March 2018 • Issue #489 AMSTATNEWS The Membership Magazine of the American Statistical Association • http://magazine.amstat.org

in STATISTICS DATA SCIENCE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

ALSO: 2019 ASA Board of Directors Candidates Member Giving Reaches New High ASA-CRC SERIES on Statistical Reasoning in Science and Society

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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 ASA Launches Campaign to Rebuild Public Trust in Federal Statistics Director of Strategic Initiatives and Outreach Donna LaLonde: [email protected] 5 Statsketball Student Challenge Is Back Director of Education 6 2019 ASA Board of Directors Candidates Rebecca Nichols: [email protected] 16 ASA, AMS Issue Joint Statement on Drawing of Managing Editor Megan Murphy: [email protected] Voting Districts, Partisan Gerrymandering

Editor and Content Strategist 16 Poster and Project Competition Deadlines Val Nirala: [email protected] Near; Judges Sought

Production Coordinators/Graphic Designers 17 Puerto Rico Government Considers Sara Davidson: [email protected] Eliminating Statistical Agency Megan Ruyle: [email protected] 18 Hundreds Sign Statement to Halt Legal Advertising Manager Proceedings Against Georgiou, Colleagues Claudine Donovan: [email protected] 19 Member Giving Reaches New High Contributing Staff Members Naomi Friedman • Amanda Malloy • Rick Peterson 24 Celebrating Women in Statistics and Data Science

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@ amstat.org. Items must be received by the first day of the preceding month columns 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. Articles will be edited for space. Accompanying artwork will be accepted 30 MASTER’S NOTEBOOK in graphics file formats only (.jpg, etc.), minimum 300 dpi. No material in WordPerfect will be accepted. A Master’s in Statistics from a Scientist’s Perspective Amstat News (ISSN 0163-9617) is published monthly by the American This column is written for statisticians with master’s degrees and highlights Statistical Association, 732 North Washington Street, Alexandria VA 22314- 1943 USA. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, Virginia, and additional areas of employment that will benefit statisticians at the master’s level. mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Amstat News, 732 Comments and suggestions should be sent to Megan Murphy, Amstat News North Washington Street, Alexandria VA 22314-1943 USA. Send Canadian managing editor, at [email protected]. address changes to APC, PO Box 503, RPO West Beaver Creek, Rich Hill, ON L4B 4R6. Annual subscriptions are $50 per year for nonmembers. Amstat 32 PASTIMES OF STATISTICIANS News is the member publication of the ASA. For annual membership rates, What Does Claire Bowen Like to Do When She Is Not see www.amstat.org/join or contact ASA Member Services at (888) 231-3473. Being a Statistician? American Statistical Association 732 North Washington Street This column focuses on what statisticians do when they are not being stat- Alexandria, VA 22314–1943 USA isticians. If you would like to share your pastime with readers, please email (703) 684–1221 Megan Murphy, Amstat News managing editor, at [email protected]. ASA GENERAL: [email protected] ADDRESS CHANGES: [email protected] 33 STATS4GOOD AMSTAT EDITORIAL: [email protected] DataKind’s Vision Zero Traffic Models Save Lives ADVERTISING: [email protected] This column is written for those interested in learning about the world WEBSITE: http://magazine.amstat.org of Data for Good, where statistical analysis is dedicated to good causes Printed in USA © 2018 American Statistical Association that benefit our lives, our communities, and our world. If you would like to know more or have ideas for articles, contact David Corliss at davidj- [email protected]. 34 STATtr@k JSM Session: The Leadership Journey for Statisticians STATtr@k is a column in Amstat News and a website geared toward peo- ® ple who are in a statistics program, recently graduated from a statistics The American Statistical Association is the world’s largest program, or recently entered the job world. To read more articles like this community of statisticians. The ASA supports excellence in one, visit the website at http://stattrak.amstat.org. If you have suggestions the development, application, and dissemination of statistical for future articles, or would like to submit an article, please email Megan science through meetings, publications, membership services, Murphy, Amstat News managing editor, at [email protected]. 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. This year marks the 110th anniversary of the departments famous Biometrika paper, “The Probable Error of a Mean,” by William Gosset (www.york.ac.uk/depts/ 38 meetings maths/histstat/student.pdf) and the Tin Pan Alley classic by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer, “Take 12th ICHPS Takes Place in Charleston, Breaks Records Me Out to the Ball Game,” whose chorus became the unofficial anthem of North American baseball. HPSS Achievement Awards Go to ... The University of Texas at El Paso professor Morton, Rosenbaum, Basu Lawrence Lesser honors both in his latest song, which can be heard at www.causeweb.org/cause/ resources/fun/songs/take-me-out-brewry.

“ There are so many My advice to a woman incredibly intelligent young ... Like the careers of “ Take Me Out to the Brew’ry “ considering statistics as a women who will be among most women trailblazers, my discipline would be to know the future leaders of our career path was unplanned your worth. You are in this discipline. All they need is Lyrics © 2017 Lawrence M. Lesser and accidental at several key area because you enjoy it, guidance to show them the turns. The subplot to this because you appreciate it, SMART way (Statistics is May sing to the tune of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” story includes encounters and because the field needs Meaningful, Achievable, with sex discrimination in and appreciates you...” Realistic, and Timely)...” (Norworth and Von Tilzer) education, employment and civic life. ” Shili Lin Kimberly Sellers 2018 President Take me out to the brew’ry, Donna Brogan 2017-2018 Chairperson of the Caucus for Women in Statistics A Founding Member and for the American First President of the Statistical Association’s Caucus for Women in Committee on Women biggest one in the world: Statistics in Statistics Guinness used data to lead the pack— boost the taste and keep costs on track! n honor o omens istor onth we are Celebrating elerating aomplished S women. Read aout the asinating lies and ahieements ® But with few, few samples for testing, Women in Statistics o more than women at www.amstat.org/wis. mean’s error was so unexplained: and Data Science then came William Gosset’s result See INSIDE for a Women under Student’s name!​ in Statistics and Data Science Poster

