Dr Sam Leary
Dr. Sam Leary, an Associate Professor in Applied Statistics at the University of Bristol, boasts a rich and diverse background in research and education. Her journey began with a degree in Probability and Statistics from the University of Sheffield, followed by an MSc in Biometry (with a focus on medical statistics) at the University of Reading. Extending a brief stint as a statistician at the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit in Southampton, Dr. Leary embarked on a part-time PhD in Epidemiology, balancing research projects in India alongside her studies.
In 2003, Dr. Leary made the move to Bristol, where she initially worked as a research fellow on the groundbreaking Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Subsequently, she secured a lectureship at the Bristol Dental School in 2007. Her work spans various oral health projects, and she played a crucial role in the NIHR-funded Nutrition Biomedical Research Unit and the Nutrition Theme of the Biomedical Research Centre. Previous experience in cleft research includes co-supervision of postdoctoral dental students leading to multiple publications, being part of the study team for CleftCare UK, and being a member of the Cleft Collective Project Management Group. Dr. Leary’s passion extends beyond research; she designs and leads research methods courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Additionally, she serves as the head of staff support and development within Bristol Dental School, and is on the Steering Group for the NIHR Statistics Group, for which she established the career development section
