James H. Ware 1941-2016

As many of you now know, Jim Ware, the Frederick Mosteller Professor of Biostatistics and Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Science, passed away April 26 after a long battle with cancer.

Jim was a deeply respected and admired member of the Harvard Chan School community for nearly 40 years.  He was internationally recognized for his publications on the design and analysis of longitudinal and multi-level physiologic, clinical, and biological studies and on methodologic issues in clinical trials research.

Jim was a co-investigator in the landmark Six Cities Study of Air Pollution and Health, which has had a profound effect on Clean Air Act regulations in the U.S. and efforts to limit air pollution around the world. He was also a statistical consultant to the New England Journal of Medicine for more than 20 years, where he also served on the editorial board.

Service to the School was also extremely important to Jim. He was Dean for Academic Affairs from 1990 to 2009, where he had a deep and significant effect on shaping the School’s academic and research vision—a legacy upon which the School of today is built. 

One of his greatest sources of pride, Jim was an extremely popular and inspirational teacher. He taught clinical trials research methods (BIO214) for many years and had a unique ability to communicate complex ideas in a straightforward manner to a diverse audience.

Jim was the embodiment of what we all hope for in a colleague and mentor – generous with his time, eternally optimistic, enthusiastic, supportive, and kind. 

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A symposium and reception to celebrate Jim’s life and career was held on Friday afternoon – we will share full coverage of the event in next week’s newsletter.
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The James H. Ware Financial Aid Fund has been established in Jim’s honor, as a tribute to his service as Academic Dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and as a faculty member in the School’s Department of Biostatistics. We hope you will consider contributing to this fund. If we can reach gifts totaling $250,000, it will be renamed the James H. Ware Fellowship Fund.

To give online: www.hsph.harvard.edu/give select “James H. Ware Financial Aid Fund” from the drop-down menu

To give by check: send to

Harvard Chan School Gift Processing
c/o Office of the Recording Secretary
124 Mount Auburn Street, 4th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138.

*Please enclose a note saying it is for the James H. Ware Financial Aid Fund.