April Is Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month Organize and host activities in April for Mathematics member news and Statistics Awareness Month! 41 Awards and Deadlines Past activities have included workshops, competitions, festivals, lectures, symposia, 44 Section • Chapter • Committee News department open houses, math art exhibits, and 45 Professional Opportunities math poetry readings. Please share your activities on social media—use #mathstatmonth and tag @AmstatNews. The goal is to increase public understanding of and appreciation for statistics and mathematics. Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/AmstatNews Visit www.mathstatmonth.org/mathstatmonth/ Join the ASA Community msamhome for details. http://community.amstat.org

Like us on Facebook Correction www.facebook.com/AmstatNews In the January issue, the summary of CHANCE’s special issue on climate change should have stated Follow us on Instagram 800 million people is 11% of the world’s population, www.instagram.com/AmstatNews not 1%. View the corrected piece online at http://magazine.amstat.org/blog/2018/01/01/ chance-climate-change.2 amstat news march 2018 president's corner

Building a Leadership Institute (from the Ground Up)

Steering committee members of the ASA Leadership Institute hold their first in-person meeting at NCSU’s Institute for Advanced Analytics. From left: Gary Sullivan, Bob Rodriguez, Donna LaLonde, Lisa LaVange, Erica Groshen, Michael Rappa, Debbie Hughes, Ron Wasserstein, (not pictured: Aarti Shah)

aving made the case in Conference on Statistical Practice As an immediate initiative, we last month’s Amstat News Steering Committee are the most developed a catalog for easy access for an ASA Leadership active in terms of event offerings to training opportunities (http:// HInstitute and introducing you to related to leadership and profes- bit.ly/ASALeadsWithStatistics). the distinguished members of the sional development. Common Following Gary’s report, we dis- steering committee, I thought I topics include collaboration, com- cussed ideas for providing oppor- would spend more time with two munication, mentoring, managing tunities at three times in a statisti- of those members in this month’s conflict, and influence. cian’s career: pre-career, early career, column. But first, a little about our The JSM leadership profes- and senior career. The two steering Lisa LaVange face-to-face meeting. sional development short course committee members reporting on The steering committee met has been offered since 2014 and ideas for the pre-career stage are on January 23 to brainstorm has evolved into a course on lead- experts in higher education lead- what the institute might under- ership awareness, featuring career ership training. Debbie Hughes take in this first year and how its stories from several prominent is vice president for higher edu- programs could be built to last. statistical leaders at each offering. cation and workforce develop- We were hosted by the Institute The JSM course is going on the ment at the Business and Higher for Advanced Analytics of North road this year—the travel ver- Education Forum, and Michael Carolina State University (NCSU) sion will be offered to the North and had a productive meeting. Carolina Chapter on March 16. Rappa is Goodnight director and Gary Sullivan, current chair Recognizing that leadership distinguished university professor of the Ad Hoc Committee on learning is a life-long enterprise, at NCSU’s Institute for Advanced Leadership, led with a summary the goal of the JSM workshop is to Analytics. Both are involved in of the professional development let attendees know what they need determining training needs for a activities offered through the ASA to learn to be strong leaders, recog- fast-moving marketplace in data based on a survey of 15 commit- nizing we cannot teach it all in a science and analytics. They bring tees, sections, and chapters. More one- or two-day event. unique perspectives to the leader- than 75 references to workshops, Steering committee members ship institute in terms of how best webinars/webcasts, courses, arti- were pleasantly surprised to learn to reach statisticians during their cles, and other documents were just how interested our members college and graduate education collected. The Committee on are in leadership and what a broad to prepare them for leadership Career Development, Committee range of webinars and other careers, should they choose that on Applied Statistics, and activities were already taking place. path at some point.

