Sam Simmens, PhD, MA

Sam Simmens is an Associate Research Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at SPHHS and in GW's Department of Statistics. He is also Interim Director of The Biostatistics Center Medical Center Unit.

• Phone: (202) 994-7887
• Fax: (202) 994-2542
• Email: bscsjs@gwumc.edu or simmens@gwu.edu

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.

Education

Master of Arts (Community Psychology), New York University, 1979
Doctor of Philosophy (Community and Quantitative Psychology), New York University, 1984

Teaching

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

Research

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.

Community Service

Professor Simmens has served as a reviewer for a number of academic journals and is a member of public health and statistical societies.

Departments

• Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Institutes & Centers

• Biostatistics Center Medical Center Unit

Research Activities

• Cancer Patterns in Gulf War Era Veterans
• Early Development and Growth Study
• The Effect of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation on the Promotion of Brain Tumors
• Evaluating Instructional Design Strategies for Graduate Medical Education
• KidsAct! Anti-Tobacco Advocacy Program Evaluation
• Panic Disorder, Parenting and Infant Neurobiology; Toddler Anxiety: Temperament/Neurophysiology & Parenting

Community Activities

• KidsAct! Anti-Tobacco Advocacy Program Evaluation

Publications

• Is testicular cancer related to Gulf War deployment? Evidence from a pilot population-based study of gulf war era veterans and cancer.
  Levine PH, Young HA, Simmens SJ, Rentz, D, Kofie V, Mahan CM, Kang HK. Is testicular cancer related to Gulf War deployment? Evidence from a pilot population-based study of gulf war era veterans and cancer. Mil Med. In press 2005.
• Dependable social relationships predict overall survival in stage II and III breast carcinoma patients.
  Weihs KL, Simmens SJ, Mizrahi J, Enright TM, Hunt ME, Siegel RS. Dependable social relationships predict overall survival in stage II and III breast carcinoma patients. J Psychosom Res. In press 2005.
• Predicting toddler anxiety/depressive symptoms: Effects of caregiver sensitivity on temperamentally vulnerable children.
  Warren SL, Simmens SJ. Predicting toddler anxiety/depressive symptoms: Effects of caregiver sensitivity on temperamentally vulnerable children. Infant Mental Health Journal 2005;26 (1):40-55.
• Expression of BP1, a novel homeobox gene, correlates with progression and invasion of mammary ductal carcinoma.
  Man Y, Fu SW, Schwartz A, Pinzone JJ, Simmens SJ, Berg PE. Expression of BP1, a novel homeobox gene, correlates with progression and invasion of mammary ductal carcinoma. Breast Cancer Research & Treatment. In press 2004.
• Prenatal nicotine exposure alters central cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia in rats: implications for sudden infant death syndrome.
  Neff RA, Simmens SJ, Evans C, Mendelowitz D. Prenatal nicotine exposure alters central cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia in rats: implications for sudden infant death syndrome. J Neurosci 2004;24 (42):9261-8.
• Factor analysis of fatiguing syndrome in Gulf War Era veterans: implications for etiology and pathogenesis.
  Young HA, Simmens SJ, Kang HK, Mahan CM, Levine PH. Factor analysis of fatiguing syndrome in Gulf War Era veterans: implications for etiology and pathogenesis. J Occup Environ Med 2003 Dec;45 (12):1268-73.
• Maternal panic disorder: infant temperament, neurophysiology and parenting behaviors.
  Warren SL, Gunnar MR, Kagan J, Anders F, Simmens SJ, Rones M, et al. Maternal panic disorder: infant temperament, neurophysiology and parenting behaviors. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2003;42:814-25.
• Anthropometric measures, cytokines and survival in haemodialysis patients.
  Kimmel PL, Chawla LS, Amarasinghe A, Peterson RA, Weihs KL, Simmens SJ et al. Anthropometric measures, cytokines and survival in haemodialysis patients. Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation 2003;18(2):326-32.
