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January 2019 • Issue #499 AMSTATNEWS The Membership Magazine of the American Statistical Association • http://magazine.amstat.org

International Prize in Statistics Awarded to Stanford's BRADLEY EFRON ALSO: New Master's or Doctoral Data Science and Analytics Programs II To Join or Not to Join A(nother) Section or Interest Group Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty Assistant, Associate or Full Professor Department of Biostatistics

The Department of Biostatistics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is seeking candidates for multiple term tenure or term tenure-track faculty positions at the assistant, associate, or full professor level. The department invites applications from qualified individuals able to establish themselves as research leaders and demonstrate prowess in interdisciplinary collaborative scientific research. We are willing to consider researchers who can contribute to the development of methodology and its applications to biomedical research, and are particularly interested in individuals in research areas relating to early detection and cancer screening, clinical trial design, imaging, computer-intensive methodology including machine learning, and integrative analyses of multi-platform high-dimensional data including genomic, proteomic and microbiome data analysis. A Ph.D. in statistics, biostatistics or a related field is required.

The Department of Biostatistics has 20 faculty members and 40 master’s- and doctoral-level research analysts and more than 12 postdoctoral fellows. Faculty members are actively involved in collaborative and methodological research in such diverse areas as clinical trial design, cancer screening and early detection, bioinformatics, genomic pathway analysis, network analysis, integrative modeling of multiple types of complex data including high-dimensional omic data, functional data analysis, Bayesian methodology, longitudinal and survival analysis, statistical genetics, population health research and behavioral/social statistics. Faculty collaborate with scientists in all cancer areas and levels of cancer research including drug discovery, preclinical studies, population-based studies and clinical trials. This includes work with world- class researchers such as James Allison, the 2018 Nobel Prize winner for medicine, and involves large-scale studies and programs including the Moon Shots program that produce large and important cancer data sets requiring quantitative input and with translational impact potential. Faculty members also have opportunities in the affiliated biostatistics doctoral programs at the University of Texas, Texas A&M University and Rice University. The department is supported by strong resources, which includes an active quantitative research computing team with specialties in database design, web-based clinical trial support, scientific programming and software engineering. Information about the department and programs offered can be found at http://www3.mdanderson.org/depts/biostatistics/. Further questions regarding the position may be directed to one of the co-chairs on the selection committee: Jeffrey Morris ([email protected]), Yu Shen ([email protected]), or Ying Yuan ([email protected]) with the subject line “faculty position 2019” in the e-mail.

MD Anderson Cancer Center offers competitive salaries and an outstanding benefits package. Houston is one of the world’s most innovative and diverse cities, nurturing great neighborhoods, competitive private and public schools, an exceptional music and theater scene, highly acclaimed museums, international cuisine and year-round outdoor recreational activities.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter outlining the relevance of their research experience and interests, curriculum vitae, a brief statement of current and proposed research plan and three letters of recommendation to: Faculty Search Committee, Department of Biostatistics The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center P.O. Box 301402, Houston, TX 77230-1402 Email: [email protected]

MD Anderson Cancer Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws, unless such distinction is required by law. All positions at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center are security sensitive and subject to examination of criminal history record information. Smoke-free and drug-free environment. AMSTATNEWS JANUARY 2019 • ISSUE #499

Executive Director Ron Wasserstein: [email protected] Associate Executive Director and Director of Operations features Stephen Porzio: [email protected] 3 President's Corner Director of Science Policy Steve Pierson: [email protected] 5 Highlights of the November 2018 ASA Board of Directors Meeting Director of Strategic Initiatives and Outreach Donna LaLonde: [email protected] 7 New Sections Added to Journal of Statistics Education Director of Education 7 Board of Elections Calls for Nominations Rebecca Nichols: [email protected] 8 NISS-Merck-HPSS Meet-Up Focuses on RWD Managing Editor Megan Murphy: [email protected] 10 A SAMSI Update Editor and Content Strategist 11 International Study Program Offers Mathematical Sciences Val Nirala: [email protected] with Dose of Culture Production Coordinators/Graphic Designers Olivia Brown: [email protected] 11 Significance Highlights: December Issue Covers Thorny Issues Megan Ruyle: [email protected] 12 International Prize in Statistics Awarded to Stanford's Bradley Efron Advertising Manager Claudine Donovan: [email protected] 14 New Master's or Doctoral Data Science and Analytics Programs II

Contributing Staff Members 21 Lifetime Data Science (LiDS) Is Newest ASA Section Naomi Friedman • Lara Harmon 22 To Join or Not to Join A(nother) Section or Interest Group?

Amstat News welcomes news items and letters from readers on matters of interest to the association and the profession. Address correspondence to Managing Editor, Amstat News, American Statistical Association, 732 North Washington Street, Alexandria VA 22314-1943 USA, or email amstat@ columns amstat.org. Items must be received by the first day of the preceding month to ensure appearance in the next issue (for example, June 1 for the July issue). Material can be sent as a Microsoft Word document, PDF, or within an email. 25 PASTIMES OF STATISTICIANS Articles will be edited for space. Accompanying artwork will be accepted What Does Doug Tyson Like to Do When He Is Not in graphics file formats only (.jpg, etc.), minimum 300 dpi. No material in WordPerfect will be accepted. Being a Statistician? Amstat News (ISSN 0163-9617) is published monthly by the American Statistical Association, 732 North Washington Street, Alexandria VA 22314- This column focuses on what statisticians do when they are not being statisticians. 1943 USA. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, Virginia, and additional If you would like to share your pastime with readers, please email Megan Murphy, mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Amstat News, 732 Amstat News managing editor, at [email protected]. North Washington Street, Alexandria VA 22314-1943 USA. Send Canadian address changes to APC, PO Box 503, RPO West Beaver Creek, Rich Hill, 26 STATS4GOOD ON L4B 4R6. Annual subscriptions are $50 per year for nonmembers. Amstat Data for Good: The Year in Review News is the member publication of the ASA. For annual membership rates, see www.amstat.org/join or contact ASA Member Services at (888) 231-3473. This column is written for those interested in learning about the world of Data for American Statistical Association Good, where statistical analysis is dedicated to good causes that benefit our lives, 732 North Washington Street our communities, and our world. If you would like to know more or have ideas for Alexandria, VA 22314–1943 USA articles, contact David Corliss at [email protected]. (703) 684–1221 ASA GENERAL: [email protected] 28 STATtr@k ADDRESS CHANGES: [email protected] From Graduate Student to Assistant Professor AMSTAT EDITORIAL: [email protected] STATtr@k is a column in Amstat News and a website geared toward people who ADVERTISING: [email protected] are in a statistics program, recently graduated from a statistics program, or recently WEBSITE: http://magazine.amstat.org entered the job world. To read more articles like this one, visit the website at Printed in USA © 2019 American Statistical Association http://stattrak.amstat.org. If you have suggestions for future articles, or would like to submit an article, please email Megan Murphy, Amstat News managing editor, at [email protected]. 30 MASTER'S NOTEBOOK Making Decisions for a Long, Satisfying Career ® This column is written for statisticians with master's degrees and highlights areas of employment that will benefit statisticians at the master's level. Comments and sug- The American Statistical Association is the world’s largest gestions should be sent to Megan Murphy, Amstat News managing editor, at megan@ community of statisticians. The ASA supports excellence in amstat.org. the development, application, and dissemination of statistical science through meetings, publications, membership services, education, accreditation, and advocacy. Our members serve in industry, government, and academia in more than 90 countries, advancing research and promoting sound statistical practice to inform public policy and improve human welfare. In 2017, Mathematics Awareness Month became Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month (MSAM). Two years later, we are still not done celebrating! Here at the ASA, we’re already preparing for April 2019. Keep your eyes on Amstat News for updates as spring approaches and we roll out the fun. In the works: a poster, virtual science fair, and live Q&A sessions about departments solving problems with statistics for students and teachers. 32 meetings Invited Session Proposals Wanted for ICES VI

Larry Lesser of The University of Texas at El Paso repurposed Madonna’s signature song (and #2 hit), “Material Girl,” written by Peter Brown and Robert Rans, member news to teach the empirical rule. 33 People News Empirical Rule 36 Awards and Deadlines lyric © 2017 Lawrence M. Lesser 39 Section • Chapter • Committee News Data values normally are 42 Calendar of Events no more far away 45 Professional Opportunities Than 3 standard deviations from the mean displayed. And within 2 deviations, 19 of 20 lie, that’s right! And within 1 deviation, 2/3 are confined, CHORUS: ‘Cause we are living in an empirical world and I need an empirical tool. You know that we are living in an empirical world and I use the empirical rule! If I think a population looks bell curve to me, The rule helps tag outliers like a z-score more than 3. But if the population may not take the normal shape (no way!), Frequencies that you expect can Bay Area Biotech-Pharma Statistics Workshop a Great Venue for Learning, Networking–Page 34 help you ascertain.

(Repeat Chorus)

CORRECTION On Page 33 of the December issue, the members of the Indiana student chapter were listed Follow us on Twitter under their photo in the wrong order. They are, from www.twitter.com/AmstatNews left: Maggie Christy (student volunteer), Vahid Andalib (chapter officer), Alex White (chapter officer), and Aida Join the ASA Community http://community.amstat.org Yazdanparast (chapter officer). Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/AmstatNews

2 amstat news january 2019 president's corner New Year’s Resolution: Working Together to Make an Impact with Statistics t is a pleasure to serve as ASA president as we Committee chair, ably assisted by co-chairs Nicole welcome 2019 and to have the opportunity to Lazar and Duane Steffey and the rest of the hard- Ithank our many members who make the ASA a working program committee, to carry this theme professional home for statisticians and data ana- into action. The deadline for submitting a contrib- lysts, as it has been for me. I was honored and grat- uted paper or poster is February 1, so I hope many ified to receive many offers of help, as the ASA of you will share your experiences of making an would not exist without its members. I hope the impact with your colleagues at JSM. I look forward year will be an exciting one for all of us. to seeing and hearing about them! Among the many members who deserve special My three initiatives center on promoting the thanks are those who serve on our annual board of ASA’s leadership in identifying problems and coor- directors; lead our chapters, sections, and commit- dinating efforts where statistics, through collabora- Karen Kafadar tees; and participate in their activities. The real work tion with others, can make a difference. My first of ASA is done by them and by you, facilitated by initiative is an example of one such problem, the the hard-working ASA staff, and I am grateful to all second generalizes to a structure that makes collabo- of you for your ideas and efforts. Keep those ideas ration possible, and the third addresses the recruit- coming! They are key to the ASA’s success, impact, ment of talent needed to solve these problems. and relevance to our membership and society. Every ASA president is asked to pursue initia- ‘Fake News’ (‘Disinformation’) tives that, we hope, will outlive the president and As one JSM attendee mentioned to me last year, take on lives of their own. In developing initiatives errors in reporting and journalism are not new. But for 2019, I reflected on my remarks prepared in today’s technology can spread disinformation at the March 2017 issue of Amstat News (https://maga- lightning speed, sometimes with disastrous conse- zine.amstat.org/blog/2017/03/01/2018-asa-board-of- quences. Understanding how claims are spread via directors-candidates). social media and online communities is essential to Our discipline faces many challenges, both ensuring the public is not misled by “fake news.” technical and professional. We have seen how the Computer scientists are developing algorithms to work of statisticians has made enormous contribu- classify stories and images as “legitimate” or “ille- tions in many fields of science and policy. How gitimate” (some, if not most, news articles have ele- can we continue to make those contributions in ments of both); see, for example, the March 9, 2018, the face of rapidly changing technologies, data issue of Science. Statisticians have worked on classifi- collection, and computation? Our strengths lie cation since well before Fisher’s linear discriminant in collecting and analyzing data and in drawing analysis. But the volume, variety, and nature of news inferences from them. Other disciplines continue articles are immense, so “classification” algorithms to challenge us in these areas, but I believe we can need both sound theoretical foundations and the prevail by facing complex problems and showing knowledge to implement them even faster than the our skills and impact. stories can be generated. Accordingly, the theme for JSM 2019 (July 27 I am delighted that this initiative is under the – August 1 in Denver, Colorado) is “Making an able leadership of 2016 ASA President Jessica Utts, Impact.” Many of us—certainly I—chose this pro- whose themes during her tenure included “commu- fession out of a hopeful desire to solve real problems nication with the media” and “statistical education,” that will have lasting societal effects. Impactful work and Jun Yang, co-chair of Duke’s computer science can arise as academic teaching and research, govern- department who has contributed much research in ment advice and policy, and industrial operations this area. They hope to develop the following: and strategies. • A research agenda and plan for encouraging I am pleased Richard Levine of San Diego State statisticians and data scientists to engage in University has agreed to serve as 2019 JSM Program research and collaborate in this area

january 2019 amstat news 3 • A plan for creating mechanisms (public infor- • Showcase progress and outcomes of mation campaign or venues for dissemina- the collaborations tion) that will help the public understand and be less influenced by fake news. Recruiting Talent into Our Profession Our profession is filled with talented people— The membership of the task force therefore and much more talent remains untapped, largely includes statisticians, computer scientists, psycholo- because whole communities are unaware of our gists, and journalists. field. The challenges described in the first two ini- Impact tiatives require diverse talent that include domain scientists and the best statistical solutions from stat- Fake news is just one area in which statisticians, isticians we attract to our field to face big problems. in collaboration with other scientists, can make How can we collaborate with other organizations to an impact. Complex problems—such as detecting recruit talent among underserved populations who emerging epidemics, ensuring food safety, protect- would be attracted to statistics if they knew about its ing our communications, and establishing reliable importance and opportunities? standards—cannot be solved by single individuals Board member Julia Sharp has graciously agreed to or even single disciplines. What talents do these lead this initiative, whose charge includes the following: projects need, and how can the ASA be prepared to lead the research and collaboration on them with • A plan for engaging the leadership of other statistically sound approaches? organizations in establishing a joint commit- Throughout his career at the US Centers for tee that will focus on recruiting minorities and Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ASA Vice first-generation college students into statistics President David Williamson has encountered many • A plan for developing a sustainable source of high-profile situations in which his input as a stat- funding to support the initiatives of the joint istician was critical (as have we all), so I am thrilled committee David has agreed to lead this initiative. Sixty years ago, John Tukey wrote the following On what problems has your work made a dif- in The American Mathematical Monthly: ference, and how did your involvement arise? For example, can statisticians work with geologists and It is easy to look ahead and see major problems environmental scientists in assessing the risks and before us, before all the people of this country, benefits of fracking? (Byran Smucker at Miami of Ohio in which scientific and technical matters play an has agreed to serve on this task force, as he has contacts important part. … To be spared the responsibility already thinking about this problem.) We need to antic- of working on any of them would make anyone’s ipate these needs before others capitalize on our delay life simpler and more pleasant. But many, both and develop attractive, but flawed, approaches. scientists and others, will have to do what they A key aspect to the initiative’s success is the identifica- can to clarify the issues and offer good advice … tion of research areas where problems need teams that [statisticians] will have to give up the protection include statistical thinking, design, experimentation, data of unquestioned hypotheses and contribute their collection, and analysis. Donna LaLonde, ASA director best acuteness and wisdom under uncomfortable of strategic initiatives and outreach, has created a form so circumstances. you can share your thoughts about high-impact problems in which statistics can and should be involved It is a pleasure to start 2019 as ASA president at a (http://bit.ly/ASAImpact). Such identified areas will lead time when Tukey’s remarks are perhaps more impor- the task force toward types of mechanisms that can suc- tant than when he wrote them. I look forward to cessfully coordinate research teams in future years. working with you to institutionalize our efforts to The goal of this initiative will be to advise ASA seek out challenges, identify where and how statis- on mechanisms that do the following: tics can contribute, and marshal the diverse talent • Identify important problem areas in which needed to address these challenges so that we, as a statistics is needed profession, can contribute much-needed “acuteness • Coordinate teams of researchers to work on and wisdom under uncomfortable circumstances.” such problems • Make ASA members aware of high-profile, high-impact opportunities and how they can participate

4 amstat news january 2019 Highlights of the November 2018 ASA Board of Directors Meeting

