Jiang Recognized for Statistical Innovation

Siteman Cancer Center research member co-developed AI platform to predict breast cancer risk

WashU Medicine cancer biostatistician Shu (Joy) Jiang, PhD, a research member at Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Annie T. Randall Innovator Award.

The award, presented by the American Statistical Association, recognizes early-career statistical innovators with a tenacious and resolute commitment to excellence. Recipients have represented a variety of disciplines.

Jiang, an associate professor of surgery in the Division of Public Health Sciences at WashU Medicine, is the co-developer of technology that harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze mammograms and improve the accuracy of predicting a woman’s personalized five-year risk of developing breast cancer. Last year, the software received Breakthrough Device designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was acquired by Lunit, a leading company in developing AI-based technologies for cancer prevention and early detection.

The award was named in honor of pathbreaking Black female statistician Annie T. Randall for her pioneering career in government amid pervasive racial discrimination.

Jiang will be recognized at the 2026 Joint Statistical Meetings, the biggest conference for statisticians and data scientists globally, Aug. 1-6 in Boston.