march 2018 amstat news 3 Debbie and Michael shared for undergraduate and graduate strategy; and a research and their vision for an ASA Future students, Michael had the follow- thought leadership role focused Leaders Program that would pro- ing to say: on capturing and disseminating mote and facilitate development of learning and broader impacts In all my experience placing leadership skills in the pre-career among employers, talent, and hundreds of MS in analytics stage of statistical education. Such higher education. In sum, I graduates in the profession, one a program would require identi- play the role of strategist, fact hits home again and again: fying opportunities for engaging translator, convener, researcher, The shortage of technical talent with higher educational institu- and disseminator. is actually a shortage of technical tions to share best practices and curriculum road maps. talent with leadership potential. I authored a publication with PwC, Statisticians working in aca- It’s the added leadership qualities demia know how difficult it is to that are highly prized and hardest Investing in America’s Data Science add courses to established degree to find. Employers want most and Analytics Talent (www.pwc. programs, so innovative thinking to recruit and retain data-savvy com/us/en/library/data-science- will be needed to launch such a individuals, who are fluent in and-analytics-skills.html), that program, but the pay-off could be data science and capable of clearly showed a gap between substantial. As Michael points out, engaging in their business employers and higher education “The ASA Leadership Institute and providing the leadership institutions, with 69% of employers should map out the leadership needed to move it forward. preferring candidates with data journey—what goes on at the later science and analytics skills and stage of a career should relate to the That’s why the new leadership only 23% of higher education early stage.” institute initiative is both timely institutions producing graduates Expanding on the Big Tent and important. As the effective with those skills. As the PwC report vision for the ASA that was a past utilization of data becomes the concludes, industry is not looking presidential initiative and key driving force behind the business for data scientists, but rather ‘data- component of the ASA’s strategic models of so many organizations, driven decision-makers.’ The ASA plan (www.amstat.org/asa/files/pdfs/ the ASA can play a major role in and the leadership institute could ABT-StrategicPlan.pdf), the com- cultivating leadership potential in have a tremendous role in shaping mittee noted the future leaders its members. Beginning with the students to become those program could be open to any- growing number of students now thought leaders. one working with data, not just positioning themselves to become statistics majors. data scientists, to early career We are thrilled to have two Michael described his experi- professionals stepping into their leaders with such insight into the ence building the Institute for first opportunities to lead, to those current educational and work envi- Advanced Analytics (IAA) at who are rapidly rising through the ronments as members of our steer- NCSU over the past 10 years. ranks of their organization, the ing committee. With roughly 650 graduates now ASA has an opportunity—some Statisticians are not supposed employed in an array of companies might say a responsibility—to to be superstitious, but there are ranging from the financial industry actively prepare its members times when a sign seems to speak to health care, NFL teams, and art for leadership. By drawing on directly to me, and one of those institutes, the IAA is considered the talent and resources of the moments occurred during a recent successful by almost any measure. ASA community, it can help UNC basketball game. Those of Students earn a Master of shape a future where leaders in you who know me know I am a Science (MS) degree follow- every corner of society have the big sports fan, and Carolina bas- ketball is right up there at the top. ing successful completion of a requisite knowledge and skill to During a time-out, I glanced at the 10-month program. Course mod- make data-driven decisions.” ules cover mathematical, com- jumbotron to see images of three putational, statistical, and busi- Debbie has this to say about her of our star basketball players who ness topics, and the students’ day position at BHEF and her vision were leading the game in points resembles a 9-to-5 job more than for the leadership institute: scored, assists, and rebounds. And your typical graduate school expe- written across the top of the screen As vice president of higher rience. Students form teams to was the title: Statistical Leaders. education and workforce, I have work on a practicum that lasts the From the Big Tent to basket- a strategic visioning role focused entire program and ensures a real- ball, the need for strong leadership on prioritizing the organization’s life work experience as part of their is everywhere—Lead On! resources; an implementation graduate school training. role focused on overseeing the Reflecting on what an ASA execution of our programmatic Leadership Institute might mean 4 amstat news march 2018 ASA Launches Campaign to Rebuild Public Trust in Federal Statistics

he ASA, in partnership This campaign is designed with organizations in the to educate and inform the pub- statistical community, lic about the critically important launchedT Count on Stats—a cam- nature of federal data, but also to paign to advance the federal statis- counter attacks against the system. tical system and awareness of its Count on Stats will consistently significant work. Count on Stats is reaffirm the value of the work a public outreach initiative that undertaken by US federal statisti- will enhance understanding of and cal agencies. appreciation for the importance, “Federal data are used to reliability, and trustworthiness of inform decision-makers from Wall government statistics. Street to Main Street to the halls of for Public Opinion Research, “I am pleased to partner with Congress and beyond,” said Ron American Educational Research the ASA in increasing the aware- Wasserstein, executive director of Association, Association of Public ness of and support for high-qual- the ASA. “The agencies compris- Data Users, American Sociological ity federal statistics,” said Count ing the United States federal statis- Association, Bipartisan Policy on Stats partner John Thompson. tical system conduct essential work Center, COPAFS, and National Thompson, executive director that is critically important to the Association for Business of the Council of Professional functions of our economy, society, Economics. Associations on Federal Statistics and democracy.” Stay up to date on the campaign (COPAFS) and former head Partners of the initiative by searching @CountOnStats on of the US Census Bureau, con- include the American Association Twitter. n tinued, “The federal statistical agencies face a number of chal- lenges, and our support is critical to their success.” 11th Annual Clinical Trials Conference - Philadelphia, PA

STATSKETBALL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Student Challenge Is Back Wednesday, April 18, 2018 (8:00 A.M. to 5:00 PM) 11th Annual University of Pennsylvania The ASA’s education initiative, Conference on Statistical Issues in Clinical Trials: ThisIsStatistics, has launched Estimands, Sensitivity Analysis and Missing Data in Clinical Trials its Statsketball Tournament for REGISTER AT: 2018, a contest that encourages http://www.cceb.med.upenn.edu/events/annual-conference-statistical-issues-clinical-trials high-school and undergraduate SPEAKERS AND TOPICS students to use statistics to predict DEVAN V. MEHROTRA Recent ICH Guidance on Estimands and Sensitivity Analyses: results for the NCAA Basketball Merck Why and What? Tournament. THOMAS PERMUTT A Regulatory Perspective On Defining Treatment Effects Statsketball consists of two con- USA FDA, CDER tests. The first is the “Pick ‘Em”: JOSEPH G. IBRAHIM Quantifying the Average of the Time-varying Upset Challenge, where students University of North Carolina Hazard Ratio via a Class of Transformations submit a list of 32 winners for the SCOTT S. EMERSON Analyzing Sensitivity to Data Missing Not At Random (MNAR): A first-round games. The second University of Washington Framework for Design, Analysis, and Reporting contest is the “Build Your Own DANIEL SCHARFSTEIN A Causal Inference Perspective on the Proposed Johns Hopkins University ICH-E9 Addendum. Bracket”: Draft Challenge, where

teams have 224 draft points to PANELISTS assemble a cohort of teams from ANNE LINDBLAD EMMES Corporation the seeded participants. Entries for RODERICK J LITTLE University of Michigan School of Public Health; both contests are due by March 14 GEERT MOLENBERGHS Universiteit Hasselt and Katholieke Universiteit; at 12:00 p.m. ET. FRANK ROCKHOLD Duke University, DCR; JAY SIEGEL Janssen, Johnson & Johnson; Watch for details at www. ERIC T. TCHETGEN University of Pennsylvania; thisisstatistics.org. ANDREA B. TROXEL New York University Langone Health

march 2018 amstat news 5 2019ASA BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES The ASA announces the selection of candidates for the 2018 election. The win- ning candidates’ terms will begin in 2019. Make sure to look for your ballots in your email inbox and vote early. Voting begins at 12:01 ET March 15 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on May 1.

RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT Jeri Mulrow Principal Deputy Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Department of Justice

ata are everywhere, and the amount of data Communication and leadership skills. Leadership continues to grow daily. This presents goes hand-in-hand with communication. Good lead- both opportunities and challenges for us. ers are good communicators. It is crucial for us to DHow do we ensure the appropriate use and under- continue to improve our communication with others Mulrow standing of data? outside our profession. We also need the skills to be I joined the ASA as a graduate student and am able to be a leader at all different levels of our organiza- passionate about our profession. It is a fun, chal- tions. These skills will help us ensure the appropriate lenging, and rewarding profession, and it provides uses and understanding of statistics and data by others. us great opportunities to contribute to a better soci- Statistical education. To take full advantage of the ety and a better world. I am very honored and very opportunities presented by the changing data envi- excited to be a candidate for president of the ASA at ronment and to address complex problems facing this exciting time. society, we must have a focus on statistical education. I am in the federal government, and I see first- Academic institutions of higher education are already hand the need for policies to be based on appropri- responding to these changes for their undergraduate ate statistics using relevant, timely, high-quality data. and graduate students by developing new courses and These policies impact our world, our society, and forming collaborations with other departments. For our daily lives. We must play a role in the discussions those of us who have already graduated, we also must about the statistics, the data and evidence, the uses of continue to hone and improve our data science skills. the data and evidence, and the understanding of the Statistical literacy. Statistically literate citizens are data and evidence used to set policies. These discus- better able to judge decisions and policies if they have sions can be with your students, your colleagues, your a good understanding of the underlying statistics, data, friends, or your family. and evidence used in making those decisions and poli- My experiences and observations led me to think cies. The statistical community can contribute greatly about three areas of continuing need, which I would in this area, leading to informed policies for our world want to focus on as ASA president and [which] fit well and our society. within the realm of the ASA and our strategic plan. The first is a need for excellent communication and Our contributions in many areas have been and leadership skills among our members. The second is continue to be important! I am excited for our pro- a need for statistical education to meet the changing fession and about our opportunities. If elected, I will data environment and to address complex problems work toward meeting these needs and to hearing more facing society. The third is a need for statistical literacy from all of you about what more we can and should of all our citizens. be doing. n

6 amstat news march 2018 RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT Wendy Martinez Director, Mathematical Statistics Research Center, Office of Survey Methods Research, Bureau of Labor Statistics

n preparing my statement, I realized the theme students at the JSM. I will engage ASA leaders to for my candidacy can be expressed as “building establish and maintain a student and early-career travel bridges to enlarge the ASA big tent for statistics fund. This will provide financial assistance for students andI data science.” The ASA has made great strides to participate in JSM and other ASA activities. to increase partnerships with international statisti- Building confidence in official statistics: The cal societies and professional groups like the AAAS. data gathered by all levels of government are a With your support, we can do more to enhance the public resource. The year 2020 will be especially diversity of the ASA, increase the visibility of statis- important for US official statistics because of the tics, and ensure the future of our profession. census. Our statistical voice needs to be heard at the Support for educators: I taught statistics at the table. Building on the campaign ASA has started undergraduate level, and I understand the need to (Count on Stats), a major focus of my term will be ensure students entering college are better prepared. to strengthen this position. It is imperative we continue to promote statistics Of particular note, we should expand the appli- Martinez at K–12 levels. The ASA hired a K–12 statistical cation of statistical methods in all areas of defense and national security, including military personnel Studio B Photography ambassador in 2016, and I will work with her to Barbi Barnum establish an advisory group for K–12 faculty, so health, equipment testing, and data analysis. teachers can tell us how to help, and we can make Promoting innovation: The creation of partner- it happen. ships between the ASA, academia, industry, and The ASA has links to resources for K–12, includ- government to generate innovative research ques- ing the Census at School project. Some US agen- tions and solutions to benefit society and human cies (Bureau of Labor Statistics) have websites with welfare is critical. Data challenges are serving to materials focused on K–12 education. I will work benefit many other fields. Building on activities of with the ASA Board to reach out to other agencies some ASA sections that have sponsored data chal- and encourage them to provide relevant resources. lenges, I will engage with other sections to establish Support for students: More students of color, an annual ASA Data Challenge Expo. women, LGBT students, etc. are going to college, Surveying our members’ needs: While the ASA and many are becoming interested in statistics! As Board and staff provide leadership and support, it educators and role models, we should be aware that is the members who make things happen. I want how we teach them and the support we give might the goals of all our members, including our interna- need to change, especially for first-generation stu- tional colleagues, to be shared. So, I will be reaching dents who may have fewer resources and support. out to you as president-elect to determine what is I will establish a high-visibility initiative to address important to our community. this issue. Someone asked me, “Why do you support the The student experience at JSM builds the future ASA?” I said we need to do things we are passionate foundation for the ASA. The activities we provide about when ‘our hearts sing.’ This is why I am so for them shape their impressions and interests in excited about the opportunity to support the ASA statistics as a profession. I will work with ASA staff as president—because it makes my heart sing to and sections to provide more opportunities and help shape our future! To learn more about me and better experiences for undergraduate and graduate my hopes for our future, go to www.pi-sigma.info. n

march 2018 amstat news 7 RUNNING FOR VICE PRESIDENT

Richard De Veaux Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Williams College