SA President Lisa LaVange convened the 2018 Board of Directors final ASA Board meeting of 2018 at the ASA office in Alexandria, Virginia. The highlights • Lisa LaVange, President ofA the meeting follow. • Karen Kafadar, President-Elect Discussion Items • Barry Nussbaum, Past-President • The board received the interim report of the • Kathy Ensor, Third-Year Vice President ad hoc Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Assault and an interim summary of the • David Williamson, Second-Year questionnaire distributed to membership. The Vice President board thanked the task force for its excellent • Katherine Monti, First-Year Vice President work in developing a new policy and in making other key recommendations. • Paula Roberson, Third-Year • As it does each December, the board reviewed Council of Chapters Representative the ASA’s Strategic Plan and steps being taken • Julia Sharp, Second-Year Council to implement it. The plan continues to serve of Chapters Representative the association well. • Don Jang, First-Year Council • The board was updated on the status of The of Chapters Representative American Statistician's special issue on statistical inference, which will be published in early • Eileen King, Third-Year Council of 2019. Ron Wasserstein and Allen Schirm, Sections Representative who along with Nicole Lazar are the co- editors of the special issue, provided the board • Jim Lepkowski, Second-Year Council a “sneak preview” of the content and their of Sections Representative conclusions about it. • Katherine Halvorsen, First-Year Council • As it does annually, the board discussed of Sections Representative the status of committees in the Education • Cynthia Bocci, International Council and the Professional Issues and Representative Visibility Council. These councils serve as the connection between their committees and the • Scott Evans, Publications Representative board. The board expressed gratitude for the great work these committees do on behalf of • Amarjot Kaur, Treasurer the profession and association. • Ron Wasserstein, Executive Director and Board Secretary Action Items • The board created an ad hoc advisory com- • The board updated its statement on avoid- mittee on data science, charged with advising ing implicit bias. The previous statement was the board on steps the association should take worded to apply to awards committees. The to realize its goal of being a home for data sci- revised statement applies to all committees ence and data scientists. involved in making selections or nominations. • The board adopted a revised “ASA Activities • The board approved “Statement of Concern Conduct Policy.” (bit.ly/2RSI6iy) Quoting: for the USDA Economic Research Service “[I]t is the policy of the ASA that all partici- and on the Vital and Unique Role of Federal pants in ASA activities enjoy a welcoming Statistical Agencies (bit.ly/2zVh3w6).” In environment free from unlawful discrimina- summary, the statement said, “For the con- tion, harassment, and retaliation. We strive to tinued maximum benefit of evidence-based be a community that welcomes and supports policymaking in the food, agriculture, and people of all backgrounds and identities.” rural economy, the ASA Board of Directors

january 2019 amstat news 5 urges the USDA Economic Research Service be kept geographically in the national capital 2019 Board of Directors region and administratively in the USDA • Karen Kafadar, President Research, Education, and Economics mission • Wendy Martinez, President-Elect area at least until a comprehensive, independent cost-benefit analysis has been completed, • Lisa LaVange, Past-President reviewed, and discussed.” • David Williamson, Third-Year Vice President • The board created the Leadership Institute • Katherine Monti, Second-Year Steering Committee to oversee the institute Vice President programming, approve new endeavors, cul- • Richard De Veaux, First-Year Vice President tivate external collaborations, and advise the board about strategic opportunities in profes- • Julia Sharp, Third-Year sional development. The Leadership Institute Council of Chapters Representative will be the umbrella organization for the ASA’s • Don Jang, Second-Year Council professional development programming. of Chapters Representative • Anamaria Kazanis, First-Year Council Reported Items of Chapters Representative • Associate Executive Director and Director of • Jim Lepkowski, Third-Year Council of Operations Steve Porzio updated the board Sections Representative on ASA financials through the third quarter of 2018. He reported on revenue sources for • Katherine Halvorsen, Second-Year Council the ASA, comparing each with recent years. of Sections Representative • Mark Glickman, First-Year Council • ASA Treasurer Amarjot Kaur also updated the of Sections Representative board on the status of the ASA’s investments. Market value as of September 30 was about • Cynthia Bocci, International $21.2 million; however, Kaur noted subse- Representative quent market volatility had largely wiped out • Scott Evans, Publications Representative gains for the current year. • Amarjot Kaur, Treasurer • The board received progress reports on • Ron Wasserstein, Executive Director the strategic initiatives launched by ASA and Board Secretary President Lisa LaVange. In addition, ASA President-elect Karen Kafadar updated the board on her ideas for 2019. changes to the USDA Economic Research Service, proposed realignment of the Bureau • ASA Director of Development Amanda of Transportation Statistics within the Malloy reported that the first ASA Giving Department of Transportation, status of Day was highly successful. Some $81,000 was science and statistical agency budgets, and raised, thanks in no small part to a $30,000 continued persecution of Greek statistician matching gift provided by current and former Andreas Georgiou. board members. • Pierson, along with incoming ASA Vice • The Council of Chapters Governing President Dick De Veaux, discussed the ASA’s Board (COCGB) and Council of Sections ongoing sponsorship of the Data Science and Governing Board (COSGB) reported on Advanced Analytics Conference as part of their recent activities. The COCGB reviewed efforts to raise the profile of statistics in data many matters, including traveling courses, science in the ASA. revisions of the COC Responsibilities Manual and Charter, and chapter-to-chapter • Brian Harris-Kojetin, director of the mentoring. The COSGB also revised its Committee on National Statistics charter. It developed a leadership workshop (CNSTAT), updated the board on the latest and recognition program for section officers news from CNSTAT. Collaborations between and conducted a section annual survey. The the ASA and CNSTAT were also proposed board approved the new charters of both for board consideration. groups, subject to final Executive Committee The board next meets April 5–6, 2019, at the ASA approval after minor changes. office in Alexandria, Virginia. n • ASA Science Policy Director Steve Pierson updated the board on several important matters, including the citizenship question on the decennial census, status of proposed 6 amstat news january 2019 New Sections Added to Journal of Statistics Education Board of Jeff Witmer, JSE Editor Elections Calls for s the Journal of Statistics Education’s (JSE) newly appointed editor, Jeff Witmer will Nominations serve for the next three years and plans to add atA least two sections to the journal: Teaching Statistics Nominations are being sought for ASA in the Health Sciences and Teaching Data Science. president-elect and vice president Teaching Statistics in the Health Sciences, which candidates for the 2020 election is being headed by Matt Hayat, will address the year. Yes, the 2019 elections have yet needs and interests of those who teach students to be held, but the Committee on in disciplines such as dentistry, medicine, nursing, Nominations needs time to evaluate pharmacy, and public health. recommendations in order to propose Teaching Data Science, headed by Nick Horton, the best possible slate of candidates for will include a mixture of “what” and “how” articles. these critical positions. What should students learn about computation and data technologies? How should analytic tools As a member of the ASA, you recognize and workflows be taught? This new section will (a) the importance of leadership in our help statisticians be aware of what is happening at diverse, complex, and multidisciplinary the intersection of statistics, computer science, and field. You and all fellow ASA members domain application areas and (b) help those who deserve visionary leaders who can ensure have meager computer science skills develop greater our discipline has a voice at the table where facility with sophisticated algorithmic foundations, data technologies, and novel statistical meth- appropriate, whether it be in academe; ods. The papers in the section will benefit readers research firms; federal, state, or local who want to use efficient and pedagogically sound government; or nonprofit organizations. python and R code, for example, and who want This is why we need your input. guidance on how and why the code was written as For this election cycle, the president-elect it was so they can learn from and build on it. Other and vice president will be selected from papers in this section might explore new technologies, approaches, techniques, activities, courses, or industry. Think about your colleagues units added to existing courses. and associates who are members of the Two longstanding sections of the journal— ASA and would make good candidates Dataset and Stories and Research on K–12 Statistics for these positions. Think about members Education—will continue to focus on curricular who have helped run a conference or are reform and innovative methods of instruction. active in your section or chapter. Then, For the past few years, JSE has been track- nominate your choices for the 2021 ing views of articles. There is a strong association president-elect and vice president by between number of views and whether a paper has emailing [email protected]. an immediate impact. The evidence suggests many readers scan JSE with a preference for articles that Supply as much information about look like they contain material a STAT 101 or 102 your nominee as possible to assist the teacher could use to make an immediate change in committee in researching each candidate their class, particularly one that might fit into one thoroughly and discretely. class meeting. Articles of all kinds are welcome, however, including those that help shape the future The deadline for nominations is February of statistics education. 1, 2019. JSE is free, appearing electronically three times per year. All manuscript submissions should be sent electronically via the ScholarOne Manuscripts por- tal at mc.manuscriptcentral.com/UJSE. n january 2019 amstat news 7 NISS-Merck-HPSS Meet-Up Focuses on RWD

Anirban Basu, ig data, real-world data (RWD), and observa- disruptive innovation is needed in not only how professor of health tional data have become ubiquitous and essen- evidence is used, but also in how it is produced. economics and tial components of the drug development and He explained the merits of replacing the evidence Stergachis Family Bcommercialization process. Researchers, statisticians, production infrastructure based on the current drug Endowed Director, The Comparative and data scientists must generate evidence and gain development regulatory paradigm with an alterna- Health Outcomes, insights from these massive data. Various types of tive structure termed only-in research (OIR). In the Policy, and RWD—such as claims, electronic health records, sur- OIR framework, sponsors would produce evidence Economics veys, and digital data—provide opportunities for suc- of safety through phase II in the conventional way. (CHOICE) Institute, University of cessful partnerships between academia and business, However, much of the safety and efficacy informa- Washington industry, and government organizations. tion currently obtained from phase 3 RCTs would This is why RWD and its applications in the be produced by RWE generated by OIR random- Douglas Faries, pharmaceutical industry was the topic of the fourth ized market access to the compound. Final regula- senior research virtual meet-up sponsored by the National Institute tory approval would be based on the evidence gen- fellow, Eli Lilly & of Statistical Sciences (NISS) and Merck and co- erated from the OIR phase. Company sponsored by the ASA’s Health Policy Statistics Douglas Faries discussed best practices and Section (HPSS) for the first time this year. innovations using RWE within the existing drug Dan Holder, development paradigm. He argued we should executive director, RCT vs. RWE endeavor to improve the operating characteristics preclinical biostatistics, Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have long of RWE to the point where it can support reliable Merck & Co., Inc. been the gold standard for providing evidence and valid decision-making that is acceptable to to support the safety and efficacy of a new drug, regulatory decision-makers. He elucidated some vaccine, or biologic. Most pre-marketing product of the most important issues—including repeat- Kelly H. Zou, development programs are divided into three phas- ability, bias, and unmeasured confounding—and senior director es (phases 1, 2, and 3), with phase 3 consisting of gave insight into how they could be addressed to and Methods & Algorithms large RCTs to confirm the safety and efficacy of a solidify RWD’s evidentiary foundation. Group lead, new molecular entity. However, complete reliance Commenting on the presentations, Kelly Zou Global Real- on RCTs comes at a price, as they are often not only noted many of the issues discussed were also topics World Evidence costly but limited to specific clinical circumstances at the recent Duke-Margolis Conference on RWE. Center of that generate biases in RCT results with respect to She explained how infrastructure disruption is the Excellence population averages. key to Basu’s notion of an alternative development On the other hand, RWD are collected from a pathway, while Faries focused on innovative ideas to more heterogeneous population, often in a less rigor- address the statistical challenges of RWD and how ous and observational manner, and do not provide the well these results agree with RCTs. Her final take- same assurances against biases due to confounding. away was that although there could be infrastructure Nonetheless, RWD have the potential to provide rich, disruptions, quantitative skills and statistical think- diverse, and important information on compound ing remain important. performance in more realistic clinical settings. This meet-up focused on the roles RWD can Skill Sets to Leverage RWE for play in compound development, registration, and Decision-Making post-approval, which is an area of highly active Several years ago, Forbes published a short history of research with ongoing debates. data science (DS), starting from John Tukey back in the 60s. According to the ASA’s statement on DS, it Disruptive Innovation is an emerging and broad discipline with the follow- The presenters highlighted the opportunities to ing three areas as its foundation: embrace and meet the challenge arising from Real • Database management to enable transforma- World Evidence (RWE) and their related disciplines tion, conglomeration, and organization of and applications. Anirban Basu’s presentation suggested data resources

8 amstat news january 2019 • Statistics and machine learning to convert data into knowledge • Distributed and parallel systems for providing the computational infrastructure to carry out EDITOR’S NOTE data analysis The participants NISS-Merck-HPSS Meet-Up Focuses on RWD are employees of Thus, skills involving data access, integration, their respective MASTER’S IN organizations. and interoperability are of growing importance. Views and opinions BIOSTATISTICS For researchers to leverage RWD, innovative expressed in the ideas; strong methodological training; and hands- meet-up and this on applications using database and analytic software article are the tools such as Python, SQL, Hadoop, Spark, Hive, participants' and 1 YEAR OPTION! do not necessarily and Tableau (in addition to more traditional soft- reflect those of ware coding choices such as SAS, R, SPSS, Stata, their employers. 4 TRACKS: Matlab) are useful. Technical skills must be sup- plemented with interpersonal / communication skills—often using visualization methods to aid in Biostatistics interpretation of the complex data and analytics. Perhaps even more salient in this new world of data Genomics and exuberance is some grounding in decision theory, to understand the applicability of a piece of evidence to Bioinformatics real-world decision-making. Furthermore, analyses of RWD are relying more on sophisticated methods Health Care Analytics such as complex bias adjustments, advanced modeling, and machine learning techniques. Despite the new sources of data and new skills needed to handle Social and Behavioral big data, the foundational statistical skills—includ- Science ing research design, pre-specification, multiplicity, missing data, understanding bias, and uncertainty— still remain a critical skill set for RWD researchers. Virtual Meet-Ups This NISS-Merck-HPSS joint virtual meet-up was part of a roughly quarterly series hosted by NISS and Merck on emerging issues of interest to the pharma/biostatistics community. Previous meet-up Internship topics include multiple endpoints in clinical trials, estimands and sensitivity analysis in clinical trials, #2 US Hospital and applications of machine learning in the pharmaceutical industry. Affiliated with School The format is usually two short talks by two invited speakers, followed by a panel discussion initiated by comments from a moderator MONTHLY WEBINARS and questions submitted from the audience. The meet-up lasts one hour and 15 minutes ON PROGRAM and a recorded version with presentation slides http://epbiwww.case.edu/ are shared on the NISS website (www.niss.org). ms-biostatistics Connection information is made available on the NISS website (Upcoming Events section) and through advertisements on the ASA Connect and Biopharmaceutical Section bulletin boards. The next meet-up, which will focus on statisti- MORE INFO? cal challenges in immuno-oncology, is scheduled for [email protected] January 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. ET. n

january 2019 amstat news 9 A SAMSI Update David Banks, SAMSI Director

he Statistical and Applied Mathematical • If SAMSI were being established now, we think Sciences Institute (SAMSI) is one of six data science and machine learning would be mathematics institutes supported by the part of the intellectual cocktail. For this reason, TNational Science Foundation and the only one with we are bringing in computer science as a third a special responsibility for statistics. Next year, core discipline, in addition to statistics and SAMSI is up for renewal in an open competition applied mathematics, and the overlap in the that will include all previous and current institutes, Venn diagram is what we call data science. plus newcomers. It will be arduous. I think it is essential for our profession that at least one of the institutes in the next generation have statistics as a significant focus, so I ask for help from the broad statistical community. Specifically, I hope the following: • Readers of this update will plan to participate in a SAMSI program. For academics, this means looking ahead to sabbatical years and reaching This challenge has led SAMSI to undertake a out to SAMSI to find programs that align with number of new initiatives for what I hope will be their interests. (SAMSI’s reimbursement policy the next phase of its life. Some of the major changes are for long-term visitors ensures that participation the following: in a SAMSI program is essentially cost-neutral.) • We shall move away from year-long research • Readers who are not academics should consider programs and toward semester-long programs. encouraging their companies to join the new SAMSI has been good at starting conversations SAMSI Industry Associates program. The price that eventually lead to papers, books, and valu- tag is $10k/year. Government agencies may also able software. But collaborative research can join; and will receive similar benefits. take a long time to bear fruit, so it seems best to start many research threads and let them spin We are in the process of lining up future pro- out in their own time, rather than trying to grams and need strong vision and leadership from force a finish in nine months. the community. If you have an idea for a research program you would like to help lead, please email • For the first time, it seems SAMSI has a seri- me at [email protected]. All I need to start are three ous chance to move onto a college campus. The sentences describing the idea and a short (diverse) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) wants to house us, and there is an active list of people who would probably be willing to par- discussion of ways and means. Parking will be a ticipate, if the timing worked out for them. problem, but we think the academic environment SAMSI began in 2002 and has been a fulcrum will bring fresh energy and attract more visitors. for the statistical community, enabling us to move the world. I ask for broad community support to ensure • We plan to grow. Several other universities SAMSI can continue to empower our field. n besides Duke, North Carolina State University, and UNC are exploring the possibility of joining as full partners.