• Correlation of expression of BP1, a homeobox gene, with estrogen receptor status in breast cancer.
  Fu S, Schwartz A, Stevenson H, Pinzone JJ, Davenport GJ, Orenstein JM, Gutierrez P, Simmens SJ, et al. Correlation of expression of BP1, a homeobox gene, with estrogen receptor status in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research 2003;5:R82-7.
• Natural history of primary canine hookworm infections following three different oral doses of third-stage infective larvae of Ancylostoma caninum.
  Hotez PJ, Bin Z, Bethony J, Jin Q, Hawdon JM, Young HA, Simmens SJ, et al. Natural history of primary canine hookworm infections following three different oral doses of third-stage infective larvae of Ancylostoma caninum. Comparative Parasitology 2002;69:72-80.
• Treatment expectancies, patient alliance, and outcome: Further analyses from the NIMH treatment of depression collaborative research program.
  Meyer B, Pilkonis P, Krupnick JL, Egan M, Simmens SJ, Sotsky S. Treatment expectancies, patient alliance, and outcome: Further analyses from the NIMH treatment of depression collaborative research program. J Consult Clin Psych 2002;70:1051-5.
• Evidence for a deployment-related Gulf War Syndrome by factor analysis.
  Kang HK, Simmens SJ, Mahan CM, Young HA, Lee KY, Levine PL, et al. Evidence for a deployment-related Gulf War Syndrome by factor analysis. Arch Environ Health 2002;57:61-8.
• The effects of 860 MHz radiofrequency irradiation on the induction or promotion of brain tumors and other neoplasms in rats.
  Zook BC, Simmens SJ. The effects of 860 MHz radiofrequency irradiation on the induction or promotion of brain tumors and other neoplasms in rats. Radiat Res 2001;155:572-83.
• Dyadic relationship conflict, gender, and mortality in urban hemodialysis patients.
  Kimmel PL, Peterson RA, Weihs KL, Shidler N, Simmens SJ, Alleyne S, et al. Dyadic relationship conflict, gender, and mortality in urban hemodialysis patients. J Am Soc Nephrol 2000;11:1518-25.
• Natural disaster and depression: a prospective investigation of reactions to the 1993 Midwest floods.
  Ginexi E, Weihs K, Simmens SJ, Hoyt DR. Natural disaster and depression: a prospective investigation of reactions to the 1993 Midwest floods. Am J Community Psychol 2000;28:495-518.
• Negative affectivity, restriction of emotions, and site of metastases predict mortality in recurrent breast cancer.
  Weihs KL, Enright T, Simmens SJ, Reiss D. Negative affectivity, restriction of emotions, and site of metastases predict mortality in recurrent breast cancer. J Psychosom Res 2000;49:59-68.
• Relation of therapeutic alliance and perfectionism to outcome in brief outpatient treatment of depression.
  Zuroff DC, Blatt SJ, Sotsky SM, Krupnick JL, Martin DJ, Sanislow CA, Simmens SJ. Relation of therapeutic alliance and perfectionism to outcome in brief outpatient treatment of depression. J Consult Clin Psych 2000;68:114-24.
• Evaluation of ENU-induced gliomas in rats: nomenclature, immunochemistry and malignancy
  Zook BC, Simmens SJ, Jones RV. Evaluation of ENU-induced gliomas in rats: nomenclature, immunochemistry and malignancy. Toxicol Pathol 2000;28:193-201.
• Multiple measurements of depression predict mortality in a longitudinal study of chronic hemodialysis outpatients.
  Kimmel PL, Peterson RA, Weihs KL, Simmens SJ, Alleyne S, Cruz I, et al. Multiple measurements of depression predict mortality in a longitudinal study of chronic hemodialysis outpatients. Kidney Int 2000;57:2093-8.
• Sibling comparison of differential parental treatment in adolescence: gender, self-esteem, and emotionality as mediators of the parenting-adjustment association.
  Feinberg ME, Neiderhiser JM, Simmens S, Reiss D, Hetherington EM. Sibling comparison of differential parental treatment in adolescence: gender, self-esteem, and emotionality as mediators of the parenting-adjustment association. Child Dev 2000;71:1611-28.
• Interdialytic weight gain and survival in hemodialysis patients: Effects of duration of ESRD and presence of diabetes mellitus.