So, what keeps me up at night? Like many of us, I Could Dickens have been talking about being a worry our profession is growing out of touch with De Veaux statistician in 2018 when he wrote: the demands of a data-driven world. As an educator, I share the worry that our statistics courses are becom- “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, ing irrelevant, as well. For decades, we’ve seen many it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, other disciplines teaching their own versions of statis- it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incre- tics. As that continues and data science becomes dulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of the source for their courses, will students still be Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter taught to ask about the pedigree of the data, or will of despair”? it be enough just to know which algorithm won the De Veaux latest Kaggle contest? k, probably not. But it is the best of times Will we be overwhelmed by the data science for us—we have more job opportunities as tide, or can we guide data science with statistical statisticians now than at any point in my insight? And what would be the role of the ASA lifetime.O And we’ve all heard the forecasts that we’ll in doing so? Given the immense talent and diver- need hundreds of thousands more data-savvy ana- sity of its members, I’m convinced the ASA can, lysts in the next decades. But it may also seem the and should, be a central force in forging the role of worst of times. Why? Because, these days, everyone statistics in data science. I would be honored to be thinks they’re a statistician. John Tukey was once given the chance to help. quoted as saying that he loved statistics because we A statistics software executive was recently quoted got to play in “everyone’s backyard.” Now it seems as saying, “Nothing that I’ve learned in the last 30 everyone wants to play in ours. Data scientists, years of working in this industry is relevant today.” computer scientists, machine learners—everyone is That may be a bit dramatic, but I know how he doing data analysis—and some (although clearly feels! As I think about what to teach students in an not all) are doing it very, very well. introductory statistics course in 2018, much of what As the ASA representative to the IEEE Data I learned and much of what I’ve taught seems irrel- Science conference the past two years, I’ve heard evant. It’s a fantastic time to be a statistician, but it’s many excellent talks on statistics, data analysis, not without its challenges. and how the methods solved important prob- I am deeply honored to be a candidate for vice lems in science and industry. Unfortunately, I was president of the ASA. I’ve been involved in the ASA one of only two statisticians at the conference. for many years in many different roles—program Some of the analyses checked the source of the chair for JSM in Atlanta in 2001, program chair for data, worried about its integrity, and were care- SPES, COSGB representative to the board, founding ful with their inferences—all things that lie at the member and later chair of the Section on Statistical core of our profession. But others focused only on Learning and Data Science. With your support and the power and speed of the algorithm, with little input, we can work together to find answers to some regard to the quality of the data, or even of the of the questions I’ve posed and help position the ASA questions being asked. as an even stronger force and advocate for statistics and statisticians. n

8 amstat news march 2018 Thomas Short Department of Mathematics, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

he themes of our Strategic Plan—enhancing statements endorsed by our board. If elected, I will the diversity and breadth of our association, continue to facilitate communication and aware- increasing the visibility of our profession, ness, helping entities to replicate, expand, and refine Tand ensuring the future of our profession—directly approaches that have worked for others. connect with my ASA experience and inspire me to Collaboration lead and support initiatives. Reflecting upon my service to the ASA—in chapters, sections, commit- With resources and experience on our side, the ASA tees, journals, and as a board member—leads me to has already assumed a leadership role through our four pathways through which I will exemplify these “Big Tent” vision. We can work to ensure the future themes: Celebration; Culture; Collaboration; and of our profession by collaborating with existing and Short Challenges. emerging organizations. I recently facilitated an event co-organized by the Cleveland Chapter of the Celebration ASA and the Cleveland R Meetup Group. Now that It’s the best time ever to be a statistician, and we I’ve moved to Philadelphia, I’ve reconnected with a have so much to celebrate! The ASA leads efforts local teachers group to promote an ASA presence to fund the new International Prize in Statistics, in schools. We must continue to strive to collabo- to support DataFest for undergraduate students, rate with teachers, advisers, parents, and students to and to continue K–12 student competitions. The highlight pathways that lead to careers in statistics Conference on Statistical Practice, the Women and related disciplines; the ThisIsStatistics website is in Statistics and Data Science Conference, and one impactful resource the ASA has developed for credentials such as our PStat® and GStat accredi- this purpose. I will continue to work to collaborate tations benefit members and increase visibility. locally, and, if elected, I will work to develop shared I recently proposed an Awards and Recognition initiatives that benefit our profession beyond the Committee for the Philadelphia Chapter to cel- local level. ebrate the accomplishments of members in our Challenges region, and, if elected, I will continue to high- light the accomplishments of our members and As statisticians, we notice that data science, analyt- the activities of our organization. ics, and big data analysis are blossoming, and we wonder how our identities will evolve. We consider Culture rebranding and repositioning to share our experi- I’m impressed by the variability in cultures between ence in culture and communication and our tradi- chapters, sections, and committees. People are one tion of celebrating achievements and diversity. We source of variability, but so are the habits and tra- extend our invitation to collaborate with students ditions within each entity. Communication and at all levels and both new and experienced practi- awareness are the cornerstones of sharing culture tioners. We face challenges of identifying fund- among entities, and such sharing sparks activity ing mechanisms and sources in order to maintain and creates opportunities for growth. For example, support for current initiatives and projects and to our advocacy has impacted the culture of statistics expand in creative and timely directions. If elected, within governments around the world. We express I will apply my accumulated experience in a diver- our culture to others through thoughtful and timely sity of roles in service of the ASA to strategize solu- tions to our challenges. n

march 2018 amstat news 9 COUNCIL OF SECTIONS GOVERNING BOARD REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Steve Gulyas Health Care Value Data Analytics, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

