As a self-described "generalist" applied biostatistician, Professor Simmens emphasizes the social and behavioral components of public health-related statistical methods. As a faculty member, he encourages his students to maintain a generalist perspective regardless of how specialized they become, emphasizing the value of applying their statistical knowledge and problem-solving skills to real-world biostatistical problems. As a researcher, he collaborates with colleagues in all of the health-related fields, applying his skills to research focused on cancer, mental health, maternal and infant development, war related illness and numerous other health issues.
As interim director of the Biostatistics Center Medical Center Unit, Dr. Simmens oversees a statistical coordinating center that provides comprehensive statistical support - including data management, biostatistical and clinical epidemiological expertise and grant development -- to all faculty at The George Washington University Medical Center. Dr. Simmens has been with the BCMCU since its formal launch in 1996.
Master of Arts (Community Psychology), New York University, 1979
Doctor of Philosophy (Community and Quantitative Psychology), New York University, 1984
PubH 258-Advanced Topics in Biostatistical Consulting, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
PubH 210, 212-Special Project: Biostatistics Consulting Practicum, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
In addition to his collaborative research activities, which have resulted in over 70 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Simmens is interested in the connection between stage of science and appropriate statistical methods, sample size requirements for pilot studies and structural equation modeling.
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A Study of Gulf War Veterans with a Possible Deployment -Related Syndrome.
Levine, P.H., Richardson, P.K., Zolfghari, L., Cleary, S.D., Potolicchio, S., Geist, C.E., Young, H.A., Simmens, S.J., Schessel, D., Williams, K., Mahan, C.M., Kang, H.K. (2006). A Study of Gulf War Veterans with a Possible Deployment -Related Syndrome. Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health, 61(6):271-288.
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Acting on Reflection: The effect of reflection on Students’ Clinical Performance on a Standardized Patient Examination.
Blatt, J., Plack, M., Maring, J., Mintz, M., & Simmens, S.J. Acting on Reflection: The effect of reflection on Students’ Clinical Performance on a Standardized Patient Examination. (2007). Journal of General Internal Medicine, 22(1):49-54. PMCID: PMC1824774.
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Family emotional climate, depression, emotional triggering of asthma, and disease severity in pediatric asthma: Examination of pathways of effect.
Wood, B. L., Lim, J., Miller, B. D., Cheah, P. A., Simmens, S., Stern, T., et al. (2007). Family emotional climate, depression, emotional triggering of asthma, and disease severity in pediatric asthma: Examination of pathways of effect. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 32(5), 542-551.
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BP1 Transcriptionally Activates bcl-2 and Inhibits TNF-alpha-induced Cell Death in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells.
Stevenson, H.S., Fu, S.W., Pinzone, J.J., Rheey, J., Simmens, S.J. & Berg, P.E. (2007). BP1 Transcriptionally Activates bcl-2 and Inhibits TNF-alpha-induced Cell Death in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells. Breast Cancer Research, 9:R60. PMCID: PMC2242656.
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Close Relationships and Emotional Processing Predict Decreased Mortality in Women with Breast Cancer: Preliminary Evidence.
Weihs, K.L., Enright, T.M., & Simmens, S.J. (2008). Close Relationships and Emotional Processing Predict Decreased Mortality in Women with Breast Cancer: Preliminary Evidence. Psychosomatic Medicine, 70,117-124. PMID: 18158376
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Testing the biobehavioral family model in pediatric asthma: Pathways of effect.
Wood, B. L., Lim, J., Miller, B. D., Cheah, P., Zwetsch, T., Ramesh, S., & Simmens, S. (2008). Testing the biobehavioral family model in pediatric asthma: Pathways of effect. Family Process, 47(1), 21-40. PMID: 18411828
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Reliability and validity of the fear survey schedule for infants-preschoolers.
Warren, S. L., Ollendick, T. H., & Simmens, S. J. (2008). Reliability and validity of the fear survey schedule for infants-preschoolers. Depression and Anxiety, 25(12), E205-E207. doi: 10.1002/da.20344.
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Community ready! Assessing and meeting the needs of parents in Arlington County, Virginia.
Moses, M.S., Caruso, D.S., Otten, T.G., Simmens, S., & Guidotti, T.L. (in press, 2008). Community ready! Assessing and meeting the needs of parents in Arlington County, Virginia. Journal of Emergency Management.
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The first therapeutic game specifically designed and evaluated for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Cohen, G.D, Firth, K.M., Biddle, S., Lewis, M.J., & Simmens, S. (2009). The first therapeutic game specifically designed and evaluated for Alzheimer’s Disease. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, 23, 540-553. PMID: 19001349
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BP1, a homeoprotein, is significantly expressed in prostate adenocarcinoma and is concordant with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia
Schwartz, A.M., Man, Y-G., Rezai, M.K., Simmens, S., & Berg, P.E. (2009) BP1, a homeoprotein, is significantly expressed in prostate adenocarcinoma and is concordant with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Modern Pathology, 22, 1-6. PMID: 18931648
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Investigating the Risk of Cancer in 1990-1991 US Gulf War Veterans Using State Cancer Registry Data.
Young, H.A., Maillard, J.D., Levine, P.H., Simmens, S.J., Mahan, C.M, & Kang, H.K. (2010, in press). Investigating the Risk of Cancer in 1990-1991 US Gulf War Veterans Using State Cancer Registry Data. Annals of Epidemiology.
