Dr. Pianpian Cao

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Dr. Cao’s primary research interests lie at the interface of Epidemiology, Statistics, and Mathematics. She specializes in utilizing mathematical and statistical models along with epidemiological methods to understand cancer etiology, progression, and survival outcomes, as well as to study cancer prevention and control strategies. Her current research falls into major categories: assessing the performance of cancer control strategies and understanding trends in cancer rates and risk factor exposures across populations. Dr. Cao developed a lung cancer natural history screening model used to conduct studies assessing potential population benefits and harms of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening. She has also led analyses to understand smoking patterns in relation to sociodemographic factors, including race/ethnicity, education, and income, using age-period-cohort models. Her work has contributed to national lung cancer prevention and tobacco control policies and regulations.

Research Interests

Requirements for Purdue University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:135
Overall
Required:135
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in CS or related field Foundational concepts of computer science Data structures Computer architecture Operating systems Mathematics through differential equations Linear and matrix algebra
Application Checklist
  • Official Transcripts
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Resume
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • CS Supplementary Form
Specialization Notes

GRE is not required.