he field of statistics is in a golden age. Data our profession. Within these areas, I believe public abounds, statistics software is answering awareness and education are especially critical today. centuries-old questions that could only pre- The ASA needs to educate the general population Tviously be framed in mathematical equations, and about statistics, sensitizing them to when mislead- more students than ever are entering the discipline. ing inferences are being made. When the public The ASA, with its more than 175 years of experi- is confused about statistics, the ASA should be an ence, is recognized as the flagship organization for independent and unbiased voice to provide tech- our profession. JSM has been breaking attendance nical guidance and clarify interpretation. Further, I believe the ASA should play a leading role in Gulyas records over the past few years, and the program continues to grow. And yet, threats to the ASA defending science and exposing where only naked exist. Membership is not fully reflecting the youth beliefs exist. movement into our field, revenue streams for jour- I am proud that the ASA BOD has stepped into nals are changing, and the ASA is wrestling with an public debate about many important issues recently. identity crisis with respect to data science. These Given the number of ASA members in the govern- opportunities and challenges excite me when I con- ment sector and the breadth of public policy depen- sider the prospect of serving on the ASA’s Board of dent on the work of federal statisticians, I view the Directors (BOD). Count on Stats campaign as essential in defending The duties of a Council of Sections (COS) valuable work for our country. White papers such BOD representative include speaking for the COS as the ASA’s statement on p-values are important to on the BOD—including budget issues impacting distinguish the ASA as the authority on academic COS, being a liaison between the BOD and COS statistical issues. The ASA’s opinions on gerryman- Governing Board (COSGB) and COS, serving on dering, climate change, and the census are impor- the ASA Committee on Meetings (COM), and tant to be heard. serving as part of the Strategic Planning Committee. I believe the outreach of the ASA into the inter- Having served six years on the COS, including national community has been wise, and I support three years recently as a member of COSGB, I have further expansion. Many domestic organizations developed a broad understanding of the issues sec- have statisticians working in foreign countries, and tions face. Some of these include growing section having an ASA presence abroad helps strengthen membership, managing the growth of new sections, the ASA’s position as a world leader and professional identifying an expanded role for interest groups, resource to our members. The ASA’s leadership also and cross-pollinating sections’ ideas such as distance permits many to seek statistics careers here. learning. My prior treasurer experience from the I believe many individuals choose statistics as largest section treasury in the ASA would be helpful a career because they like to play in others’ sand- to inform BOD financial issues. I also have recent boxes. The ASA’s sections naturally provide this experience with COM through a recent JSM ses- cross-functional opportunity, and the ASA should sion reallocation exercise. leverage them for further growth. I am humbled to The ASA’s Strategic Plan currently focuses on have been asked to run as one of its representatives three major areas: enhancing the diversity and to the ASA BOD. With your support, I would wel- breadth of our association; increasing the visibil- come the opportunity to serve our profession at its ity of our profession; and ensuring the future of highest level. n

10 amstat news march 2018 Mark Glickman Senior Lecturer and Director of Sports Analytics Lab, Department of Statistics, Harvard University; Senior Statistician, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, a Veterans Administration Center of Innovation

t is my pleasure to be considered for a position much broader than the exposure a typical statisti- on the ASA Board of Directors as one of the cian receives. Given the evolving nature of data sci- Council of Sections’ Governing Board represen- ence, the ASA needs to remain nimble in continu- tatives.I I have consulted over my career with indus- ing to create opportunities for its members and to try collaborators on a wide variety of applied statis- educate and communicate to consumers of data sci- tical problems. My background in academia, ence the role of statistics in the data science process. government, and industry has provided me with a We are living in unusual times, and we face new Glickman diverse set of experiences that make me well-suited challenges the ASA needs to address. In my view, for the board of directors position. The greatest statisticians need to become the discussion leaders in ongoing challenge to the ASA is to create initiatives support of evidenced-based science and policy in our and opportunities that respond to an ever-changing society. This past year, we have witnessed the ascen- landscape of our memberships’ professional inter- dancy of “alternative facts” and a new leadership in ests, set the standards for the delivery of quality sta- Washington that seems ignorant [of]—if not down- tistical education, and increase the visibility of sta- right hostile toward—principled statistical argument. tistics in society. The ASA has demonstrated superb One recent positive step taken by the ASA is the leadership in these areas, and I see my role on the proposed development of a communication initia- board of directors as continuing and enhancing this tive to support awareness of the federal statistical tradition of excellence. system. The initiative, “Count on Stats,” will be ThisIsStatistics, launched in 2014, is an out- designed to educate society and stakeholders about standing example of the ASA’s ongoing initiative to the work performed by statistical agencies and the communicate on a national level the importance of importance of their work. statistics in society and the diversity of applications The ASA should continue to be an influence on that statisticians confront. important national issues. For example, the ASA The response to the quick emergence of data intends to issue a joint statement with the AMS science as a closely related discipline has been [American Mathematical Society] to address par- equally strong. Since 2015, the ASA has formally tisan gerrymandering, advocating for fair district- acknowledged the importance of having a role in ing in advance of the 2020 national elections. The data science in several ways. These include spon- ASA’s ability to put out statements about critical soring conferences with substantial data science societal issues on the national stage and to educate presence and considering the ASA’s creation of stakeholders about the consequences of proper sta- data science accreditation. tistical thinking is a potent combination. As a faculty member who regularly co-teaches a Thank you for your consideration. It would be data science course in tandem with computer sci- my privilege to serve on the ASA Board of Directors ence colleagues and who has been part of the data and to help improve opportunities for our ASA science initiative at Harvard, I can help provide membership, as well as improve communication leadership in navigating the data science revolution. about evidenced-based science and policy in these In its current form, the practice of data science is critical times. n