  Kimmel PL, Varela MP, Peterson RA, Weihs KL, Simmens SJ, Alleyne S, et al. Interdialytic weight gain and survival in hemodialysis patients: Effects of duration of ESRD and presence of diabetes mellitus. Kidney Int 2000;57:1141-51.
• Results of a survey evaluating web-based learning experiences of students and faculty participating in a multi-institutional demonstration project.
  Johnson, J., Posey, L., & Simmens, S.J. (2005). Faculty and Student Perceptions of Web-Based Learning. The American Journal for Nurse Practitioners.
• Report of a small to moderate size study examining neurological tumors in rats related to Ethylnitrosourea.
  Zook, B.C., & Simmens, S.J.. (2005). Neurogenic Tumors in Rats Induced by Ethylnitrosourea. Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, 57, 7-14.
• A longitudinal study examining the associations among family characteristics, and child depressive symptoms and asthma severity.
  Wood, B. L., Miller, B. D., Lim, J., Lillis, K., Ballow, M., Stern, T., & Simmens, S. (2006). Family relational factors in pediatric depression and asthma: Pathways of effect. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 45(12), 1494-1502.
• A cross-sectional study of the relationship between maternal panic disorder and prematurity and low birth weight in infants.
  Warren, S.L., Racu, C., Gregg, V., & Simmens, S.J. (2006). Maternal Panic Disorder: Infant Prematurity and Low Birth Weight . Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 20(3), 342-352.
• A study of the association between maternal depressive symptoms and child sleep difficulties, based on the secondary analysis of a large survey database..
  Warren, S.L., Howe, G., Simmens, S.J., & Dahl, R.E. (2006). Maternal depressive symptoms and child sleep: Models of mutual influence over time. Development and Psychopathology, 18, 1-16.
• A randomized experiment testing whether a particular radiofrequency of electromagnetic radiation (formerly) used in cell phones promotes neurologic tumors.
  Zook, B.C., & Simmens, S.J. (2006). The Effects of pulsed 860 MHz radiofrequency radiation on the promotion of neurologic tumors in rats. Radiation Research, 165, 608-615.
• A study to identify the location and correlates of integrins in epithelial cells.
  Pajoohesh-Ganji, A., Pal-Ghosh, S., Simmens, S.J. & Stepp, M.A. (2006). Integrins in slow cycling corneal epithelial cells at the limbus in the mouse. Stem Cells, 24, 1075-1086.
• A pilot study to examine alternative diagnostic criteria for anxiety among toddlers.
  Warren, S.L., Umylny, P., Aron, E., & Simmens, S.J. Toddler Anxiety Disorders: A Pilot Study. (2006). Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 45(7), 859-866.
• Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of health effects associated with an NEA sponsored demonstration project to provide cultural programs to older individuals.
  Cohen, G.D., Pearlstein, S., Chapline, J.K, Kelley, J., Firth, K., & Simmens, S.J. (2006). The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on the Physical Health, Mental Health, And Social Functioning of Older Adults. The Gerontologist, 46(6), 726–734.
• Evaluation of a a simple medical education innovation - encouraging medical students to spend a few moments reflection during a clinical exam.
  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.
• Results of a detailed clinical evaluation of veterans for evidence of a war 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. (in press, 2007). A Study of Gulf War Veterans with a Possible Deployment -Related Syndrome. Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health.
• 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.
• Close Relationships and Emotional Processing Predict Decreased Mortality in Women with Breast Cancer: Preliminary Evidence.
  Weihs, K.L., Enright, T.M., & Simmens, S.J. (in press, 2007). Close Relationships and Emotional Processing Predict Decreased Mortality in Women with Breast Cancer: Preliminary Evidence. Psychosomatic Medicine.
• 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.