Debbie M. Cheng, ScD

Professor, Boston University School of Public Health

Biography

Debbie M. Cheng is a Professor of Biostatistics and Assistant Dean of Data Science at the Boston University School of Public Health, where she is also the founding Executive Director of the Center for Health Data Science. She serves as Director of Strategy and Partnerships for Boston University’s university-wide AI Developmental Accelerator (AIDA). She is also Co-Director of the Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). Her research focuses on applied statistics and clinical trial design and analysis, with particular emphasis on the intersection of substance use and HIV. She leads interdisciplinary initiatives that integrate data science with public health and clinical research to advance evidence-based solutions.

Publications

  • Published 6/3/2026

    Truong V, Kekibiina A, Muyindike WR, Gnatienko N, Tsui JI, Emenyonu NI, Cheng DM, Hahn JA, Allison O, Bullard MJ, Lunze K, Samet JH. Gabapentin to achieve HIV viral load suppression in people with risky drinking in Mbarara, Uganda: study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (GRAIL). Trials. 2026 Jun 03. PMID: 42237416.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/28/2026

    Rossi SL, Cheng DM, Sereda Y, Truong V, Carroll JJ, Kiriazova T, Lodi S, Michals A, Raj A, Krupitsky E, Lioznov D, Samet JH, Lunze K. COVID-19 pandemic-related stress and substance use behaviors among people with HIV - a mixed method analysis. PLoS One. 2026; 21(5):e0349567. PMID: 42207818.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 1/18/2026

    Rich ZC, Tindle HA, Cheng DM, Stein MD, Gnatienko N, Bendiks S, Forman L, Patts GJ, Krupitsky E, Freiberg MS, Samet JH. Assessing the impact of nicotinic partial agonists compared to NRT on opioid and cigarette use: A secondary analysis investigating treatment outcomes for co-occurring nicotine and opioid use. J Subst Use Addict Treat. 2026 May; 184:209904. PMID: 41558587.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 10/15/2025

    Truong V, Kekibiina A, Muyindike W, Gnatienko N, Tsui JI, Emenyonu NI, Cheng DM, Hahn J, Allison O, Bullard MJ, Lunze K, Samet JH. Gabapentin to achieve HIV viral load suppression in people with risky drinking in Mbarara, Uganda: study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (GRAIL). Res Sq. 2025 Oct 15. PMID: 41282191.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 10/11/2025

    El-Bassel N, Samet JH, Cheng DM, Freisthler B, John Winhusen T, Walsh SL. Response to the Editor: Re: registration and multiple outcome testing in the HEALing Communities Study by Dennis M. Gorman and Ben G. Fitzpatrick. Int J Drug Policy. 2025 Nov; 145:105029. PMID: 41077014.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 233 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Assistant Dean of Data Science
    Boston University School of Public Health
  • Executive Director, Center for Health Data Science
    Boston University School of Public Health
  • Faculty, Medicine
    Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Websites

Education

  • Harvard University, ScD
  • Northwestern University, BS

View all profiles