Danni Yu
About Danni Yu
Danni Yu serves as the Executive Director of Biostatistics at Nektar Therapeutics, bringing extensive experience in clinical studies across oncology and immunology. With a strong academic background in statistics and previous roles at Eli Lilly and Company and Purdue University, Yu has contributed to various clinical trials targeting multiple pathways.
Current Role at Nektar Therapeutics
Danni Yu currently serves as the Executive Director of Biostatistics at Nektar Therapeutics, a position held since 2023. In this role, Yu oversees biostatistical strategies and provides leadership in the design and analysis of clinical trials. This position follows a progression within Nektar Therapeutics, where Yu previously held the role of Senior Director of Biostatistics from 2022 to 2023 and Director of Biostatistics from 2020 to 2022. Yu's expertise contributes to the company's focus on innovative therapies in oncology and immunology.
Experience at Eli Lilly and Company
Prior to joining Nektar Therapeutics, Danni Yu worked at Eli Lilly and Company as a Senior Research Scientist Statistician specializing in oncology from 2013 to 2020. During this seven-year tenure, Yu was responsible for leading statistical efforts for clinical studies in oncology, providing critical insights that supported the development of new cancer therapies. This experience enhanced Yu's proficiency in biostatistics within the pharmaceutical industry.
Academic Background and Education
Danni Yu earned a Ph.D. in Statistics from Purdue University, where studies were conducted from 2006 to 2013. Additionally, Yu obtained a Master of Science in Mathematical Statistics from the same institution, completing this degree in 2008. This strong academic foundation in statistics has been instrumental in Yu's career, particularly in biostatistics and clinical trial support.
Previous Research Experience
Before transitioning to the pharmaceutical industry, Danni Yu gained valuable research experience as a Research Assistant at Purdue University from 2006 to 2013. Yu also held positions at the National Institutes of Health, including Special Volunteer and Summer Intern Fellow in 2011. Furthermore, Yu completed a Predoctoral Fellowship at EMBL in Heidelberg, Germany, for three months in 2011. These roles provided a diverse background in research methodologies and statistical analysis.
Clinical Trial Support and Expertise
Danni Yu has extensive experience in supporting clinical studies across various phases, particularly in oncology and immunology. Yu has provided statistical support for clinical trials targeting a range of pathways, including AURKA, CD73, CDK4/6, and PD-1/PD-L1, among others. This expertise in clinical trial design and analysis is a key component of Yu's professional contributions in the biostatistics field.