10 amstat news january 2019 International Study Significance Highlights: Program Offers December Issue Covers Mathematical Sciences Thorny Issues A SAMSI Update with Dose of Culture he December 2018 issue of Significance is out in digital format. TIn this issue, we explore the thorny topic of data ethics. Big data is gradually revealing its potential to both help and harm us. But the rights and wrongs of what to do about Mathematical Sciences Semesters in Guanajuato is a new international study program at the Guanajuato Mathematics Research this are hard to pin down, so Centre in Mexico that combines mathematics, statistics, and com- Robert Langkjær‐Bain looks at puter science with Mexican culture. the work underway to ensure the data revolution does not athematical Sciences Semesters in Guanajuato leave ethics behind. (MSSG) is an international program open to stu- Next, we turn our attention to the risk of extreme dents with a strong grounding in mathematics floods in England and Wales. In past winters, flooding has whoM want to increase their knowledge of data science, model- caused billions of pounds of damage, and though governing, and partial differential equations from a comprehensive, ments, emergency services, and homeowners might like to forward-looking, and cutting-edge perspective while acquir- think—and hope—such extreme events are rare, statisti- ing a solid theoretical foundation and exploring the rich cul- cians have shown they are likely to occur more frequently ture of Mexico. than expected. The program offers two independent semesters: mathe- Also in this issue: matical tools for modeling in the fall and mathematical tools • Michael Spagat, Britta Jewell, and Nicholas Jewell for data science in the spring. There is also a separate summer explain why President Donald Trump is not alone in program in partial differential equations. All three are taught mistaking death “estimates” for death “counts.” entirely in English. Students will learn the fundamental theoretical bases of • Kingsley Purdam, Elisabeth Garratt, and Graham pure mathematics, quantitative methods, statistical models, Whitham dig into the pros and cons of a new UK and computer science, equipping them with the ability to poverty measure. choose relevant and efficient algorithmic solutions for solving • Graham Kendall uses computer simulation to test problems in data science and mathematical modeling. The whether a roulette system can really “break the bank.” summer program combines theory, numerical methods, and applications to mathematical finance. • Blakeley B. McShane and Ulf Böckenholt describe The program was developed based on the strengths of the a statistical tool to make behavioral research more Guanajuato Mathematics Research Centre (CIMAT) in pure replicable. and applied mathematics, statistics, and computer science and Access the digital version of Significance by logging into designed with an integrative approach to mathematics with Members Only at www.amstat.org or download and read an emphasis on application. In addition, the program offers the magazine on the go with our iOS and Android apps. optional courses in Spanish and Mexican culture while stu- (See bit.ly/2BdoGh3 for instructions.) dents immerse themselves in the cultural life of Guanajuato. If you are a print subscriber, your December issue will CIMAT is one of Mexico’s leading research centers in the be arriving soon. Significance is online at www.significan- fields of mathematics, statistics, and computer science, focus- cemagazine.com. n ing on enhancing the relationship between these disciplines. With four decades of experience, CIMAT is recognized for its tradition of educational excellence and its contribution to the development of students from Mexico and around the world. The deadline for applying is April 15 to begin in the fall semester. For more information and to apply, visit mathsciencesgto. cimat.mx. n

january 2019 amstat news 11 International Prize in Statistics Awarded to STANFORD'S BRADLEY EFRON

he International Prize in Statistics has been scientific progress. It helped propel statistics beyond awarded to Bradley Efron, professor of statis- techniques that relied on complex mathematical tics and biomedical data science at Stanford calculations or unreliable approximations, enabling TUniversity, in recognition of the “bootstrap,” a meth- scientists to assess the uncertainty of their results in od he developed in 1977 for assessing the uncertain- more realistic and feasible ways. ty of scientific results that has had extraordinary “Because the bootstrap is easy for a computer to impact across many scientific fields. calculate and is applicable in an exceptionally wide FONT= Times Roman With the bootstrap, it is possible to simulate a range of situations, the method has found use in potentially infinite number of data sets from an many fields of science, technology, medicine and original data set and—in looking at the differenc- public affairs,” says Sir David Cox, inaugural winner es—measure the uncertainty of the result from the of the International Prize in Statistics. original data analysis. Cornell University and EPAM Systems Inc. Made possible by computing, the bootstrap pow- examined research databases worldwide and found Colors ered a revolution that placed statistics at the center of that, since 1980, the bootstrap (and multiple variations WEB-Blue 1A4796 CMYK -Blue 100, 1285, amstat news6, january 0 2019 RGB -Blue 26, 71, 150 CMYK -Gold 0, 25, 100, 0 RGB -Gold 255, 194, 14 WEB -Gold FFC20E About Efron Bradley Efron was born in May 1938 to Russian immigrants and grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. He credits his salesman father, Miles, for cultivating in him a love of math and science, in part through baseball and bowling scoring. “He kept track of these things,” says Efron, “so I grew up with a lot of numbers around me and that was very helpful—I was training to be a statistician without realizing it.” He won a national merit scholarship the year it was first introduced and went to Caltech. It was more than an intellectually eye-opening experience. “I’d never seen a mountain or an ocean,” says Efron. Initially, he thought he was going to become a mathematician, but he realized abstract mathematics was not where his interests or talents lay. Enrolling in a PhD program at Stanford, he switched to statistics. “I remember when going into statistics that first year I thought, ‘This will be pretty easy, I’ve dealt with math and that’s supposed to be hard.’ But statistics was much harder for me at the beginning than any other field. It took years before I felt really comfortable.” At UC Berkeley, Efron is Max H. Stein Professor of Humanities and Sciences, professor of statistics and professor of biostatistics with the department of biomedical data science in the school of medicine; he serves as co-director of the mathematical and computational sciences program. A recipient of a 2005 National Medal of Science for his contributions to theoretical and applied statistics, especially the bootstrap sampling technique, he was awarded the Guy Medal in Gold by the Royal Statistical Society in 2014. He served in 2004 as president of the American Statistical Association.

on the term such as bootstrapping) has been cited in “The bootstrap was a quantum leap in statistical MORE ONLINE excess of 200,000 documents in more than 200 jour- methodology that has enabled researchers to improve Learn more about the International nals worldwide. Citations are found in fields such as the lives of people everywhere,” says Sally Morton, Prize in Statistics agricultural research, biochemistry, computer science, dean of and professor of statistics in the Virginia at http://statprize. engineering, immunology, mathematics, medicine, Tech College of Science. “Efron is a statistical poet org. Visit bit.ly/ physics and astronomy, and the social sciences. of enormous beauty, applicability and impact.” BradleyEfron to “While statistics offers no magic pill for quantita- “The truth is, I didn’t think it was anything wonder- learn more about tive scientific investigations, the bootstrap is the best ful when I did it,” says Efron. “But it was one of those Efron. statistical pain reliever ever produced,” says Xiao-Li lucky ideas that is better than it seems at first view.” It Meng, Whipple V. N. Jones Professor of Statistics was a tool many scientists could use, and use easily, at Harvard University. “It has saved countless scien- especially as personal computing provided the power to tists and researchers the headache of finding a way to do the number crunching. And it worked. assess uncertainty in complex problems by providing Efron will accept the prize next summer at the 2019 a simple and practical way to do so in many seem- World Statistics Congress in Kuala Lumpur. For more ingly hopeless situations.” information about the congress, visit www.isi2019.org. n

january 2019 amstat news 13 NEW MASTER’S OR DOCTORAL DATA SCIENCE AND ANALYTICS PROGRAMS The proliferation of master’s and doctoral programs in data scienceII and analytics continues, seemingly due to the insatiable demand of employers for data scientists. Amstat News started reaching out two years ago to those in the statistical community who are involved in such programs to find out more. Given their interdisciplinary nature, we identified programs involving faculty with expertise in different disciplines—including statistics, given its foundational role in data science—to jointly reply to our questions. We have profiled many universities, including a few in last month’s issue; here are four more.

- Steve Pierson, ASA Director of Science Policy

14 amstat news january 2019 CLEMSON UNIVERSITY What was your primary motivation(s) for developing a master’s data science/analytics program? Sri Sridharan is a professor of What’s been the reaction from students so far? management and serves as In today’s world of constant streaming data and the chair of the management quick decisions, Clemson University recognized the need for individuals who are trained in both business faculty at Clemson University. management and analytics, including an emphasis His research area is supply chain in applied statistics. The goal of this program is to management. He has published create graduates who can use statistical reasoning to more than 75 articles in peer-reviewed journals help motivate business decisions. Our graduates will and consulted for various companies and agencies. be able to bridge the gap between pure data analysts and upper management. Although we have not Ellen Breazel is a senior lecturer begun accepting students yet, the program’s potential in the Clemson University School has created interest and excitement among potential of Mathematical and Statistical students, current faculty, and industry partners. Sciences. She serves as the manager of the Statistics and What types of jobs are you preparing your graduates for? Graduates of this program will be prepared to be Mathematics Consulting Center. market research analysts, management analysts, or Her professional interests include statistics business analysts. education and curriculum. What advice do you have for students considering a data science/analytics degree? Degree name: Master of Science in Data Science In today’s market of constant information, the ability and Analytics to take ideas from multiple sources to form solutions Year in which first students are expected to graduate: has never been more accessible or desirable. Students Program to begin August 2019; first graduates in need to have a breadth of knowledge while maintain- December 2020 ing an individual expertise. Clemson University’s MS in data science and analytics will provide students Number of students currently enrolled: Anticipate with knowledge in statistics, mathematics, computer 35–40 in first cohort science, and business management. This transdisci- Partnering departments: School of Mathematical plinary approach to learning fosters a breadth of ideas and Statistical Sciences (lead), Department of to strengthen the depth of an individual proficiency. Management A graduate degree in purely computer science, statistics, Program format: 100% online program; 30 credit or business management will provide a depth of hours; master’s project as part of a course; tracks for knowledge in a field of study, but may not provide both full-time and part-time students the breadth component that has become crucial in today’s workplace. Describe the basic elements of your data science/analytics curriculum and how the curricu- Describe the employer demand for your lum was developed. graduates/students. The program consists of 10 courses (30 credit IBM predicts demand for data scientists will increase hours), five from the school of mathematical and by 28% by 2020 (see bit.ly/2CbdZgI). In the early statistical sciences and five from the department stages of developing this program, we engaged a of management. The curriculum was developed panel of industry representatives on curriculum, through collaboration between the two sponsoring skills needed, and graduate placement. In tandem departments and a panel of industry representatives. with future employers, we have developed a pro- It is designed to combine statistics, mathematics, gram that will produce in-demand graduates who and management courses to train students to use, will have an immediate positive impact. manage, and apply data science and analytics in a vari- Do you have any advice for institutions consider- ety of areas. Fields of application would include mar- ing the establishment of such a degree? keting, manufacturing, and military fields. The online I would advise institutions considering starting a delivery will help accommodate students in a profes- degree in data science to engage industry partners sional setting looking to advance their careers. There early and often. It is more effective to form the is no prerequisite coursework required; however, some program based on what your product should be. background in quantitative reasoning through course- Interdisciplinary work has become a staple in indus- work or work experience is recommended. try. Those demands on graduates can help foster relationships among departments on campuses.

january 2019 amstat news 15 MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE What was your primary motivation(s) for developing a master’s data science/analytics program? OF TECHNOLOGY What’s been the reaction from students so far? Many organizations now have more data available to Devavrat Shah is a professor them than they know what to do with. Turning this in the department of electrical avalanche of data into meaningful business insights engineering and computer creates challenges that require data science skills. science at MIT. He is a member of One of the defining challenges of our time is how the Laboratory for Information to use data to make accurate predictions that can and Decision Systems and director lead to high-impact decisions. Tackling this chal- of the Statistics and Data Science Center, both part lenge means developing the ability to perform data processing and computation on a massive scale. This of the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. requires a time investment in ongoing education. We His research focus is on theory of large complex created the MicroMasters Program in Statistics and networks, which includes network algorithms, Data Science because we believe online programs are stochastic networks, network information theory, well-suited to fill this need. and large-scale statistical inference. How do you view the relationship between statis- Alexander ‘Sasha’ Rakhlin is tics and data science/analytics? an associate professor in brain We think of 21st century statistics as including clas- and cognitive sciences and at sical probability and statistics and encompassing the Institute for Data, Systems, computation and data analysis. and Society. He is also head of What types of jobs are you preparing your graduates for? the interdisciplinary doctoral Any role in which analysis of data at scale can be program in statistics with the MIT Statistics used to empower organizations to derive insights and Data Science Center. His research is and make data-driven decisions. This means these in machine learning, with an emphasis on skills are applicable broadly across industries, as well statistics and computation. as in research, government, and nonprofits/NGOs. What advice do you have for students considering Degree name: MicroMasters Program in Statistics a data science/analytics degree? and Data Science Students should focus on how to turn data into deci- Year in which first students are expected to gradu- sions, which is best taught through multidisciplinary ate: 2019 programs that include elements from engineering, mathematical sciences, and the social sciences. Number of students currently enrolled: ~31,000 Partnering departments: School of Mathematical Describe the employer demand for your and Statistical Sciences (lead), Department of graduates/students. Management The need for professionals skilled in data science, analytics, and machine learning is skyrocketing. Program format: The MicroMasters Program in We’re seeing this across industries and sectors. A Statistics and Data Science is comprised of four recent report from IBM states there will be more online courses and a virtually proctored exam cover- than 300,000 new job openings for data-driven pro- ing foundational knowledge essential to understand- fessionals by 2020. As it stands now, there is a short- ing the methods and tools used in data science, age of the necessary technical skills for these roles. including the fundamentals of probability and statistics. It includes hands-on training in data analysis and machine learning. There is no application or admission process, and all the courses are taught by MIT faculty at a similar pace and level of rigor as an on-campus course at MIT. While valuable in its own right, the credential can be applied, for admit- ted students, toward a PhD in social and engineering systems through the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society or accelerate learners’ paths toward a master’s degree at other universities around the world.

16 amstat news january 2019 Degree name: Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY Statistics Year in which first students graduated: 2018 Herman “Gene” Ray earned Number of students currently enrolled: 5 his bachelor’s and master’s in mathematics from Middle Program format: The Interdisciplinary PhD in Statistics is designed for students enrolled in a partici- Tennessee State University and pating MIT doctoral program who wish to develop his PhD in biostatistics from the their understanding of 21st century statistics within University of Louisville School of their chosen field of study using concepts of com- Public Health and Information Sciences. putation and data analysis and elements of classical statistics and probability. Participating MIT departments include aeronautics and astronautics; econom- Degree name: Analytics and Data Science PhD ics; mathematics; political science; and the MIT http://graduate.kennesaw.edu/datascience Institute for Data, Systems, and Society’s (IDSS) Year in which first students are expected to gradu- Social and Engineering Systems (SES) PhD. ate: 2019 What was your primary motivation(s) for devel- Number of students currently enrolled: 21 oping a doctoral data science/analytics program? Partnering departments: Statistics, computer What’s been the reaction from students so far? science, mathematics The most interesting statistical advances are often Program format: 78 credit hours, traditional full- made in conjunction with various disciplines, and time with assistantships and required internships statistics is increasingly an interdisciplinary subject. The reaction from students has been highly posi- Describe the basic elements of your data science/analyt- tive. We are developing a vibrant group of students ics curriculum and how the curriculum was developed. and faculty members and growing the footprint of The curriculum contains core courses from com- statistics at IDSS and MIT. puter science, statistics, and mathematics. The What types of jobs are you preparing your graduates for? mathematics core content includes the theory of linear models, discrete optimization, and graph Students receive rigorous training in our four theory. The computer science core includes focus areas—computation, data analysis, prob- machine learning, advanced database systems, and ability, and statistics—along with the work in their deep learning, while the statistics core includes home department. This will allow them to achieve data mining and applied binary classification. The domain expertise while effectively using statistical intent is to train individuals to apply theory to tools and methods. These sorts of graduates will solve complex data-centric challenges. stand out with a unique and specific skill set in either The program was developed with input from an the commercial job market or within academia. advisory board comprised of executives and prac- Describe the employer demand for your titioners, as well as academics. Their input directly graduates/students. affected curriculum decisions along with the mixture of courses from the foundational disciplines of data The ubiquity and rapid proliferation of data have science. It also brought forth the requirement that created unprecedented challenges and opportuni- students experience data science in application. ties for which statistics is a uniquely powerful tool. Within the curriculum, the applied experi- Statistics is a key component of data science, and ences are developed primarily through private sec- data science skills are in extremely high demand tor–sponsored data science research laboratories throughout industry and the public sector. working on collaboratively developed projects. Do you have any advice for institutions consider- We currently have approximately 10 sponsored ing the establishment of such a degree? research labs working on image recognition, model An open and interdisciplinary approach to statis- evaluation and optimization, structuring, and tics and data analysis will be increasingly impor- querying scanned documents. We also engage in tant in the future, and attempts should be made “data science for good” initiatives, such as a cur- to cross the boundary between disciplines with rent project focused on reducing response time the rigor of statistics. With this combination, both for first responders with our local fire department. areas shine brightest. Summaries of our program’s research are available on our website at bit.ly/2EvWytV.