march 2018 amstat news 11 COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS GOVERNING BOARD REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, REGION 2 Ananda Jayawardhana Pittsburg State University enhance the visibility of our profession. I trust the would be honored to serve as a member of the competence of our diverse membership, and I am board of directors representing the Council of confident we can find answers for the challenges ahead Chapters (COC). I have served in all the chap- of us. terI officer positions in our chapter, as the secretary/ I would like to propose chapter-driven regional Jayawardhana treasurer of the COC for six years, and recently as meetings to replicate the activities of the Conference the chair of the COC. I believe 15 years of chapter- on Statistical Practice. There are lot of statistical prac- related service has prepared me well to understand titioners and data scientists in our chapters’ catchment the diverse needs of the chapters. area who never participate in our chapter activities. Challenges are changing for the ASA, as well as the We can give leadership to organize local opportuni- chapters. Declining interest in chapters among the ties to advance their careers. This kind of outreach ASA members is one such issue unique to chapters. could increase the chapter membership, if not the I will work with the COC Governing Board to find ASA membership. ways to persuade the value of the chapters to member- As an isolated statistician in a mathematics depart- ship. Converting student members to full-time ASA ment, I had to find my own way to success as an members and chapter members is another issue that academic. I would like to find out the feasibility of needs attention. starting a program to help starting statistics faculty Diversity is a very close subject to my heart. I have members. Though this is not a chapter-related goal served on a committee to organize an annual con- directly, being a member of the board of directors will ference on diversity among the state universities in provide me with the opportunity officially or unof- Kansas since 2007 and have co-chaired the conference ficially to discuss the idea with the highest body of twice. I would work on improving the diversity in our the organization. profession. I believe this should start from K–12 and Over the years, I have seen the natural life of chap- undergraduate classes. As an educator, I am working to ters. COC has rejuvenated some chapters from the recruit students to our profession by visiting schools, brink of dissolution and helped some chapters to start conducting an annual poster competition, and recruit- new chapters or merge. As the COC representative ing students from my undergraduate classes. I would to the board of directors, I will attend to the needs promote such activities, including career fairs among of the chapters, support chapters that participate in our chapters, and welcome new ideas from chapters. the International Science and Engineering Fair, and I would be a great supporter of the ASA’s education advocate to continue the traveling course. outreach activities. The ASA has been a very important part of my I have met with local politicians and attended professional and private life and I am honored and the meetings with our representatives at Capitol happy to serve as a member of the board of directors if Hill to promote our profession. I will whole- you provide me the opportunity. n heartedly participate to preserve the integrity and

12 amstat news march 2018 Anamaria Kazanis ASKSTATS Consulting, LLC t is my privilege to be a candidate to represent The ASA is perfectly positioned to increase visibility the Council of Chapters Governing Board of the profession and establish itself as the big tent (COCGB) on the ASA Board of Directors. I for statistics through education initiatives reaching joinedI the ASA as a graduate student in the belief into classrooms as children begin learning the scien- that there was more to statistics than just a degree. I tific method, as well as advising and impacting pro- was not disappointed. The community spirit at the fessionals who are designing future infrastructures. Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) inspired me to put These initiatives include local chapter outreach to my name as candidate to the Executive Committee science fairs; career days; and professional-level train- of the Statistical Consulting Section. I was elected ing available to statisticians, non-statisticians, and and served for three years. When I decided to everyone in between. As the District 3 vice chair, I devote more time to energizing the Ann Arbor have established lines of communication with each Chapter, I was elected chapter representative, vice chapter in my district. My role has been to facilitate Kazanis president, and president. I was appointed communi- problem solving through in-depth understanding of cations officer and then elected District 3 vice chair chapter operations. In the role of the COCGB rep- of the COCGB. It is an inspiration to witness the resentative to the board, I will be able to bring this level of commitment from all elected and appointed understanding and experience, relaying COCGB officers to the mission of the ASA. initiatives and facilitating high-level problem solving Statistics, data science. … Yes, there is more than to achieve national results through regional actions. just a degree! Statisticians already know statistics and The ASA emphasizes a local, regional, and national data science are required for success in every indus- commitment to education initiatives in pursuit of its try. Meanwhile, the emergence of data science is two missions that I believe in with all my heart and motivating public use of statistical terminology and will support in my new role. n recognition of the role of statistics in today’s world.

