Bio
I am a Biostatistics PhD candidate at the University of Michigan, with an expected graduation date of May 2027. I work with Dr. Kelley Kidwell and Dr. Bingkai Wang on statistical methods for Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trials (SMARTs).
My dissertation develops methods for zero-inflated longitudinal outcomes and baseline-adjusted estimation in SMARTs. My broader interests include adaptive interventions, clinical trials, longitudinal data analysis, and statistical methods for improving the precision and interpretability of treatment comparisons.
I earned an MS in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan in 2023 and a BS in Financial Mathematics and BA in Economics from Pacific Lutheran University in 2021.
Research Interests
- Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trials: A type of multi-stage, factorial, randomized trial, in which some or all participants are randomized at two or more decision points
- Clinical and Collaborative Research: Applications in behavioral interventions, oncology, and complex clinical trials.
Selected Work
Venera, H., Walton, M., Wang, B., & Kidwell, K. Hurdle Models for Zero-Inflated Outcomes in Sequential, Multiple Assignment, Randomized Trials. (2026). Under review at Biometrics Practice.
Nahum-Shani, I., Dziak, J., Venera, H., Spring, B., & Dempsey, W. Design of Experiments with Sequential Randomizations at Multiple Time Scales: The Hybrid Experimental Designs. Behavior Research Methods, 56(3), 1770–1792. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-023-02119-z
Professional Affiliations
Statistics in the Community (STATCOM) | Member since 2021
The American Statistical Association (ASA) | Member since 2021
Eastern North American Region (ENAR): International Biometric Society (IBS) | Member since 2023
Society for Clinical Trials (SCT) | Member since 2025
Outside Work
I grew up in North Idaho and completed my undergraduate education in Tacoma, Washington, including a semester abroad in Granada, Spain. Outside work, I enjoy cooking, soccer, climbing, and spending time with dogs — especially my Australian Shepard, Turtle.