january 2019 amstat news 17 What was your primary motivation(s) for devel- In our program, the students are preparing for oping a doctoral data science/analytics program? research positions in either industry or academia, with What’s been the reaction from students so far? an emphasis in machine learning, data science, artifi- In 2006, Kennesaw State University launched cial intelligence, or positions that require the develop- a Master’s of Science in Applied Statistics. The ment of methods to analyze or predict an outcome. program was really an early program in data sci- They are also learning how to communicate their find- ence—the program requires a foundation in ings to both scientific and nonscientific audiences. calculus and programming (e.g., SAS, R and Python). In every course, the students work with What advice do you have for students live data (typically provided by one of our corpo- considering a data science/analytics degree? rate partners) and are required to extract, trans- The strongest applications to the program reflect- port, load, clean, and model. The program is rec- ed research experiences, including some evidence ognized as one of the flagships of the university. of publication. The PhD program requires a Based on that success, the university administra- master’s-level degree, but the specific discipline is tion asked the department of statistics and analytical less important. It is best if the graduate degree is sciences to develop a PhD program in applied statis- from a quantitative background that also provided tics. Given the opportunity to start with a blank piece research opportunities. The most recent cohort of paper, we decided to build a program that not only included two individuals with computer science leveraged the successes of the MS in applied statistics, graduate degrees and one with a master’s degree in but also integrated the more applied dimensions of statistics. But we also have students with degrees in computer science. The result was the country’s first anthropology, finance, economics, and mathematics. PhD in analytics and data science, launched in 2015. While all students interested in pursuing a PhD The reaction from the market was overwhelming. in data science need to understand the core concepts Our most recent cohort, which began in fall 2018, in statistics and computer science, the best data scien- received 90 applications for five seats. tists also exhibit intellectual curiosity, creativity, and strong oral and written communication skills. How do you view the relationship between statistics and data science/analytics? Describe the employer demand for your The statistics department at KSU has a strong graduates/students? applied orientation because most of the faculty In a word: “Insatiable.” Almost all our PhD stu- have industry experience at a variety of organiza- dents are regularly approached by companies inter- tions, including AT&T, Ford, Thomson Reuters, ested in hiring them. For those students interested VISA EU, Accenture, LexisNexis, and MasterCard. in going into the private sector after graduation, Two of the founding faculty leading the analytics the dominant fields are finance, health care, and and data science PhD program are from the statis- consulting. The academic departments inquiring tics department. The relationship with the statistics about our students are primarily housed in colleges department is solid, with a mutual appreciation for of business or in an interdisciplinary research unit the value the two disciplines contribute to each other. like a center or institute. The content taught by statistics is well received by Do you have any advice for institutions considering the students, and there are opportunities for students the establishment of such a degree? from our program to teach statistics courses as long as The biggest issue is coordinating the faculty who they meet the accreditation requirements. mentor the students and teach the courses. They Two of the statistics faculty also act as principal are housed within the specific departments placed investigators and lead two of the research laboratories within different colleges. For instance, the statistics with research publications and conference publica- department is located within the college of science tions resulting from the work. and mathematics, while computer science is located What types of jobs are you preparing your gradu- within the college of computing and software engineering. ates for? KSU developed the Analytics and Data Science It is important for PhD programs—particularly those Institute and housed it within the graduate college in highly computational disciplines—to appreciate to assist with solving this problem. The degree pro- that most graduates will not go into academia. This gram is interdisciplinary, so this structure allows us is a relatively new phenomenon. As a result, PhD to work with faculty who have the required exper- programs have a responsibility to ensure they are tise, regardless of the department or college to which preparing graduates not just for academic positions, they belong. For instance, we have faculty from the but also to become members of data science organi- Coles College of Business who serve as disserta- zations in which collaborative teams are the norm. tion chairs since they have the domain knowledge.

18 amstat news january 2019 The committee is also made up of individuals computing, programming, linear models, foundations of from statistics and computer science, since they have computer science, data mining, machine learning, data expertise related to analytics that will be applied to ethics, and the practice of data science. All students also the problem. It has resulted in a great interdisciplin- work on a capstone project team, with topics that vary ary model, allowing our students to benefit from the but where communication and team science more gen- expertise located across the campus. erally are emphasized. Program Development: The program was initially UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA developed by a team of faculty associated with the Data Science Institute (DSI) from departments that include Philip E. Bourne is the Stephen- computer science, statistics, and systems engineering. Industry input was incorporated into the development son Chair of Data Science, direc- and continues through an advisory board. tor of the Data Science Institute, Prerequisites: Students are required to have an under- and a professor in the depart- graduate degree and have taken courses in single variable ment of biomedical engineering calculus (typically a two-semester sequence), linear algebra, at the University of Virginia. introductory statistics, and introductory programming.

Jeffrey J. Holt has been a faculty What was your primary motivation(s) for devel- member at UVA for 20 years and oping a master’s data science/analytics program? has joint appointments in the What’s been the reaction from students so far? department of statistics and In 2013, there was an initiative at UVA to address department of mathematics. He the challenges of big data. This resulted in the was the first director of the MS in establishment of the DSI, together with discussions about how to support research and education. At data science program. that time, a small number of colleges and universities had just started programs in data science. It was Degree name: Master of Science in Data Science clear to us that interest in data science was growing among potential students and employers, so it dsi.virginia.edu/degrees/msds-degree seemed like a good time to start a program. Year in which first students graduated: 2015 Student reaction to the MSDS program has been Number of students currently enrolled: 49 in the overwhelmingly positive. Employment placement 11-month program and 20 in the two-year dual rates have been high (see at.virginia.edu/2LfLj9n), MBA/MSDS program and students report positive experiences in the program. Of course, not everything is perfect and stu- Partnering departments: Required courses are dents have provided valuable input that has resulted offered by the Data Science Institute (DSI, the lead) in program improvements. We are starting to apply and departments of computer science, statistics, and data science methods to our own employment data systems engineering. Students take elective courses on the four prior years of the program. in many other departments, and faculty from other departments participate as capstone project advisers. How do you view the relationship between statis- Program format: The program is in person and tics and data science/analytics? requires 32 credit hours. A capstone project is a This is hard to answer, because everyone has a differ- central component of the program. Students are full- ent notion of what constitutes “data science.” There time, with some entering the program immediately is a significant overlap between statistics and data after finishing undergraduate degrees and others science, but we see data science as a combination of entering with post-undergraduate work experience. statistics, computer science, and programming that There is no internship component, but capstone encompasses the entire process of transforming data projects involve working with a client so have some into knowledge. elements of a traditional internship. There are no assistantships. An online version of the program will What types of jobs are you preparing your graduates for? start in the 2019 academic year. Graduates have taken jobs in a variety of sectors, including consulting, finance, government, health care, Describe the basic elements of your data science/ information technology, government contracting (in analytics curriculum and how the curriculum was part due to our proximity to Washington, DC), and developed. even sports analytics. Many are hired into data science Basic Elements: The curriculum is tightly pre- groups within larger organizations. Job titles include scribed, with about 70% of the material common data scientist, data analyst, senior associate data scien- to all students. There are core courses in statistical tist, director of data science, modeling and simulation specialist, and machine learning engineer.

january 2019 amstat news 19 What advice do you have for students considering Do you have any advice for institutions considering a data science/analytics degree? the establishment of such a degree? Data science positions typically include significant We think the ability of the DSI to award its own portions of both computational and data analysis degrees, independent of any school, is critical to work, so students going into data science should defining the value of data science within our aca- enjoy both aspects. If a student likes analysis but demic system. At the same time, it does not exist in not coding, then statistics might be a better choice, isolation. Our program includes dedicated courses although most statisticians end up doing a lot of taught in a variety of departments. The advantage data cleaning so some coding is probably inevitable. to this approach is that different perspectives con- If students like to code but are not as interested in tribute to the program, which we believe is valuable data analysis, then computer science is likely a bet- and fits the interdisciplinary nature of data science. ter choice. Ideally, students will take enough courses However, faculty scattered across different depart- with heavy components of computation and data ments brings greater communication challenges analysis to be able to assess their interests. It also than for programs housed within a single depart- goes without saying that students entering data sci- ment. Good communication is critical for program ence should be excited about the application field consistency and buy-in of faculty contributors and they are working within. requires ongoing effort to maintain. Programs should not to skimp on administrative Describe the employer demand for your support, especially related to admissions and career graduates/students. services. We received nearly 600 admission appli- Demand has been strong. Class of 2018 data is still cations last year, and many students will reach out being compiled, but among the 91% of students in with questions that need timely responses. Student the class of 2017 reporting their employment sta- employment placement is vital to the success of our tus, all had found employment, with 93% of US program, so we invest heavily in career services. This students and 100% of international students work- is not something that will take care of itself. ing full-time. Average starting salaries exceeded We also believe creating a diverse, accessible, and $91,500, with an average signing bonus of more open environment to be important and consider it than $11,750. Many students had more than one in all aspects of what we do (e.g., admissions, hiring offer, and it is not unusual for students to take a of team members [we do not distinguish faculty and position with the organization that sponsored their staff], accessibility of our research products). n capstone project.

20 amstat news january 2019 Lifetime Data Science (LiDS) Is Newest ASA Section On the Horizon: Conference on Lifetime Data Science: Foundations and Frontiers

he ASA Section on Lifetime Data Science (LiDS) is the latest to be voted in by the Conference Committee Members Council of Sections. The objective of the Scientific Program Committee Tsection is to promote and support the development, Richard Cook, University of Waterloo application, and appropriate use of statistical methods for the design and analysis of studies of life his- Jianwen Cai, The University of North Carolina tory processes. This includes supporting the devel- Local Arrangements Committee opment of new methods, identifying new areas of Ying Ding, University of Pittsburgh application, and fostering interdisciplinary research in areas such as biomedicine, finance, economics, Yu Cheng, University of Pittsburgh imaging, engineering, genomics, and genetics. In pursuing these objectives, the LiDS executive com- The conference will begin with short courses mittee and membership will work closely with other taught by leading experts on May 29, including ASA sections. the following: The inaugural chair of the Lifetime Data Analysis • Two Phase Studies for Lifetime Data, by Interest Group (LiDA-IG)—the name of the group Ornulf Borgan and Sven Ove Samuelsen prior to becoming a section—was Ross Prentice (University of Oslo, Norway) (2014). He was succeeded by Mei-Ling Ting Lee (2015), Jack Kalbfleisch (2016), and Mei-Cheng • Dynamic Prediction in Survival Analysis, Wang (2017). Through their leadership, the interest by Hein Putter (Leiden University Medical group quickly became active in sponsoring events Centre, The Netherlands) such as the 2017 ICSA China Conference in Jilin • Biased Sampling, Left Truncation, and City, China; the 2018 Workshop in Biostatistics Survival Analysis, by Jing Qin (NIH/NIAID) and Bioinformatics in Atlanta, Georgia; the 2018 ICSA China Conference in Qingdao, China; and May 30–31 will feature invited speaker sessions the 2018 International Workshop on the Statistical on topics including survival analysis, joint model- Analysis of Multi-Outcome Data in St. Louis, ing, competing risks and multistate models, recur- Missouri. The scientific committee of the inau- rent event analysis, prediction, causal inference in gural conference of the LiDA-IG, “Lifetime Data life history analyses, measurement error, and miss- Science: Data Science, Precision Medicine, and Risk ing data. There will also be three keynote addresses Analysis with Lifetime Data,” was chaired by Mei- given by internationally renowned statisticians Odd Cheng Wang and Jack Kalbfleisch and hosted by the Aalen of the University of Oslo, Danyu Lin of The University of Connecticut. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Ross Prentice of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Lifetime Data Science Conference Center. A conference banquet will be held May 30. The enthusiasm for LiDA-IG soon led to a mem- There will also be a poster competition and stu- bership of more than 230 individuals, which was dent paper competition. Guoqing Diao of George instrumental in receiving section approval. To cel- Mason University is chair of the student paper ebrate this achievement, LiDS is organizing a con- competition committee. Information about how to ference, “Lifetime Data Science: Foundations and apply is available at lids2019.pitt.edu. Frontiers,” to be held at the University of Pittsburgh For more information about LiDS, visit their from May 29–31, 2019. website at community.amstat.org/lids/home. n

january 2019 amstat news 21 To Join or Not to Join A(nother) Section or Interest Group? 2018 ASA Council of Sections Governing Board Members

f you are a history buff, you probably already (formerly the Lifetime Data Analysis Interest know when ASA sections were created (and that Group)—was established. The Council of Sections there is a History of Statistics Interest Group). recently approved its petition to become a section. IAccording to “History of the ASA,” sections were cre- (See more on Page 21.) ated following WWII to “focus on specific business Now that you are familiar with sections and interests such as engineering, economics, social sci- interest groups, let’s go back to the original ques- ences, and education.” (See bit.ly/2S6FrBX). Today, tion. Should you join a section or interest group? ASA sections are still doing what they were chartered There are many reasons—keeping up to date, net- to do, but with an expansion of topics and interests. working, advocacy, education, leadership, member Unlike sections, however, interest groups are rela- awards, etc.—and there are articles that have been tively new to the ASA. They focus on topics as sec- published in Amstat News about the benefits (August tions do, but there are important differences. Table 2016, “Benefits of ASA Section Membership”). 1 provides a detailed comparison of the two. Rather than repeat those ideas here, we thought we There are currently 29 sections and nine inter- would show you the data from the 2017 Council of est groups. Does the number 29 surprise you? Did Sections Annual Report to help you decide which you think there were only 28 sections? There were sections and interest groups would be valuable to you. only 28 sections until recently, when our newest For many years, sections have been asked to section—the Lifetime Data Science (LiDS) Section create an annual report. In 2017, the report was

22 amstat news january 2019 Sections Interest Groups

• Membership restricted to ASA Members • Membership is open to non-ASA members (chair must Table 1— • Dues are collected by ASA be ASA member) A Comparison • Money is held in ASA accounts • Dues are not collected by the ASA of Sections and • COS representation via section • Money is not held in ASA accounts (must arrange for Interest Groups representatives, who may vote your own bank account) • Formal recognition at JSM of an out- • Interest groups may access up to $1,000 per year from standing section volunteer the ASA • Membership rosters maintained by • COS representation by the chair, who may not vote ASA • Not eligible for formal recognition at JSM of an out- • Officer elections handled by ASA standing interest group volunteer • Invited sessions at JSM • Membership rosters not maintained by the ASA 1. Allocated invited sessions • Officer elections not run by the ASA 2. May compete for additional sessions • Invited sessions at JSM • Topic-Contributed Sessions at JSM 1. No allocation 1. Allocated TC sessions 2. Must compete for sessions 2. May compete for additional sessions • Topic-Contributed sessions at JSM • Meeting space at JSM 1. Allocated one TC session • ASA-supported web presence 2. May compete for additional sessions • Submit articles to Amstat News • Meeting space at JSM • Other ASA support may be available • ASA-supported web presence by contacting Rick Peterson at rick@ • Submit articles to Amstat News amstat.org • Other ASA support may be available by contacting Rick Peterson at [email protected]

To Join or Not to Join A(nother) Section or Interest Group?

Figure 1: Results from the 2017 Council of Sections Annual Report, indicating the self-reporting from the participating section and interest group on their activities.

january 2019 amstat news 23 MORE ONLINE modified and a simple, short questionnaire was feedback we have received about the annual report Read more about created. Sections and interest groups were asked to has been positive, and it is something we will do the benefits of update their three promotional bullets included in again in 2018. ASA section membership the informational slides on sections and report on There are a few other activities that might be in the Council their activities. The full report is available at https:// of interest to you as you make your decision about of Sections community.amstat.org/councilofsections/home. whether to join or become more involved in a sec- Governing The cell plot (Figure 1) shows the activities of tion or interest group. At JSM 2018, the COSGB Board article at the sections and interest groups that responded to sponsored a workshop that focused on leadership bit.ly/2zZvjnq. our questionnaire. (Four sections and four inter- skills for executive members of sections and interest est groups did not reply.) The rows of the cell plot groups, and we plan to continue offering these lead- Interest groups are describe the activities a section might support, and ership workshops. Also, in 2019, we will start a vol- similar to sections the columns list the sections and interest groups that unteer recognition award for sections. Once every in that they are sent their annual report. A grey cell means the sec- three years, on a rotating basis, a section will be formed based tion or interest group on that column participated able to recognize a section member for outstanding on a particular statistical theory, in the activity listed on that row. volunteer service. methodology, This report offers an overview of the activities, If you still aren’t sure about joining a section or or application identified areas of strength, and identified areas to interest group, let us motivate you a bit more. It’s that is sufficiently develop to the COS. It also gives section and inter- free! Well, you have the option to try out a new sec- broad to represent est group leaders a way to see what others are doing tion for a year for free, and then dues range from active professional and who they might talk to if they are interested in $5 to $12 annually. It is a great value, and you are interests within the scope of starting an initiative. (For example, many sections helping to advance the profession. the ASA. In fact, seem interested in either starting or improving their If you have any questions about the activi- sections must mentoring program. If this is something of interest ties of the Council of Sections, feel free to con- start as an interest to you and you haven’t seen the special edition of tact anyone on the Council of Sections Governing group, and then The American Statistician that focuses on mentoring Board (see ww2.amstat.org/committees/commdetails. they may choose cfm?txtComm=COSGB n to petition to (February 2017), it is worth taking a look.) The ). become a section after three years.

