Christopher Corcoran

Awards

Faculty Researcher of the Year, College of Science - 2012
Top Professor, Mortar Board Honor Society USU Chapter - 2002

Biography

Chris Corcoran is the Department Head for Data Analytics + Information Systems and the inaugural David B. Haight Professor of Analytics in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. Dr. Corcoran earned a bachelor’s degree in Statistics with a minor in Computer Science from Utah State University, and completed his doctorate in Biostatistics at Harvard University. Prior to joining the Huntsman School, Dr. Corcoran served as a faculty member and department head in USU’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics.  

Dr. Corcoran’s research focuses on statistical and computational methods for analyzing data from studies with rare or sparse outcomes. He has served as a consultant in developing software tools widely used by biotech and biopharmaceutical companies. Dr. Corcoran also has extensive experience as a senior statistician with large biomedical and public health studies of complex outcomes, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, autism, birth defects, cognitive change and aging, hip fracture, and genetic causes of human disease. His research collaborations have been supported by over $25 million in research funding and have yielded over 100 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. Dr. Corcoran was recognized as the College of Science Faculty Researcher of the Year in 2012.

Dr. Corcoran loves working with students. He has personally mentored dozens of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students over his career, and has taught courses in introductory analytics, regression methods, categorical data analysis, mathematical statistics, and advanced computing methods for data analysis. He has been previously recognized during his career as the Faculty Teacher of the Year in Mathematics and Statistics. Under Dr. Corcoran’s leadership, the Department of Data Analytics + Information Systems has developed undergraduate and master’s tracks to accelerate the rapidly expanding professional opportunities for students in data and tech, including programs in Data Analytics, Data Engineering, Web Development, and Cybersecurity. These programs provide hands-on experiences for students in Python coding, web development and programming, database management, data visualization, data mining, cloud computing, machine learning and AI, and enterprise security. Dr. Corcoran also helped to create the Analytics Solutions Center, partnering with companies to provide opportunities for students to solve complex real-world problems.     

In his spare time, Chris loves spending time with his family, reading good books, watching Aggie athletics, and trail running and hiking in the mountains and canyons across the spectacular western United States.