MaryLena Bleile, Ph.D
Statistician
Welcome to my website! I am a Canadian statistician currently living in New York City. I am interested in the design of Bayesian and mixed models, as well as [Causal] Reinforcement Learning. I currently serve as a biomarker study statistician at Sanofi, and I am working on writing a technical book under contract with CRC press as well. Previously I have had the pleasure of working in the Epi/Bio department at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and the AI and Automation lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Most of my work involves the application and development of Bayesian models and Reinforcement Learning. I believe that the generalized linear mixed model is an undervalued tool which has the potential to bridge many gaps in a variety of contexts: Correct specification of design and contrasts is an elegant and efficient route to resolve many practical problems.
Animation by Grant Sanderson
Feel free to add me on LinkedIn, or to send an inquiry through the fillable seminar request form on this page. I am also accepting selected part-time contract roles through my partner, TechData Service LLC.
Bayesian models can be used in tandem with Machine Learning methods such as Reinforcement Learning as well, in any case where optimal decision-making is needed. Inference in the model-based decision-making framework, of course, is causal. My forthcoming book on Optimal Control Using Causal Agents outlines the deep mathematical synergy between these two revolutionary fields, which have largely remained in their respective silos with few cross-citations between them. The book is under contract with CRC press, with target completion around May 2027.
When I'm not doing statistics, you can usually find me on the mat doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Judo (watch one of my competition matches here), or lifting weights at the gym.
Photography by Anthony Batista