24 amstat news january 2019 columns

PASTIMES What Does Doug Tyson Like to Do When He Is Not Being a Statistician?

Who are you, and what is your statistics position? I am Doug Tyson and I teach statistics at Central York High School. Although I began my teaching career as a mathematics teacher, I love teaching statistics. My full teaching schedule consists of statistics courses, including AP Statistics, non-AP Statistics, and Statistical Reasoning in Sports. I am happy to be an ASA member and currently serve on the ASA/NCTM Joint Committee on Curriculum in Statistics and Probability.

Tell us about what you like to do for fun Homemade snow in Doug Tyson's yard when you are not being a statistician. I like to hunt, fish, and read, but one of my more What drew you to this hobby, and unusual hobbies is making snow. My brother-in-law what keeps you interested? got me interested in making snow. I use a manifold I was drawn to snow-making out of my desire for to force water out of two pressure washer nozzles world domination. If I can control the weather, and a water/air mixture out of the third and low- I think I stand a good chance of controlling the world. My first preference is to plunge the world est nozzle. The mixture that comes out of the lower Tyson nozzle freezes almost instantly under the right atmo- into eternal autumn because of the lovely colors and spheric conditions. Then the water droplets from crisp weather. However, I have not perfected this the two higher nozzles fall through that frozen mix- technique, so eternal winter is my backup plan. J ture, forming larger “flakes.” Additionally, it’s fun to host sledding parties when the rest of the neighborhood doesn’t have any snow at all. If you look closely at the picture, you’ll see there is green grass all around the big pile of snow in my yard. n

january 2019 amstat news 25 columns

STATS4GOOD Data for Good: The Year in Review s we turn over the calendar, it is important to that D4G becomes normative, an ordinary part of take time to reflect on the past and consider almost any analytic career—in the same manner where we are going. 2018 was an amazing pro bono work is for other professions. The past 12 year,A marked by rapidly growing numbers of Data months have seen D4G gain a clearer, more distinct for Good projects, volunteers, and opportunities. identity within the larger analytic world. Data for Good in the news. Organizationally, the new Leadership Institute, 2018 was a landmark year during which the D4G an initiative of ASA Past President Lisa LaVange, With a PhD in statistical community both grew and drew closer together, offers training and professional growth opportu- astrophysics, David coalescing into a stronger, more vibrant, and more nities that may affect the D4G space most of all. Corliss leads a data science team at Fiat distinct movement. Statisticians have always done Also, on the news front, Statistics Without Borders Chrysler. He serves on D4G—I like to point to the example of Florence (SWB) has a new charter, fostering a closer relation- the steering committee Nightingale in the 1850s as one early example. Yet, ship with the ASA. You can learn more about SWB for the Conference in the past year, the D4G community has gained a on their website at bit.ly/StatsWB. on Statistical Practice more distinct character. We are seeing many more The Joint Statistical Meetings saw many presen- and is the founder organizations, projects, positions, conferences, and tations and sessions with clear D4G themes. These of Peace-Work, a volunteer cooperative conference sections distinctly labeled as D4G. With highlighted both the work and the ever-advancing of statisticians and data this increased visibility has come more opportuni- technology used by D4G practitioners to help people scientists providing ties, supported by more and better networking and and to build better communities and a better world. analytic support for communication between D4G practitioners. The Karl E. Peace Award for Outstanding Statistical charitable groups and We are now amid a sea change in which D4G Contributions for the Betterment of Society was applying statistical methods in issue- activities are becoming an explicit part of many awarded to Patrick Ball of the Human Right Data driven advocacy. programs—and careers! It is my own hope and goal Analysis Group (HRDAG) for pioneering work in

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human rights violations (bit.ly/2Gh6SHA). Ball’s Get Involved work has become an inspiration and guide for many, including me. While speaking at a wonderful conference—Young Bayesians One of the most important developments of the and Big Data for Social Good from CIRM at Aix Marseilles past year has been the growth in the number and University—I met a remarkable PhD student, Matthew impact of D4G hackathons. There is now a steady Rushworth, who is working on a great D4G project addressing a stream of events to be found through internet critical environmental concern. Virtual Reef is a citizen scientist searches. In many cases, hackathons combine in- project collecting divers’ images of Australia’s Great Barrier person and virtual volunteers via streaming, remov- Reef. These crowd-sourced images are analyzed to monitor ing the requirement to be physically located where the hackathon is headquartered. Another big area and predict coral coverage. You can visit the Virtual Reef and of growth in 2018, often going hand-in-hand with contribute images at www.virtualreef.org.au. hackathons, are student groups. Rather than trying Another great opportunity coming up is a one-day conference to start new student groups in D4G, which can be April 5, Data Science for Social Good, at the Boston Museum of challenging, the most success has been found by working with existing student organizations already Science (bit.ly/DSSGBoston). I hope to see many of you there! doing good and adding the dimension of statistics and data science to their work. This valuable lesson taken a lead in addressing these issues, and it must was learned by partnering with the important work continue. All statistical work benefits from proper care of Russ Lavery at Drexel. By adding this science and and rigor, with D4G perhaps most of all. Our high technology to existing groups—with their existing calling demands we practice the highest standards of infrastructure, leadership, and university approv- reliability and reproducibility, lest any incautious work als—more students are finding a fast track to making become an ore from which denial is refined. an even greater impact with statistics and data science. Of course, one new happening in the D4G com- With the successes in 2018, there have been chal- munity in the past year is this column. I hope and lenges as well. The D4G community is starting to trust it has reflected all the rest—the success stories, experience growing pains, with more willing and volunteers and their good work, the emerging tech- interested volunteers than well-organized projects to nology, and much more. What started as an invita- enable their outstanding scientific skills and inter- tion from Mary Kwasny to write a guest column in a est. Addressing this issue will be a subject of future late 2017 issue became a concept proposal and then columns—stay tuned! this column, hopefully as a vehicle for supporting Another concern in 2018 has been the viability D4G projects. of government data resources in the United States The American Statistical Association—its offi- in an administration not always amenable to unfet- cers and members and the Amstat News staff—all tered scientific discourse. Several D4G data rescue have worked together to make this vision a reality. researchers engaged in “data rescue,” archiving pub- The unsung hero in all of this is Megan Murphy— lic data sources should access be restricted in the our editor—whose hard work, skill, patience, and future—a concern and practice time has proven sound advice has nurtured this concept and helped well-founded. bring it to blossom. Anyone who has benefitted at Of course, the D4G community is not free from all from this column owes her a deep debt of grati- any of the issues that affect the analytic community. tude, one I can never repay. The concerns about reproducibility, use—and mis- The most important role in all of this has been use! —of p-values, bias, and other questions of statis- you, the readers! Your support, comments, ideas for tical reliability are important for everyone. However, columns, and sharing with your colleagues turned they are especially critical in D4G research, partly this idea into a reality. As we go forward into the because so much is at stake and partly because our challenges and successes for another year, your sup- work on questions of social good has great potential port will continue to be the strength and light lead- to become politicized and even opposed for reasons ing the way. n other than statistical quality. The ASA has rightly

january 2019 amstat news 27 columns

STATtr@k From Graduate Student to Assistant Professor

ransitioning into your students have limited time, but I lead to an easier transition from first faculty job as an would encourage students to stra- student to professor. It is highly assistant professor may tegically go above what is expect- unlikely you will find the perfect Tseem daunting, but the process ed of them as part of the program job right out of school, so you can be easier with proper prepa- requirements. This will set you up will need to prioritize aspects of ration. This includes strategic for success in your job as an assis- the position to identify the best planning during graduate school, tant professor. job. This is different for everyone. Jaime Lynn Speiser is professional development, and For me, some of my top priori- an assistant professor at choosing the right position for Involvement as a ties were a collegial department, a Wake Forest University Student Member of ASA School of Medicine you. Then, arriving at a new job, diverse department (age, gender, in the Department of being intentional about how you In conjunction with additional backgrounds), a department with Biostatistical Sciences. spend your time is imperative. I academic activities, I pursued a strong and accessible depart- She earned her PhD am not an expert on any of this, many career development activities ment chair, location of the job, in biostatistics at the Medical University of but I recently went through the as a graduate student. Being a stu- and a job where I would likely South Carolina, MS in process. The transition from dent member of the ASA was invalu- get tenure. It was also important statistics at The Ohio graduate student to faculty is able for accessing these activities. to be in a department with good State University, and probably going to be different for Attending national and local people who could serve as faculty BS in mathematics at everyone, but I hope to share some conferences was beneficial for me mentors as I began my career. My Elon University. insight about my experience. in developing my professional graduate mentors, as well as other network. I joined the South faculty members at my graduate While in Graduate School Carolina Chapter, which was a school, provided invaluable discus- As a graduate student, there are great way to connect with other sion and advice for me while I was many ways you can prepare for academics and students in my going through the job search process. your future as a professor, if that area. I have found that our field Regardless of the type of is what you are interested in. I has many wise professionals who assistant professor position you always knew I wanted to be an are happy to give advice. want, you should be clear about academic, so I pursued activities I applied for several student research, teaching, and service that would look desirable for a travel awards for meetings, which expectations. I was looking for an future university employer and not only provided me funding academic position that balanced provide exceptional work experi- to attend those conferences, but time between both teaching and ence. For example, I volunteered also looked good on my résumé. research. Ultimately, I decided on departmental and college ser- Additionally, the ASA’s JobWeb to accept a position with a low vice committees. Additionally, was a useful tool for finding jobs, teaching load and high research I applied for my own funding, as well as for understanding what expectation. Ahead of interview- which was a great way for me to salary to expect for different types ing, you should think about what learn about the process of writing of jobs. aspects are priorities versus those you and successfully obtaining a grant. Overall, the ASA has many would be willing to compromise. Before I began interviewing resources available to foster pro- While I was interviewing at for academic positions, I wrote fessional growth. Taking advan- various positions, I kept detailed the next grant I was planning to tage of these as a graduate student lists to evaluate these factors. submit. This was a benefit for me is a great way to differentiate your- After you are offered a position, not only at the job application self and springboard your career. there is an opportunity for you phase, but also when I began my to negotiate some of the aspects position. I had a grant I immedi- Choosing the Right Position that are important to you, but ately submitted (which was suc- It may seem obvious, but choos- there is no guarantee you will get cessful!). I understand graduate ing the right position for you will everything you ask for. I tried to

28 amstat news january 2019 columns

negotiate more teaching into my included submitting a career may think you are, be con- development grant, joining fident in yourself and what contract, but because my depart- departmental committees, you bring to the table. ment does not have our own co-mentoring a graduate graduate program, this was not student, attending career 6. Attending new faculty events feasible. Despite this, I am elated development sessions hosted and faculty development with my decision to accept this by my university, and col- activities is a good way to job, and my transition into being laborating with researchers meet people who are poten- an assistant professor has been in a different department. tial collaborators and friends. smooth because I chose the right Whatever the expectations 7. You have a real salary now, job for me. of your job as an assistant but don’t go too crazy after professor, I would encourage Moving to a New Location you get your first paycheck. you to get involved as soon I like to splurge on small Starting a new job in academia as you can. things that are important to usually requires moving to a new 2. Meet with as many people as me and make me happy, but location. This is often accompa- generally have kept a similar nied by stress from various sourc- you can to develop collaborations and get advice about lifestyle to when I was in es. Moving is stressful; learning a how to be successful in your graduate school. new area is stressful; meeting new job. I recommend meet- people is stressful. Remember to ing with people inside and Hushing the Doubt take time for yourself and your outside of your department, Across all levels of academia, mental well-being. Transitioning so you have a broad idea of many people have the imposter from graduate school to a new projects across the university. syndrome. I have often won- location can be emotionally tax- dered, “Am I smart enough for ing. I loved the city in which I 3. Find a formal mentoring this job? What if I tell someone attended graduate school and committee. I had input the wrong answer? Do I deserve had a lot of friends there. After about who was on my com- this job? Why is it that the more five plus years of graduate school, mittee, but my department I know, the more I realize I do it can be challenging to start over chair facilitated this. I meet not know?” I think it is natural to in a new place. I have been at my with the committee twice a have doubts about yourself, espe- faculty job for about a year now, year to discuss progress to tenure and career develop- cially when you begin your first and it is finally starting to feel like ment. They helped me con- faculty job. Though I am not sure home. Be patient with yourself nect with researchers across the doubt will ever completely go during these major life changes! the university when I started away, I try to remind myself that Starting as an my job. I am smart, that I worked vigor- ously to get to this position, and Assistant Professor 4. Figure out who can help you that I am worthy. After years of preparing for this with administrative tasks Sometimes when I think as a graduate student and settling (e.g., ordering new business about how happy and fulfilled I into a new location, it is finally cards, securing a conference am in my job as an assistant pro- time to start working as an assis- room, and spending your fessor, the word “luck” comes to tant professor. The way I see it, start-up funds). Staff mem- mind; however, luck had little to I do the same work, but I have bers in the department are do with it, because I had charted a better office now (with a win- extremely helpful! a course as a graduate student and dow!). In no order, my thoughts 5. Remember you are in worked tirelessly to get to this and advice about starting the job demand and collaborative position. If you believe in your- include the following. researchers need your input self and plan your career path 1. Jump in! Say “yes” to as for projects. I mainly work early on, I am sure you will have a with medical researchers much as you can right when successful transition from gradu- who, on average, are about you start. Whether this is ate student to assistant professor. teaching, mentoring, or 30 years older than me and have lots of experience in their It is not all sunshine and rain- researching, getting involved bows, but try to enjoy the ride! n in projects will get your clinical fields. No matter how career going. For me, this young or inexperienced you

january 2019 amstat news 29 columns

MASTER’S NOTEBOOK Making Decisions for a Long, Satisfying Career

hen I think back to the beginning of my It’s not easy to consider other options after work- time as a young statistician, which was ing hard and long on a degree. However, someone more than 30 years ago, I often think told me about a SAS User’s Group meeting, where I Wabout how I made the decision to become a statisti- met people at Genentech in need of programming cian. How did my career evolve along the way? and statistics skills. This is when my new adventure What worked, and what didn’t? Considering my in biopharmaceuticals began. path, this is what I would wish to know if I were still While I missed marine ecology, I loved the sci- Susan Duke works for in school or recently graduated: Find your way to a ence of pharmaceutical research and improved job the FDA/CDER/Office of Biostatistics and is job that gives you internal meaning and purpose, a security. My science background presents differ- a Biopharmaceutical job that allows you to be your undivided, whole self. ent strengths than statisticians with undergraduate Section member. She I use my career as an example here. Your motivations backgrounds in math and statistics have. There are lives in downtown Silver and preferences will be different, so you may want to times my skill set has presented challenges—such Spring, Maryland, with substitute your own variables for the best effect. as when methods development and management her two Maine Coon cats, are the only career pathways. Other times, I’ve had Giada and AngelFire. Her Where to Go to School? hobbies include social more opportunities because of my science and ecol- dance, choral singing, and Regardless of the school one attends, what may ogy background, like now when safety, data inter- exploring the amazing matter most as an undergraduate are the influen- pretation for good decision-making, structured metropolis and parklands tial professors, coaches, musical directors, peers, thinking, and bioinformatics are becoming more of Washington, DC, and random people one meets, as well as one’s own known and valued in our profession. with friends. investment of time and energy—from coursework What are your strengths and interests? How and scholarship to social connections and commu- might they benefit your employer or another? How nity activities. can you use your agency and insights to benefit I’m a first-generation college graduate who was them and yourself? raised in a farming community. Going to a well- pedigreed school wasn’t on my radar. I graduated How I Evolved My Career from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, a small Self-reflection, feedback from leaders I trust, and school where I got to know my professors because of keeping an eye out for situations that light me up the small class sizes and friendly learning environment. creates much more joy than following advice that My degree in biology and concentration in envi- doesn’t resonate or the latest trend. What are your ronmental studies were what fascinated me, what I passions? Which emails do you open right away? demonstrated a talent for, and what showed promise Which projects do you finish early or put more for a successful career. Two years later, I attended shine on? Even when we don’t realize them con- graduate school at Louisiana State University for a sciously, these enthusiastic behaviors are guideposts master’s in marine science and, on the advice of my to our internal drivers. adviser, went for a second MS in applied statistics. My own journey took me to Seattle next, for a total of 10 years on the West Coast and two years How to Get That First Job? in Colorado. There was much to learn about regu- Doesn’t the rubber meet the road of employability lations, endpoints, methods, and understanding when seeking that first position? I moved to the Bay the context of these diseases and medicines. Next, Area and thought I’d surely find a marine or estu- I spent 18 years at GSK—first as a respiratory stat- arine-oriented research position; it’s a big bay! But istician, then as an internal consultant on tools, those jobs weren’t to be found within a reasonable processes, and standards to benefit statisticians and commute of our home in Mountain View. What to do? their customers. This led to developing expertise

