Dr. Norman Breslow, who died December 9, had a profound effect on the field of modern biostatistics as well as the lives of young children diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer known as Wilms tumor.

The ideal biostatistician

The son of Dr. Lester Breslow, an epidemiologist and public health leader who proved scientifically that healthier habits lead to longer lives, Breslow majored in math at Reed College and, subsequently, earned his doctorate in statistics at Stanford University.

Fred Hutch biostatistician Dr. Ruth Etzioni, who mentored under him as a postdoctoral fellow and reconnected with him in later years, said this upbringing may have been one reason Breslow had the “unique ability to have one foot in biostatistical methods and another in the epidemiology of cancer.”

“There are a lot of outstanding methodologists but few people who really straddle these disciplines and have made seminal contributions to multiple disciplines,” she said. “But that’s what he was. He had a lot of greatness. He had a brilliant mind.”

For many academic leaders, Breslow defined the ideal biostatistician: a deeply committed scholar and scientist who constantly worked to advance the field by nurturing the careers of young researchers, striving to make biostatistics accessible and collaborating with colleagues globally through his involvement in the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization.

Fred Hutch’s Dr. Ross Prentice, former director of PHS, called him a “major force” whose work was characterized by persistence, rigor and depth of engagement in substantive aspects.

“His accessible and careful writing has impacted and enhanced biomedical research worldwide,” he said.

An inspiring mentor

Indeed, his two books Statistical Methods in Cancer Research I and II, co-written with Dr. Nicholas E. Day, became essential texts for both epidemiologists and statisticians in the field of cancer research, and many of the young scientists he mentored have gone on to become leaders in the field.

“It was truly a privilege to be Norm’s student,” said Dr. Xihong Lin, professor and chair of biostatistics at Harvard University. “He was an inspiring, supportive, and caring mentor … and a remarkable human being. His high scientific standard, deep commitment to excellence, outstanding leadership style, sincere dedication to our profession and strong professional ethics have had a profound impact on me. He is my lifetime role model.”

The longtime biostatistician was also keenly interested in the biology of cancer and in improving both treatment and outcomes for patients.

“He was an extremely strong and world-renowned statistician from a mathematical standpoint and a creative standpoint,” said Dr. Wendy Leisenring, a Fred Hutch clinical researcher and public health biostatistician who knew Breslow for 23 years. “But he also really loved the science part and he could speak to oncologists and other physicians on their level about the treatments. His focus was getting at the crux of a scientific question through good study design and good methods of analysis.”

Breslow’s many honors include the Spiegelman Gold Medal from the American Public Health Association, the Marvin Zelen Leadership award in Statistical Science from Harvard University, the Snedecor and R.A. Fisher awards from the Council of Presidents of Statistical Societies and the Medal of Honor from the IARC. He also had the singular distinction of simultaneous membership in the American Association for the Advancement of Science with his late father.