckrich DA, Knott C, Knudsen HK, Lofwall MR, Marks KR, McMullan JT, Oser CB, Roberts MF, Shoben AB, Stein MD, Walters ST, Watson J, Zarkin GA, Jackson RD, Samet JH, Walsh SL, Bassel NE. Effect of the Communities That HEAL Intervention on Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution: A Cluster-Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Trial. Am J Public Health. 2025 Jan; 115(1):83-94.View Related Profiles. PMID: 39388670; PMCID: PMC11628717; DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2024.307845;
     
  7. Cheng DM, Hogan JW. The Sense and Sensibility of Sensitivity Analyses. N Engl J Med. 2024 Sep 19; 391(11):972-974. PMID: 39282939; DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp2403318;
     
  8. Samet JH, El-Bassel N, Winhusen TJ, Jackson RD, Oga EA, Chandler RK, Villani J, Freisthler B, Adams J, Aldridge A, Angerame A, Babineau DC, Bagley SM, Baker TJ, Balvanz P, Barbosa C, Barocas J, Battaglia TA, Beard DD, Beers D, Blevins D, Bove N, Bridden C, Brown JL, Bush HM, Bush JL, Caldwell R, Calver K, Calvert D, Campbell ANC, Carpenter J, Caspar R, Chassler D, Chaya J, Cheng DM, Cunningham CO, Dasgupta A, David JL, Davis A, Dean T, Drainoni ML, Eggleston B, Fanucchi LC, Feaster DJ, Fernandez S, Figueroa W, Freedman DA, Freeman PR, Freiermuth CE, Friedlander E, Gelberg KH, Gibson EB, Gilbert L, Glasgow L, Goddard-Eckrich DA, Gomori S, Gruss DE, Gulley J, Gutnick D, Hall ME, Harger Dykes N, Hargrove SL, Harlow K, Harris A, Harris D, Helme DW, Holloway J, Hotchkiss J, Huang T, Huerta TR, Hunt T, Hyder A, Ingram VL, Ingram T, Kauffman E, Kimball JL, Kinnard EN, Knott C, Knudsen HK, Konstan MW, Kosakowski S, Larochelle MR, Leaver HM, LeBaron PA, Lefebvre RC, Levin FR, Lewis N, Lewis N, Lofwall MR, Lounsbury DW, Luster JE, Lyons MS, Mack A, Marks KR, Marquesano S, Mauk R, McAlearney AS, McConnell K, McGladrey ML, McMullan J, Miles J, Munoz Lopez R, Nelson A, Neufeld JL, Newman L, Nguyen TQ, Nunes EV, Oller DA, Oser CB, Oyler DR, Pagnano S, Parran TV, Powell J, Powers K, Ralston W, Ramsey K, Rapkin BD, Reynolds JG, Roberts MF, Robertson W, Rock P, Rodgers E, Rodriguez S, Rudorf M, Ryan S, Salsberry P, Salvage M, Sabounchi N, Saucier M, Savitzky C, Schackman B, Schady E, Seiber EE, Shadwick A, Shoben A, Slater MD, Slavova S, Speer D, Sprunger J, Starbird LE, Staton M, Stein MD, Stevens-Watkins DJ, Stopka TJ, Sullivan A, Surratt HL, Sword Cruz R, Talbert JC, Taylor JL, Thompson KL, Vandergrift N, Vickers-Smith RA, Vietze DJ, Walker DM, Walley AY, Walters ST, Weiss R, Westgate PM, Wu E, Young AM, Zarkin GA, Walsh SL. Community-Based Cluster-Randomized Trial to Reduce Opioid Overdose Deaths. N Engl J Med. 2024 Sep 19; 391(11):989-1001.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38884347; PMCID: PMC11761538; DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2401177;
     
  9. Tsui JI, Rossi SL, Cheng DM, Bendiks S, Vetrova M, Blokhina E, Winter M, Gnatienko N, Backonja M, Bryant K, Krupitsky E, Samet JH. Pilot RCT comparing low-dose naltrexone, gabapentin and placebo to reduce pain among people with HIV with alcohol problems. PLoS One. 2024; 19(2):e0297948.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38408060; PMCID: PMC10896547; DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297948;
     
  10. Stopka TJ, Babineau DC, Gibson EB, Knott CE, Cheng DM, Villani J, Wai JM, Blevins D, David JL, Goddard-Eckrich DA, Lofwall MR, Massatti R, DeFiore-Hyrmer J, Lyons MS, Fanucchi LC, Harris DR, Talbert J, Hammerslag L, Oller D, Balise RR, Feaster DJ, Soares W, Zarkin GA, Glasgow L, Oga E, McCarthy J, D'Costa L, Chahine R, Gomori S, Dalvi N, Shrestha S, Garner C, Shadwick A, Salsberry P, Konstan MW, Freisthler B, Winhusen J, El-Bassel N, Samet JH, Walsh SL. Impact of the Communities That HEAL Intervention on Buprenorphine-Waivered Practitioners and Buprenorphine Prescribing: A Prespecified Secondary Analysis of the HCS Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Feb 05; 7(2):e240132.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38386322; PMCID: PMC10884876; DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0132;
     
Showing 10 of 230 results. Show More

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 230 publications over 26 distinct years, with a maximum of 18 publications in 2007

YearPublications
20003
20013
20021
20031
20047
20053
20068
200718
20089
20097
20108
201110
201210
201315
201417
20158
201615
201713
201811
201912
20209
202113
202211
20238
20245
20255


2023 Fellow of the American Statistical Association (elected)
2011 Boston University School of Public Health: Excellence in Teaching Award (Summer semester)
2011 Boston University School of Public Health: Excellence in Teaching Award (Spring semester)
2008 Boston University School of Public Health: Excellence in Teaching Award (Spring semester)
1995-1999 National Institutes of Health: Training Grant Recipient
1995-1998 Harvard School of Public Health: Teaching Fellow, Department of Biostatistics
1995 Northwestern University: Graduated with Highest Distinction
In addition to these self-described keywords below, a list of MeSH based concepts is available here.

Biostatistics
Methods for longitudinal data analysis
Design of clinical trials
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