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in graphic design, serving as business lead for IT bioinformatics. People who have worked at FDA for deployment of graphics tools, and playing a key role much of their careers have respect for and curiosity in the development and culture shift of how GSK about what it is like as an industry statistician. It quantifies benefit-risk across their portfolio. is understood that both perspectives are valuable. For a short time, I tried another role that Working at FDA has been a wonderful opportunity entailed a cross-country move. I realized it wasn’t to make use of what I have learned over a long career. a good fit and considered what to do next. I took advantage of this challenge to self-reflect. What did I learn? Where was my internal compass point- Suggested Reading ing? Protecting the public good figures heavily into transparency, graphics, and benefit-risk assessment. Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success Where could I put my experience and curiosity to Adam Grant good work? What was my package of assets and Drive interests, and how could this be used to best effect? I made some inquiries at the US Food and Daniel H. Pink Drug Administration. Happily, they agreed I was Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking a good fit and I started working in the Center for Susan Cain Drug Evaluation and Research’s (CDER) Office of Biostatistics earlier this year. Working here is amaz- The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom ing—the science, variety of indications, endpoints (A Toltec Wisdom Book) and methods, collegiality, and higher purpose of our Don Miguel Ruiz roles as drug reviewers all make it a fulfilling place to work, both for statisticians fresh out of school and Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference for people like me who are writing a final chapter Malcolm Gladwell about a long and fascinating professional journey. What does a CDER statistics reviewer do? I Outliers: The Story of Success review investigational new drugs and new drug Malcolm Gladwell applications in the pulmonary area of the Division of Biometrics II (DBII), Office of Biostatistics in CDER, along with several colleagues. We pulmo- What Has Made for an Enjoyable Work Life? nary statisticians meet regularly with our team lead- What brings me inspiration and fulfillment are er, which encourages consistency. We also present those experiences that suit who I am. Surely, that’s our draft review plans to fellow DBII members, so true for us all? Knowing oneself comes from having we get everyone’s ideas about what is important to experiences and listening to yourself about whether review and how. Knowing the importance of the they fit. Find your agency, walk your journey, be decisions we are making to patients and sponsors, aware of those who go out of their way to nourish we put much care, respect, and diligence into our and support you, and—for goodness sake—support reviews. Fellow reviewers are enthusiastic about them, too. helping each other. I’ve advised some on graphics and benefit-risk and received helpful comments. Higher Purpose I’ve continued with activities in safety statistics, What’s yours? Joy and meaning can be found there. n graphics, and benefit-risk with my colleagues in DBII and with our office’s new deputy director of

january 2019 amstat news 31 meetings Invited Session Proposals Wanted for ICES VI Topic-Contributed Sessions Methods and Practices for Statistics on If a proposal is not accepted as an invited session, Businesses, Farms, and Institutions the organizer can resubmit the proposal as a topic- June 15–18, 2020 contributed session with four papers and a discussant. Information about the differences between The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, Louisiana invited and topic-contributed sessions and their formats is available at bit.ly/ICES2020. s the sixth in the series of international conferences on establishment statistics, ICES VI is Publication designed to look forward at key issues, meth- This conference will feature an edited volume. ods,A and research findings pertaining to establishment Presenters in invited sessions are highly encouraged statistics. The program committee invites you to sub- to submit their manuscripts for publication con- mit a proposal for an invited paper session by June 13. sideration. Presenters might also be contacted by a member of the Publication Committee and invited to consider publishing their paper. All invited session presenters are encouraged to include their manuscripts in the conference proceedings. For more information about ICES VI, visit bit.ly/ICES2020. n

Invited Sessions There are a limited number of slots for invited ses- Save the Date: Data Institute sions. To ensure that all invited sessions are of a Annual Conference consistently high quality, organizers must provide sufficient information to clearly demonstrate the This year’s Data Institute San Francisco Conference importance of the topic and quality of its contribu- (DSCO19) will take place March 10–12 in San tion. The program committee encourages proposals Francisco, California. The goal of the conference is addressing one or more related topics from various to draw leaders of industry and academia together angles, incorporating presenters and perspectives to explore the latest theoretical advances and tech- from different countries and organizations. nological applications in data science. Invited sessions will last 100 minutes, including The following six tracks will organize floor discussion. The session organizer may choose the conference: between the following two formats: • Deep Learning • Two papers (35 minutes each or one longer • Design of Experiments and one shorter presentation) + discussant (15 • Data Science in Marketing minutes) + floor discussions (15 minutes) • Network Analysis • Three papers (25 minutes each) + discussant and floor discussions (25 minutes split among • Machine Learning and Technology discussant and floor discussion) • Data Science-Accelerants of the Sustainable Development Goals and High Dimensional Proposal Submission Signal Processing Session organizers will be asked to submit a proposal that describes the session topic in detail, including This conference is limited to 350 participants. the following: Attendees can expect to learn about the latest • Names of all session presenters and discussant advances from an invited group of cutting-edge researchers. • Titles and short descriptions of each presentation Visit the website at www.sfdatainstitute.org to Once you have a sufficient number of commit- view the list of speakers and schedule of events ted speakers, you can submit your proposal online and to register. Follow #DSCO19 on Twitter for up- until June 13. to-date information.

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Panel Members Share Career Path with Cochran, a 2014 ASA Founder The INFORMS President’s Undergraduates Award recipient, has led a dis- Award is to recognize, and there- tinguished career as an educator by encourage, important contri- Seven biostatisticians/statisti- and researcher for more than 20 butions to the welfare of society cians and three graduate stu- years. He developed and leads a by members of our profession dents came to Haverford College teaching effectiveness colloquium at the local, national, or global in Pennsylvania November 3, series, which introduces teachers level. Achievements suitable for 2018, to share their career paths, in 14 developing nations to state- this recognition may be in tech- research projects, and overall of-the-art educational methods, nical or scientific education or experiences with local under- including distance learning, col- in paid or voluntary consulting graduate students. The panelists laborative learning, active learn- or management (commercial, came from various pharmaceuti- ing, and project-based learning. academic, governmental, or non- cal companies, consulting firms, Cochran is also the found- profit). The award is given each and universities. Six biostatistics ing editor-in-chief of the Wiley year at the national meeting. and statistics department chairs Encyclopedia of Operations For information about the or graduate program directors Research and Management award and INFORMS, visit also introduced their graduate Science, which is a 6,000+-page their website at www.informs.org. programs during the event. reference containing more than You can also watch Cochran’s Three presentations were given, 600 articles written by eminent short talk on YouTube at bit. titled “Life as a Biostatistician/ scholars and available online for ly/2EuIGQp. n Statistician in Industry,” “Life free in developing nations. The as a Biostatistician/Statistician articles published in the encyclo- in Academia,” and “Graduate pedia are used in classrooms, to Obituary Programs in Biostatistics/Statistics.” address applications, and as refer- Tom Short Besides giving presentations, ence sources for research articles panelists also had lunch with par- and literature surveys. On November 18, 2018, Tom ticipants and answered questions. Cochran also served two terms Short, the co-editor of Statistics The event was sponsored by as editor-in-chief of INFORMS Education Research Journal (SERJ) the ASA’s Biometrics Section Transactions on Education, which from 2006 to 2009, went miss- and Koshland Integrated Natural publishes open-access teaching from near his family’s home Sciences Center of Haverford ing materials, including cases. in the area outside of Cleveland, College. Visit Amstat Online to During his tenure, teaching Ohio. On December 4, 2018, a view photos of the event. n materials were provided to instruc- body was found, which was later tors from more than 100 countries. confirmed to be Tom. James Cochran, professor Visitation and a service and associate dean for research were held December 22 at at the Culverhouse College Messiah Lutheran Church in of Business, University of Lyndhurst, Ohio. The fam- Alabama, was recently honored ily has requested that dona- by the Institute for Operations tions toward a scholarship in Research and the Management Tom’s name be made in lieu of Sciences (INFORMS) with its flowers (bit.ly/2QUjgS7). 2018 President’s Award for his Tom was editor of the Journal high-impact initiatives that have of Statistics Education prior to improved the global education SERJ, and both journals plan to of operations research, analytics, have separate tribute pieces to and statistics. Cochran honor Tom in 2019.

january 2019 amstat news 33 people news Bay Area Biotech-Pharma Statistics Workshop a Great Venue for Learning, Networking Jing Huang

From Left: Jing Huang, Ruixiao From Left: Chito Hernanadez, Tara From Left: Ying Lu and Liang Fang From Left: Jeetu Ganju and David Zhang Lu, Ron Yu, Lisa LaVange, and Maddala, and Lisa LaVange Kathy Zhang ore than 250 statisticians on qualities a great leader should the way we collect data. Innovative and their colleagues in possess such as critical thinking data analysis and collection meth- related fields gathered in and objectivity. ods are even more important for SiliconM Valley November 5–6, Following LaVange, Steven handling such rapid changes. 2018, to attend the Bay Area Shak—cofounder and CMO/ A second session focused on Biotech-Pharma Statistics CSO of Genomic Health—gave a machine learning and big data Workshop (BBSW 2018) and dis- talk titled “Technology Innovations applications in drug and diagnos- cuss cutting-edge statistical meth- in Health Care and Medicine.” He tic development. Speakers from odologies and best practices in the reviewed the recent evolution of Genentech, Google, and Veracyte analytical field that will change breast cancer management and shared their experiences leveraging patient care. highlighted the importance of big data and the rapid develop- The theme of the workshop was precision diagnostic tools to help ment in machine learning, particu- “Innovation and Impact.” The Bay patients avoid unnecessary treat- larly deep learning, to help improve Area is a hotbed for the biotech and ments. Another focus was the value patient management. pharmaceutical industries, with of productive collaboration across Lunch on the second day one of the largest clusters of statisti- functions—how important it is for included a roundtable discussion in cians. BBSW filled the need for a clinicians and senior management which six experts in their respective high-quality statistics conference by to listen to statisticians and include fields led informative discussions bringing the community closer and them from the inception of a project. with their groups. The afternoon providing a venue for local statisti- The afternoon program includ- invited session revealed successful cians, bioinformaticians, data sci- ed an invited session on innovative examples in statistical innovation. entists, and programmers to learn, trial design and a panel discussion Finally, the workshop ended with interact, brainstorm, and network. on recently released ICH and regu- a panel discussion on innovation, The workshop opened with a latory guidance. During the din- impact, and leadership. keynote by Lisa LaVange, 2018 ner, Mingxiu Hu, senior vice presi- The workshop was hosted by ASA president. Her presenta- dent at Nektar Therapeutics, gave DahShu, a nonprofit organization focused on fostering statisti- a banquet speech and shared his tion founded in 2015 to pro- cal leaders and increasing their thoughts on how statisticians can mote research and education impact through day-to-day work. drive strategic decisions to improve in data science. It was cospon- LaVange touched on her lifelong drug development efficiency. sored by industrial and profes- journey as a statistician working The second day of the work- sional organizations, includ- across industry, academia, and gov- shop began with a session on inno- ing the ASA Biopharmaceutical ernment. She shared with the audi- vative technology and applications Section and San Francisco Bay ence important insights about how in clinical trials. Speakers in this Area Chapter. More information to be a great leader and encouraged session touched on how wear- about the conference can be found the audience to step up to the plate able devices and smartphones are at bit.ly/2S1M8oS. n since statisticians are well-trained actively changing our lifestyle and 34 amstat news january 2019 people news

Obituary Association’s Committee on Scientific Freedom Herb and Louise taught human rights and Human Rights, he led a number of human activists at Columbia’s School of International Herb Spirer rights campaigns in several countries. and Public Affairs (SIPA) during the late 1990s. by Patrick Ball Herb was an indefatigable supporter of sci- One of their co-teachers, Fred Abrahams of Herbert Spirer, a consultant in statisti- entists attacked for their work. Demographer Human Rights Watch, recalled, “Herb taught cal science to the Human Rights Data Beth Daponte remembers that, in the early me about the stories that numbers can tell, Analysis Group (HRDAG) passed away 1990s, Herb “came out of the heavens like the hidden lines of truth that make a forceful October 25, 2018. He was 93. Herb sup- an angel in my moment of need and turned human rights case. He demanded rigor in the ported HRDAG since before it formally my life totally around. I remember the first collection and analysis of data, as a professional existed. With his wife, Louise, Herb men- time I heard his voice. It was on my answering scientist would. And he pushed for that analysis tored almost everyone—or he mentored machine in Alexandria. The Washington Post to feed into the conclusions and recommendations their mentors—who works in human had run the story that morning of how the we make so abuses are minimized or stopped.” rights data analysis today. Herb led a gen- Census Bureau ‘proposed to fire me’ when Another of the Spirers’ SIPA colleagues was eration of statisticians to work in human [my] Iraqi wartime mortality estimates came Scott Campbell, now at the United Nations rights and he taught a generation of human out, and it was as if my phone was on constant High Commission for Human Rights. Scott rights activists about scientific rigor. ring … [but] when I heard Herb’s voice [on the recalls Herb’s boundless energy and contagious Herb was a military policeman in occu- answering machine], I knew that, in the long enthusiasm for human rights and science. “He pied Japan after World War II. After earning run, I would be okay.” was so passionate about both—and getting an undergraduate degree in engineering phys- I first met Herb in 1993 through the the science (and data) right to advance human ics, he worked as an engineer, building and American Association for the Advancement of rights as effectively as possible.” programming computers at the dawn of their Science (AAAS). We debated database design Herb was given many awards related to his use in the early 1960s. He earned his MA and, with Louise, he read every one of my dis- human rights advocacy. He was elected as a fel- and PhD in operations research from New sertation chapters and reports I wrote for the low of the ASA (1994) and a member of the York University and, in 1966, began an aca- AAAS. He and Louise faxed pages back to me International Statistical Association in recogni- demic career as a lecturer at the University of with detailed, invaluable, insightful comments. tion of his achievements in applying statisti- Connecticut, where he became a full professor They were candid, sometimes even rough, but cal analysis to human rights. In 2009, he was in 1975. He stayed at UConn for 25 years. I always felt the depth of the connection and inducted into the UConn Hall of Fame with He began his human rights–related work compassion they felt for me. They taught me to an emeritus faculty award. after a conversation with Richard Savage, the write more carefully and to reason more deeply. He was funny, he was kind, and he was full renowned statistician who inspired other statis- Herb showed me how to apply statistical think- of infectious enthusiasm. At a party for human ticians to enter the field of human rights. In “A ing to a far wider range of problems than I’d ever rights activists at my house in 1996—he would History of the ASA Committee on Scientific before considered. Perhaps the best example have been 71—he challenged everyone there Freedom and Human Rights to 2015,” Spirer came in 1995. to a push-up contest. He got no takers because recalls this about his conversation with Savage: Herb realized we could compare patterns he was so obviously fitter than any of us who “I was helping to make corporations more of homicides documented in the records of were 40 years younger. He insisted instead that wealthy for 20 years and I wanted to help con- the Haitian National University morgue with we push back the furniture and turn up the tribute something.” killings reported to the National Commission music. He and Louise danced so gracefully we In this early period, Herb collaborated for Truth and Justice. After long email con- were inspired to live and love as well as they did. with statistician Doug Samuelson, who versations while I sat in Port-au-Prince and Herb’s life exemplified the best of what a scien- recalled that Herb was an early and enthusias- he sat in Stamford, we found the two pat- tist 0can offer: precision, honesty, modesty, and tic adopter of email for remote collaborations. terns coincided in time and over geography a fascination with technical concerns bound to a Herb and Doug pioneered key thinking and concluded that either the two series were deep commitment to making the world a better about the nonrandom pattern of missingness unbiased or they shared the same bias. place. I know I speak for dozens of others when in human rights data. Herb’s insights and gen- This was the first time I considered wheth- I say it is among my life’s greatest points of pride tle humor inspired collaborations and helped er observed data with no probability sampling to number myself among his students. launch the subfield of statisticians working might not represent the true patterns. Herb Donations can be made in memory of on human rights questions. Herb and Louise and I later collaborated on a book about Herbert Spirer to the Spirer/Dueker Student wrote Data Analysis for Monitoring Human Guatemala (State Violence in Guatemala) and, Humanitarian Achievement Award Fund at the Rights (1994). It was a textbook for statistical with Louise, we edited a volume of technical University of Connecticut. Please make checks novices and has been translated into several reports by staff members of the truth com- payable to The UConn Foundation, Inc. and languages, including Russian and Nepalese. missions in El Salvador, Haiti, Guatemala, include the following: Spirer/Dueker Student Herb served as a statistical consultant on and South Africa (Making the Case). I think Humanitarian Achievement Award Fund data analysis to the United Nations International Herb and Louise may have rewritten every (#30821) in memory of Herbert Spirer. Mail to Tribunal on the former Yugoslavia, Human one of the technical reports, and their insis- UConn Foundation, 2390 Alumni Drive, Unit Rights Watch, the Institute for the Study tence on clarity and focus is the central reason 3206, Storrs, CT 06269. You can also donate of Genocide, and many other NGOs. As a the volume is so valuable to both technical online at bit.ly/2QvWel6. member and chair of the American Statistical and nontechnical readers.

january 2019 amstat news 35 awards & deadlines

Deadlines and Contact Information for Select ASA National Awards, Special Lectureships, and COPSS Awards Program Deadline Nominations Questions Laurel A. Beckett Karl E. Peace Award Feb. 1, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] W. J. Dixon Award for Excellence Michael E. Griswold Feb. 1, 2019 [email protected] in Statistical Consulting [email protected] Harry V. Roberts Statistical Advocate Anthony J. Babinec Feb. 15, 2019 [email protected] of the Year Award [email protected] Steven G. Heeringa Samuel S. Wilks Memorial Award Feb. 15, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] W. J. Youden Award in Angela M. Dean Feb. 15, 2019 [email protected] Interlaboratory Testing [email protected] Ann R. Cannon Waller Awards Feb. 15, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] Statistics in Physical Engineering Feb. 20, 2019 Ming Li, [email protected] Sciences Award Eloise E. Kaizar Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship Feb. 23, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] Causality in Statistics Education Award March 1, 2019 [email protected] Dipankar Bandyopadhyay Edward C. Bryant Scholarship Trust Fund March 1, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] Sat N. Gupta Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award March 1, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] ASA Fellows March 1, 2019 [email protected] Lillian S. Lin ASA Mentoring Award March 1, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] Jung-Ying Tzeng Outstanding Statistical Application Award March 1, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] Statistical Partnerships Among Academe, Kelly H. Zou March 1, 2019 [email protected] Industry, and Government (SPAIG) Award [email protected] Lisa M. LaVange Founders Award March 15, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] Biopharmaceutical Section Scholarship Award March 15, 2019 https://community.amstat.org/biop/awards/scholarship Arthur B. Kennickell Links Lecture Award May 1, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] Ronald L. Wasserstein Lester R. Curtin Award Oct. 15, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] Victoria Sides Lingzi Lu Memorial Award Oct. 15, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] Roger W. Hoerl Deming Lecturer Award Nov. 15, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] John L. Czajka Monroe. G. Sirken Award in Oct. 15, 2019 [email protected] [email protected] Interdisciplinary Survey Methods Research

Elizabeth L. Scott Award Dec. 15, 2019 community.amstat.org/copss/home

36 amstat news january 2019 awards & deadlines

Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award

he The Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award recognizes and encourages the mentoring of Previous Award Winners junior staff in the statistical community in Rich Allen (National Agriculture Statistical Service), 2003 Tfederal, state, or local government. It is awarded annually to a supervisor, technical director, team Beth Kilss (Internal Revenue Service), 2004 coordinator, or other statistical staff member who is Renee Miller (Energy Information Administration), 2005 nominated by a supervisor and co-workers for his or Martin O’Connell (US Census Bureau), 2006 her efforts in supporting the work and developing the careers of junior staff. Stephanie Shipp (National Institute of Standards and Technology), 2007 The award was established to honor Griffith, who died in August 2001, after working for more Rosemary D. Marcuss (Bureau of Economic Analysis), 2008 than 25 years in the federal statistical system. Kevin Cecco (Internal Revenue Service) and Lillian S. Lin Throughout her career, and especially in her lat- (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), 2009 ter senior management positions at the National Deborah H. Griffin (US Census Bureau), 2010 Center for Education Statistics and the National Science Foundation, one of Griffith’s highest priori- Jenise L. Swall (US Environmental Protection Agency), 2011 ties was to mentor and encourage younger staff at all Bill Mockovak (Bureau of Labor Statistics), 2012 levels to learn, grow, and recognize and seize career Brian Harris-Kojetin (Office of Management and Budget), 2013 opportunities as they came along. The award recipient will be selected for his or her J. Gregory Robinson (US Census Bureau) and Kenneth efforts to support the work and develop the careers Schoendorf (National Center for Health Statistics), 2014 of junior staff. Preference will be given to individu- Aldo “Skip” Vecchia (US Geological Survey), 2015 als with a track record of mentoring government Diane L. Willimack (US Census Bureau), 2016 statisticians. Examples of typical mentoring activi- Cynthia Ogden (National Center for Health Statistics), 2017 ties include the following: • Advising junior staff to help them create Carol Gotway Crawford (US Government Accountability career opportunities, networking skills, and Office), 2018 contacts for growth and development • Counseling junior staff and providing resourc- Nominations for the 2019 will be accepted until es to help develop their technical writing, March 22. The nomination form and guidelines are analysis, presentation, and organizational skills available from the Government Statistics Section and the and knowledge Social Statistics Section websites (see bit.ly/2GgpeIJ). The award committee will determine the award • Encouraging the growth and career develop- winner in April. The award will consist of a $1,000 ment of junior staff through attendance and oral presentations at meetings with higher- honorarium, a citation, and a plaque, which will level officials, staff of other agencies, professional be presented at a ceremony arranged by the co- associations, training courses, and conferences sponsors. Contact Kevin Cecco at [email protected] if your organization would like to co-sponsor the award. • Motivating junior staff and building self- The nomination package must be emailed to confidence by providing feedback, being a lis- [email protected] or mailed to the Jeanne E. Griffith tener when needed, and creating a caring and Mentoring Award Committee, c/o The American supportive environment Statistical Association, 732 N. Washington Street, • Serving as a role model for junior staff Alexandria, VA 22314-1943 through professional expertise; information Questions about the award can be addressed to and insights; balancing collegial and personal ASA Professional Development and Sections and roles; and including everyone regardless of Chapters Manager Rick Peterson at [email protected] rank, race, ethnicity, or seniority or (703) 684-1221 or the chair of the award committee, Bill Mockovak, at [email protected]. n

january 2019 amstat news 37 awards & deadlines

Nominations Wanted for 2019 Gertrude M. Cox Award Cox became the first head of the Statistical Research 2019 Award Committee Members Division at newly founded RTI. She was a founding member of the International Biometric Society WSS President Tom Krenzke (co-chair) (IBS), and in 1949, became the first woman elect- WSS Past President Linda Young ed into the International Statistical Institute. She WSS President-Elect Eilleen O’Brien served as president of both the American Statistical Abhik Das, RTI Association (1956) and IBS (1968–1969). In 1975, she was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Phil Kott, RTI The award is presented at the WSS Annual Karol Krotki, RTI (co-chair) Dinner, usually held in June, with the recipient delivering a talk on a topic of general interest to the WSS membership before the dinner. he Gertrude M. Cox Award committee is This award is made possible by funding from accepting nominations for the award, estab- RTI International, and the recipient is chosen by a six- lished in 2003 through a joint agreement person committee—three each from WSS and RTI. Tbetween the Washington Statistical Society (WSS) The award includes a $1,000 honorarium, travel and RTI International. The award annually recog- expenses to attend the WSS Annual Dinner, and nizes a statistician in their early to mid-career (fewer a commemorative WSS plaque. Past recipients, in than 15 years after terminal degree) who has made chronological order, include Sharon Lohr, Alan significant contributions to one or more of the Zaslavsky, Tom Belin, Vance Berger, Francesca applied statistics areas in which Gertrude Cox Domenici, Thomas Lumley, Jean Opsomer, Michael (1900–1978) worked: survey methodology, experi- Elliott, Nilanjan Chatterjee, Amy Herring, Frauke mental design, biostatistics, and statistical computing. Kreuter, Jerome Reiter, Jae Kwang Kim, Bhramar In 1945, Cox became director of the Institute Mukherjee, and Elizabeth Stuart, and David Haziza. of Statistics of the Consolidated University of Please email your nominations to Karol Krotki North Carolina. In the 1950s, as head of the North at [email protected] by February 28, 2019, with a sup- Carolina State College Department of Experimental porting statement and CV (or a link to one). Statistics, she played a key role in establishing math- If you have previously nominated a candidate ematical statistics and biostatistics departments at and you wish that nomination to be reconsidered, the University of North Carolina. Upon her retire- please send an update of the supporting materials. n ment from North Carolina State University in 1960,

Nominate a Colleague for ASA Fellow The designation of ASA Fellow has been a significant • Position held with employer honor for nearly 100 years. Under ASA bylaws, the • ASA activities Committee on Fellows can elect up to one-third of one • Membership and accomplishments in other percent of the total association membership as fellows societies each year. • Professional activities Individuals are nominated by their ASA-member To be eligible for nomination, a person must be a peers. To be selected, nominees must have an current member of the ASA who has held continuous established reputation and have made outstanding membership from March 1, 2016, to February 28, 2019. contributions to statistical science. The Committee on Fellows evaluates each candidate’s contributions to Nominations may be submitted online until March 1 at the advancement of statistical science and places due bit.ly/2CdCfPx. weight on the following: • Published works

38 amstat news january 2019 section • chapter • committee news sectionnews

Quality and Productivity Every year, Q&P sponsors information about the award three conferences, student awards, and how to apply is posted at Brian P. Weaver, 2019 Section Chair and one achievement award. bit.ly/1vZQVZd. I’m humbled to have been As JSM approaches, stay selected by all of you to serve the 2019 Quality and Productivity tuned for more information Quality and Productivity Section Research Conference (QPRC) about Q&P-sponsored events, (Q&P) as the 2019 chair. Q&P QPRC will be held at American including the Q&P mixer. is a section for collaboration University in Washington, DC, among statisticians from universi- June 10–13, with a short course 2019 Fall Technical Conference (FTC) ties, manufacturing industries, and offered June 10. The theme of The 63rd FTC will be held government agencies. the 2019 conference is “Data and September 25–27, 2019, in Q&P has had the good for- Science Bring Quality, Reliance.” Gaithersburg, Maryland, at the tune to advance statistics through We invite you to contribute a National Institute of Standards collaboration. As times have talk or poster presentation. Visit and Technology. The theme of changed, the type of problems bit.ly/2GhZkoe for details. this year’s conference is “Statistics: the typical Q&P researcher In conjunction with QPRC, Setting the Standard for Success experiences has also evolved. We the Mary G. and Joseph Natrella in Quality.” The goal is to engage are now found working in areas Scholarship offers a grant and researchers and practitioners in a such as customer call centers, travel stipend to students pursu- dialogue that leads to more effec- fraud detection, and finance. As ing full-time graduate work with tive use of statistics to improve a result, the Q&P statistician demonstrated interest in quality quality and foster innovation. has had to expand their statisti- and statistics. For more informa- For more information, visit www. cal toolbox, reaching into the tion, visit bit.ly/2LhXCls. falltechnicalconference.org. realms of statistical machine learning, parallel computing, 2019 Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) Gerald J. Hahn Q&P uncertainty quantification, and JSM 2019 will be held from Achievement Award other branches of statistics not July 27 to August 1 in Denver, Q&P continues to sponsor the traditionally associated with the Colorado. Q&P will offer up to Gerald J. Hahn Achievement quality researcher. It is an excit- three JSM travel awards of $400 Award. This award recognizes ing time to be a section member! for students enrolled in a gradu- an individual who has demon- I would like to thank all Q&P ate program with a concentration strated outstanding and sustained officers and volunteers. Many in applied statistics and/or qual- achievement and leadership in statisticians and other researchers ity management. Student appli- developing, promoting, and suc- greatly benefit from your contri- cants must show a demonstrated cessfully improving the quality butions. If you have any ques- interest in quality applications, and productivity of products and tions, concerns, suggestions, or are as evidenced by coursework, organizational performance using interested in volunteering, please research topics, or prior work- statistical concepts and methods email me at [email protected]. I ing experience. Applicants either over a period of 20 or more years. would love to meet you in person presenting a paper or participat- Nominations are due February at one of Q&P’s sponsored events! ing in a poster session will receive 28. For more information, visit extra consideration. Complete bit.ly/24QS8zt. n

january 2019 amstat news 39 section • chapter • committee news

Physical and Engineering Sciences Message from Incoming Chair Byran Smucker

he Section on Physical and successful in both traditional and at the National Institute of Engineering Sciences emerging statistical areas. Standards and Technology. Your (SPES) is one of the oldest If you are interested in advanc- involvement in these activities is TASA sections, but there is a need ing ideas combining data science, desired and appreciated. I wel- to continually evaluate the mis- machine learning, or big data come any feedback or additional sion, objectives, and strategies to methods with application areas of ideas and look forward to serving serve our membership faithfully interest to the SPES community, you in 2019. and effectively. If you are a mem- please consider getting involved. ber of SPES, I encourage you to For instance, you might plan a Call for SPES Award Nominations review our charter at bit. workshop that specifically con- Ming Li, SPES Award Committee Chair ly/2rEcS3e and provide feedback nects big data or machine learning The SPES Award is bestowed regarding parts you affirm and to industrial statistics and related upon a distinguished individual elements that should be modified areas, or you might organize an or individuals based on their or jettisoned. invited session at JSM or the Fall innovative use of statistics to In the same spirit, here are a Technical Conference discussing solve a high-impact problem in couple of ideas I will be thinking how the SPES community can the physical and engineering sci- about over the next year. connect more strongly to these ences. In odd-numbered years, First, I hope SPES expands areas. Email me at smuckerb@ the award is presented for a paper support for big data tools and miamioh.edu if you’d like to dis- published in a refereed statistics, methods within our commu- cuss your ideas. physics, chemistry, or engineering nity. Though we will continue to A second thought is about journal during the previous two maintain a strong presence in the the Marquardt Memorial years. Nominations are due by traditional areas of importance to Industrial Speakers Program February 20. For more informa- our membership, there are many (bit.ly/2ElbSZc). This program tion, visit bit.ly/2QWSRTC. applications in industrial statis- provides funding for industrial tics, the physical sciences, and statisticians to visit universities 2019 Spring Research engineering that require the use of and discuss their work as indus- Conference large-scale data analysis methods. trial statisticians, as well as oppor- Robert Gramacy, SRC Organizing Committee The Spring Research Conference tunities in the area. The program Members of the 2019 SRC is an example of a SPES-sponsored is not widely known or used by organizing committee (Bobby institution that has evolved pro- universities around the country. Gramacy, Yili Hong, and Xinwei ductively in this area. A recent How can we improve the visibil- Deng) and program committee announcement for the 2019 SRC ity of the program? What chang- (Bobby Gramacy, David Edwards, at Virginia Tech in May included es might be made to it so it can Ana Kupresanin, C. Devon Lin, the following: “Although histori- achieve its underlying objective: Lu, Bill Myers, and Brian Reich) cally emphasizing industrial sta- to promote industrial statistics invite you to join them at the tistics, design, quality, and reli- and opportunities to the larger conference, which will take place ability, increasingly the meeting statistics community? at Virginia Tech May 22–24. emphasizes modern methods in An engaged membership is The SRC is SPES’s annual learning and high-performance crucial for SPES. In addition meeting. Although it has histori- computing in statistical method- to the SRC referenced above, cally emphasized industrial sta- ology, with diverse applications SPES has an active presence at tistics, design, quality, and reli- throughout the applied sciences.” the Joint Statistical Meetings in ability, the meeting is increasingly I hope SPES can continue on this Denver (the joint mixer being a emphasizing modern methods in trajectory and equip our members highlight) and the Fall Technical learning and high-performance with the skills they need to be Conference in late September computing in statistical method-

40 amstat news january 2019 section • chapter • committee news chapternews

Physical and Engineering Sciences North Carolina

Message from Incoming Chair ology, with diverse applications throughout the applied sciences. The invited program, including keynote presentations from David Banks of Duke/SAMSI and Christine Anderson-Cook of Los Alamos National Laboratory and a banquet talk by Oliver Schabenberger of SAS, is shaping up nicely. Details are available at bit.ly/2zY4sZ2. We have begun preparing our The North Carolina Chapter helped host a one-day workshop for high-school statistics teachers. contributed program, including The North Carolina Chapter partnered with the North Carolina School of Science and talks and posters. Contributed Mathematics, SAS JMP, and RTI International to offer a one-day workshop for high-school sta- talks are really no different than tistics teachers in September. Workshop instructors Breda Munoz (RTI), Floyd Bullard and Dan invited talks, except the process Teague (North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics), and Ruth Hummel (SAS JMP) is competitive, rather than curat- provided training in topics relevant to the AP Statistics curriculum. Fifteen people attended ed by the program committee. Individuals wishing to contribute the workshop, and future workshops are in the planning stages. to the program should send a title and abstract to Robert Gramacy University of Virginia Student Chapter at [email protected] with “SRC 2019 Contribution” in the subject line. Contributed talks and posters will be entertained simultaneously, although you may indicate if you would prefer to not give a talk. Thanks to our sponsors, we are able to offer a limited number of student travel scholarships. If you wish to be considered for one, please also provide a short statement of interest in the meeting (e.g., how it would benefit Members of the University of Virginia Student Chapter your study), a CV/résumé, and a note from your adviser (on let- For members of the University of Virginia Student Chapter, preparing for and attending the terhead) confirming your student Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) in Vancouver was a priceless experience. Not only did they get status and explaining the nature to explore some of the most exciting topics in statistics, they were given the opportunity to of your role in the research you join various groups within the statistical community and present their work. are proposing to present at the meeting. All funded students must Using their individual strengths, the students created material that accurately conveyed the contribute a talk or poster, so this error in prediction of weather in various forms. This allowed them to improve their commu- application for funding should be nication, teamwork, and analytical skills; however, attending JSM gave them the added op- combined with the email described portunity of exploring more ways to represent and model the data through the constructive in the paragraph above. feedback they received during their poster session. The deadline for contributing to the program and applying The students also enjoyed exploring Vancouver and all the city offers. “It was truly an amaz- for a student travel scholarship is ing experience,” says Katherine Qian. “I would recommend anyone interested in the field of January 31. n statistics to attend.”

january 2019 amstat news 41 calendar of events 2019 March The following events are the latest additions to 18–22—German Joint Statistical the ASA’s online calendar of events. Announce- February Meeting DAGStat2019, Munich, ments are accepted from education and not-for- Germany *14–16—2019 American profit organizations only. To view the complete list For more information, visit www. Statistical Association of statistics meetings and workshops, visit www. dagstat2019.de or contact Michael Conference on Statistical Lebacher, Ludwigstr. 33, Munich, amstat.org/dateline. Practice, New Orleans, Louisiana International 80539, Germany; +49 For details, visit bit.ly/ASACSP2019 or 89 2180 2226; michael.lebacher@ * Indicates events sponsored by the ASA or one of contact ASA Meetings, 732 North stat.uni-muenchen.de. its sections, chapters, or committees Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 684-1221; meetings@

›› Indicates events posted since the previous issue amstat.org. May 2–4—SIAM International Conference on Data Mining (SDM19), Calgary, Alberta, Canada For more information, visit bit.ly/SIAMsdm19 or contact Eva Donnelly, 3600 Market St., 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (215) 382- 9800; [email protected].

10–12—The 7th Workshop on Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Atlanta, Georgia For details, contact Yichuan Zhao, 1342, 25 Park Place, Atlanta, GA 30303; (404) 413-6446; yichuan@ gsu.edu.

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42 amstat news january 2019 calendar of events

»13–17—NSF-CBMS Regional August ConferenceDATA SCIENCE on Topological 17–19—The Fourth Workshop on MethodsTECHNOLOGIES in Machine Learning Higher-Order Asymptotics and and Artificial Intelligence, Post-Selection Inference (WHOA- Charleston, South Carolina PSI), St. Louis, Missouri For more information, visit math. For more information, visit bit.ly/ cofc.edu/CBMS-TDA2019 or contact WHOAPSI2019 or contact Todd Ben Cox, 66 George St., Charleston, Kuffner, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130; [email protected]. SC 29424-0001; (843)953-4973;PRACTICE AND [email protected]. APPLICATIONS »19–23—NSF-CBMS Regional Research Conference: Fitting Smooth Functions to Data, Austin, Texas 18–21—The 7th International For details, contact Arie Israel, 3925 Workshop in Sequential W. Braker Lane, Suite 3.340, Austin, Methodologies, Binghamton, TX 78759-5316; (512) 471-6424; New York [email protected]. BEYOND BIG DATA: BUILDING DATA TOOLS For details, visit bit.ly/IWSM2019 or BELLEVUE, WA • MAY 29 JUNE 1, 2019 contact Aleksey Polunchenko, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, NY 13902; (607) 777-6906; *29–6/1—2019 Symposium [email protected]. on Data Science & Statistics, Bellevue, Washington July For more information, visit bit.ly/ 8–12—International Workshop SDSS2019 or contact ASA Meetings, on Statistical Modelling 2019 732 N. Washington St., Alexandria, (IWSM2019), Guimarães, Portugal VA 22314; (703) 684-1221; For details, visit www.iwsm2019. [email protected]. org or contact Luís Machado, Department of Mathematics and Applications, University of Minho, June Guimarães, International 4800-058, »16–19—39th International Portugal; 351253510443; lmacha- Symposium on Forecasting, [email protected]. Thessaloniki, Greece For details, visit isf.forecasters.org »22–26—European Meeting or contact Pamela Stroud, 53 Tesla of Statisticians (EMS 2019), Ave., Medford, MA 02155; (781) 234- Palermo, Italy 4077; [email protected]. For more information, visit bit.ly/ EMSPalermo2019 or contact Angelo Mineo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 13, Palermo, International 90128, Italy; [email protected].

*27–8/1—2019 Joint Statistical Meetings, Denver, Colorado For details, visit bit.ly/JSM2019 or contact ASA Meetings, 732 North Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 684-1221; meetings@ amstat.org.

january 2019 amstat news 43 calendar of events

September 2020 June *23–25—2019 ASA »24–27—5th International Biopharmaceutical Section January Workshop on Functional and Regulatory-Industry Statistics *6–8—2020 International Operatorial Statistics (IWFOS Workshop, Washington, DC Conference on Health Policy 2020), Brno, Czech Republic For more information, visit bit.ly/ Statistics (ICHPS), San Diego, For details, visit iwfos2020.sci.muni. Biopharm2019 or contact ASA California cz or contact David Kraus, Kotlárská Meetings, 732 North Washington For more information, visit 2, Brno, International 611 37, Czech St., Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 684- bit.ly/ICHPS2020 or contact ASA Republic; [email protected]. n 1221; [email protected]. Meetings, 732 North Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 684- 1221; [email protected].

October 10–12—The 3rd International Conference on Statistical Distributions and Applications (ICOSDA 2019), Grand Rapids, Michigan For more information, visit bit.ly/2V36AYo or contact Felix Famoye, Department of Mathematics, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859; (989) 774-5497; [email protected].

44 amstat news january 2019 professional opportunities

Florida Professional Opportunity listings may not exceed 65 words, plus equal opportunity n UCF College of Medicine seeks two biostatisticians to form a biostatistics information. The deadline for their receipt is the 20th of the month two months prior core in support of multi-disciplinary to when the ad is to be published (e.g., May 20 for the July issue). Ads will be pub- research. Duties include providing lished in the next available issue following receipt. statistical support; developing formal Listings are shown alphabetically by state, followed by international listings. Vacancy analytical plans; performing statisti- listings may include the institutional name and address or be identified by number, cal analyses; and participating in as desired. preparation of manuscripts and grant applications. A master’s degree in bio- Professional Opportunities vacancies also will be published on the ASA’s website statistics or a related field is required, (www.amstat.org). Vacancy listings will appear on the website for the entire calendar prior experience and knowledge of month. Ads may not be placed for publication in the magazine only; all ads will be modern methodologies is preferred. published both electronically and in print. bit.ly/2Pu4g8R. EOE. These listings and additional information about the 65-word ads can be found at Iowa ww2.amstat.org/ads. n The Department of Statistics at Employers are expected to acknowledge all responses resulting from publication of Iowa State University invites appli- their ads. Personnel advertising is accepted with the understanding that the adver- cations for tenure-track assistant professorship w/preferred collabo- tiser does not discriminate among applicants on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, ration focus in the social sciences, color, national origin, handicap, or sexual orientation. beginning 8/16/2018. Duties include Also, look for job ads on the ASA website at https://jobs.amstat.org/jobseekers. undergraduate and graduate teaching, graduate advising, and a high-

impact research program that can n compete for external funding. A PhD disciplinary project teams supporting Applications are invited for a full- or equivalent degree in statistics or clinical research with great public health time visiting assistant professor in closely related discipline is required. impact across a range of disease areas. statistics with a three-year appoint- bit.ly/2LaZlJd. EOE/AA. Requirements: Solid background in ment to begin on July 1, 2019. statistical methods with a PhD in biosta- Responsibilities include teaching four n The Department of Statistics at tistics/statistics/epidemiology, strong oral undergraduate statistics courses a year Iowa State University invites appli- and written communication skills, and and helping with the comprehen- cations for tenure-track assistant leadership potential. Apply directly online sive evaluation of senior majors. See professor position with focus on data at www.emmes.com. EOE. the full ad and submit applications science, beginning 8/16/2018. Duties Massachusetts at MathJobs.Org. All applications include undergraduate and graduate received by February 22, 2019, will be teaching, graduate advising, and a n Biostatistics Faculty Position avail- guaranteed consideration. Questions high-impact research program that able at Instructor or Asst. Prof. level can be addressed to mathstats@ can compete for external funding. A in psychiatric biostatistics program. amherst.edu. EOE. Responsible for developing collabora- PhD or equivalent degree in statis- New Jersey tics or a closely related discipline is tions with McLean investigators and required. bit.ly/2G9y3nP. EOE/AA. participating in statistical consultation n Statistics/Biostatistics Faculty. Rutgers service. Doctoral degree in biostatistics School of Nursing invites applications n The Department of Statistics at or a statistics-related field required; for a full-time faculty position for can- Iowa State University is seeking can- publication record in methods or appli- didates for one tenure-track assistant didates with a doctoral degree focused cations; 3+ years of experience in col- in statistics, biostatistics, or related dis- professor position. The appointment laborative research. Send CV, research will be affiliated with the Center cipline. The position will be based pri- interests statement: Garrett Fitzmaurice, marily in Newark, New Jersey. Teaching for Statistics and Applications in Search Chair Email: gfitzmaurice@ Forensic Evidence. Duties of a suc- assignments will be focused on PhD- mclean.harvard.edu. www.mcleanhospital. level courses that are part of the required cessful candidate will include sta- org. EOE/AA. tistics research related to forensic curriculum of our PhD Program. We sciences, undergraduate and gradu- n The Department of Mathematical offer highly competitive salaries and ben- ate teaching, graduate advising, and Sciences at Bentley University, located efits. Apply: http://bit.ly/2C59cxb. EOE. professional and institutional service. in Waltham, Massachusetts, invites Pennsylvania applications for a tenure track position The complete position posting at bit. n The University of Pittsburgh seeks ly/2B6TNuK. EOE/AA. beginning Fall 2019. We seek candidates to add to our strengths in applied statis- applicants for two tenure track Maryland tics, data science, machine learning, and Assistant Professor positions in the Statistics Department beginning n The Emmes Corporation in Rockville, applied mathematics. The rank and salary MD, a full-service Contract Research will be commensurate with experience. September 2019, pending budget- Organization, has openings for PhD-level To learn more and to apply, please go to ary approval. See www.stat.pit.edu/ statisticians to serve on and lead multi- bit.ly/2PfQ202. EOE. for more information. Applicants

january 2019 amstat news 45 should apply online at http://bit. Virginia Ontario ly/2UBPaSo. Review of applications n The George Mason University n The Department of Statistics and begins 12/10/2018. EOE/AA/M/F/ Department of Statistics, is seeking a Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo Vets/Disable. chair who is a distinguished scholar, invites applications for 5 tenure-track or n The Wharton Statistics Department, educator, and researcher who can lead tenured position in Statistics, Biostatistics University of Pennsylvania, seeks full-time, the department into a dynamic phase or Data Science, subject to budget tenure-track or tenured faculty at any of development and growth. The dead- approval. A PhD in Statistics, Biostatistics level: Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor, line for applications is January 7, 2019; or related areas is required. Apply through appointment beginning July 2019. however, the review of applications will (www.mathjobs.org/jobs). Include cover let- Applicants must show outstanding capac- continue until the position is filled. To ter, CV, research/teaching statements, up to ity in research and teaching. Applicants learn more, please go to jobs.gmu.edu for three reprints/preprints and three reference must have a PhD (expected completion position F365AZ. EOE/AA. letters. Full advertisement bit.ly/2rFArsx. by June 30, 2020 is acceptable) from an International Closing: December 7, 2018. EOE. accredited institution. Please visit our n n The Department of Statistics and website to apply: https://whr.tn/2C5G9tt. Assistant Professors at Department of Statistics, School of Mathematical Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo Questions can be sent to statistics.recruit@ invites applications for 1 tenure-track or wharton.upenn.edu. EOE. Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Candidates should possess a PhD in sta- tenured position in Actuarial Science. A n Statistics Practice Track Faculty. The tistics (or mathematics) and demonstrate PhD in the area of the actuarial, statistical University of Pennsylvania School of outstanding performance in both research or mathematical sciences or mathematical Nursing seeks a master teacher to lead the and teaching. Annual salaries are competi- finance is required. Apply through (www. statistics sequence of courses for the PhD tive by international standard and among mathjobs.org/jobs). Include cover letter, program with responsibility for the data the highest in China. Candidates should CV, research/teaching statements, up to analytic components of the curriculum. send a letter of application, CV and at three reprints/preprints and three reference We invite individuals with a doctoral least three letters of references, electroni- letters. Full advertisement bit.ly/2rFArsx. degree in statistics, biostatistics, or related cally to [email protected]. Closing: December 7, 2018. EOE. n field to submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae: bit.ly/2RXu6UR EOE. n The Wharton Statistics Department, University of Pennsylvania, seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher in statistics and/ or probability. The position is for two years beginning in Summer 2019, with a possible extension to three. The primary McLean Hospital, a major teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a member of focus is for the scholar to develop her/his the Partners HealthCare System, is seeking an experienced Research Biostatistician for a research. A light teaching load is involved. faculty position at the Instructor or Assistant Professor level. A Ph.D. is required. Please visit our McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School website to apply: https://whr.tn/2EtDL2a. Biostatistics Faculty Position Please direct questions to stat.postdoc.hire@ McLean’s sizeable research program includes a wide variety of clinical and basic research wharton.upenn.edu. EOE. in psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience, including clinical trials; epidemiologic studies; Tennessee longitudinal studies; genetics; neuroimaging; animal behavioral and physiological experiments; and molecular neuroscience. The successful candidate will join a psychiatric biostatistics n The Department of Mathematical program and will be responsible for developing collaborations with McLean investigators and participating in a statistical consultation service. A doctoral degree in biostatistics or Sciences at the University of Memphis a statistics-related field and 3+ years of experience in collaborative research is required. is recruiting for a tenure-track Assistant The candidate must show a record of scholarly contributions in the form of published Professor in Statistics to begin August peer-reviewed articles in methods or in applications. The candidate must have extensive experience analyzing data for multiple studies simultaneously. Finally, the candidate must 2019. Qualifications includes, PhD in have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, interest in working as Statistics Biostatistics or related fields, part of multi-disciplinary teams, and experience collaborating with researchers in applied with research interests in Data Science medical, behavioral, or neuroscience disciplines. Qualified women and minority candidates are and Bayesian Inference. Details avail- encouraged to apply. able: bit.ly/2zVu0Gh. Application Please send, preferably by email, curriculum vitae and statement of research interests to: online at bit.ly/2zTCYn6. Review begins Garrett Fitzmaurice, ScD January 2019. Email: eogeorge@memphis. Chair, Biostatistician Search Committee McLean Hospital, Mail Stop 307 edu in the Fall Semester, lihdeng@ 115 Mill Street memphis.edu in the Spring semester. EOE. Belmont, MA 02478 Email: [email protected] McLean Hospital is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer.

46 amstat news january 2019

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january 2019 amstat news 47 SOCIAL CHATTER

We asked our followers ... Other than "Moneyball," can you name a movie, sitcom, or cartoon that includes a statistician as a character?

FOLLOW US Robert Weiss Star Wars - C3PO was always Steven Foti @DrSteveFoti throwing out statistics about survival. Charlie Eppes from community. amstat.org Alex Lear "R2, we have a 0.001 percent Numb3rs, while chance of making it into Episode V!" technically a PhD applied mathemati- www.facebook. com/AmstatNews Terry Walsh There's a classic Simpsons episode cian, utilizes a lot where Homer/Bart are watching a space launch of statistics in solv- @AmstatNews & the the 3 astronauts are described as, "There’s ing many of the a mathematician, a different kind of mathemati- problems. Cornell Math Dept. even www.instagram cian, and a statistician." .com/AmstatNews has a website Mila Roozen Chandler from Friends! Though he where episodes are might be considered a data scientist instead of a NEXT MONTH : discussed & sorted statistician. We’ll ask our by math/stat topic! bit.ly/2A3Frvo followers— Laura Taylor Baysden Apparently his title What's the one was IT procurement manager with the spe- Jess Hartnett character trait cialization "statistical analysis and data @Notawful you need to be reconfiguration." Kent on @VeepHBO a statistician? is a stats guy who Make sure to tag Christoph Hanck Being very generous in the works with poll- @AmstatNews in definition of a statistician: A Beautiful Mind ing data. And your response. on Brooklyn 99, Hamza Trari game theory Captain Holt is a very data driven kind of guy.

Yossi Levy @yoslevy How about a novel? Bellwether by Connie Willis.

48 amstat news january 2019 We asked our followers ... Ed Hutchins, Cree Productct Engineeeerining Manager

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