ASA ELECTION CANDIDATES LIST

Council of Chapters Ofer Harel Council of Sections Page Moore Vaneeta Kaur Grover University of Connecticut Representative University of Arkansas for GlaxoSmithKline Governing Board Garritt Page Medical Sciences Vice Chair Chair-Elect Brigham Young University Business and Tony An Mary Kwasny Biopharmaceutical SAS Institute Inc. Ying Yuan Economic Statistics Northwestern University University of Texas MD Section Alyson Wilson Section David Han Anderson Cancer Center North Carolina State Chair-Elect The University of Texas at Chair-Elect University Bruce Binkowitz San Antonio Biometrics Section Shionogi Inc. Baoline Chen Bureau of Economic District 3 Vice Chair Section on Bayesian Chair-Elect Ed Luo Analysis Mac Turner Statistical Sciences Sherri Rose PTC Therapeutics Research HealthCore Harvard Medical School Adriana D. Kugler Chair-Elect Program Chair-Elect Georgetown University Ruth Cassidy Kate Calder Sharon Xie Stephine Keeton University of Michigan The Ohio State University University of Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Product Program Chair-Elect Health System School of Medicine Development, Inc. Mariana Saenz-Ayala Marina Vannucci Georgia Southern Secretary/Treasurer District 4 Vice Chair Rice University Anthony Lonardo University Tracy Morris Michael Wu Eli Lilly and Company University of Central Program Chair-Elect Fred Hutchinson Cancer (unopposed) Oklahoma Surya Tokdar Research Center Publications Officer Duke University Forrest Williamson Secretary/Treasurer Jo A. Wick Elizabeth Ogburn Eli Lilly and Company Maggie R. Jones University of Kansas Sanvesh Srivastava The Johns Hopkins US Census Bureau Medical Center The University of Iowa University Yongming Qu Eli Lilly and Company James Livsey Council of Sections Secretary/Treasurer Council of Sections US Census Bureau Yanxun Xu Representative Council of Sections Governing Board The Johns Hopkins Jennifer Sinnott Representative Chair-Elect University The Ohio State University Veronica Powell David Edwards Antonio Linero QST Consultations Ltd. Virginia Commonwealth Florida State University University march 2018 amstat news 13 Section on Secretary/Treasurer Section on Health Policy Section on Risk Matt Beckman Statistical The Pennsylvania State Government Statistics Section Analysis Computing University Statistics Chair-Elect Chair-Elect Chair-Elect Jennifer Broatch Chair-Elect Laura Hatfield John Nolan Jonathan Wesley Lane Arizona State University Katherine Jenny Harvard Medical School American University Activision Thompson Frank Yoon Elena Rantou Members at Large US Census Bureau John Castelloe Dave Fluharty IBM Watson Health US Food and Drug SAS Institute Administration Ivy Tech Comm. College and Michael Sinclair Section on Statistics Allison Transmission Mathematica Policy Program Chair-Elect in Marketing Program Chair-Elect Matthias Schonlau Beverly Wood Research Qian Li University of Waterloo Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Program Chair-Elect Chair-Elect US Food and Drug Lan Luo Administration Kary Myers University Al Gottschalck University of Southern Los Alamos National US Census Bureau Stephen Chan Jessica Chapman California-Marshall School Laboratory American University of St. Lawrence College Michael Yang of Business Sharjah Council of Section NORC at the University of Karsten Maurer (unopposed) Representative University of Miami - Ohio Chicago Social Statistics Lucy D’Agostino Publications Officer Program Chair-Elect Section McGowan Section on Jonathan Auerbach Daniel McCarthy Vanderbilt University Statistics and the Columbia University Emory University Chair-Elect Eileen O’Brien Abbass Sharif Environment (unopposed) Jenny Guarino US Energy Information University of Southern Chair-Elect US Department of Secretary/Publications Administration California Amanda S. Hering Transportation Officer Craig Hill Baylor University Seshadri Tirunillai Section on Secretary/Treasurer RTI International Bauer College of Business, Statistical Erin Schliep Tara Murphy University of Missouri USDA National Agricultural University of Houston Program Chair-Elect Consulting Statistics Service Chris Dick Program Chair-Elect (unopposed) Civis Analytics Chair-Elect Ephraim M. Hanks Peter Siegel Manisha Desai Section on Physical Antje Kirchner The Pennsylvania State RTI International Stanford University and Engineering RTI International and University Council of Sections Ed Boone University of Nebraska - Michael Messner Representative Sciences Virginia Commonwealth Lincoln US Environmental Jennifer Parker Chair-Elect University Protection Agency National Center for Health Robert B. Gramacy Publications Officer Joanna Turner Publications Officer Statistics Virginia Tech Treasurer Joseph Rigdon University of Minnesota Kristin Broms Michael Davern Claire McKay Bowen Stanford University School Liana Fox Neptune & Company, Inc. NORC University of University of Notre Dame​ of Medicine Chicago US Census Bureau Henry Scharf Program Chair-Elect Hannah Palac Colorado State University Emily L. Kang Council of Sections AbbVie Section on Representative Statistical Graphics University of Cincinnati Council of Sections Section on Statistics John Finamore Mary Frances Dorn Representative in Epidemiology Chair-Elect National Science Los Alamos National Ralph “Mac” Turner Isabella Ghement Foundation Chair-Elect Laboratory Ghement Statistical HealthCore, Inc. Jing Cheng Thesia Garner Consulting Company Ltd. Council of Sections Dean Johnson University of California, Bureau of Labor Statistics Representative Washington State San Francisco (unopposed) Richard Warr Section on Statistics University Doug Landsittel Program Chair-Elect Brigham Young University in Sports Executive Committee at University of Pittsburgh Shailaja Suryawanshi Kimberly Kaufeld Chair-Elect Large and the Starzl Transplant Merck & Co., Inc. Los Alamos National Phil Yates Peter Rankel Institute (unopposed) Laboratory DePaul University Stratus Solutions Program Chair-Elect Secretary/Treasurer Karl Pazdernik Robyn L. Ball Alisa Stephens-Shields Section on Quality Stefano Castruccio Pacific Northwest National Stanford University The University of and Productivity University of Notre Dame Laboratory Pennsylvania Chair-Elect Section on (unopposed) Yingqi Zhao Zhanpan Zhang Program Chair-Elect Statistical Jesse McNulty Fred Hutchinson Cancer Council of Sections General Electric Global Appoquinimink School Education Research Center Representative Research Ritwik Mitra District Chair-Elect Secretary/Treasurer Chris Gotwalt AT&T Labs Sarah Morris Michael Posner Nicole Bohme Carnegie JMP Division, SAS Institute Villanova University Datalys Center for Sports Montana State University (unopposed) Program Chair-Elect Nathan Tintle Injury Research and Yan Ma Ananda Jayawardhana Dordt College Prevention, Inc. The George Washington Pittsburg State University University Terri Henderson Johnson & Johnson Vision 14 amstat news march 2018 Survey Research Jeff Racine Cindy Lee Nicholas Horton Methods Section McMaster University Eli Lilly and Company Amherst College Program Chair-Elect Council of Sections Pilar Lim Chair-Elect Yanyuan Ma Janssen Research & Morgan Earp Representative The Pennsylvania State Avinash Reddy Pati Development Bureau of Labor Statistics University Astellas Pharma Inc. Section on Medical Chris Moriarity Alexander Aue Ben Joseph Barnard Devices and National Center for Health University of California, University of South Statistics Davis Alabama Diagnostics Program Chair-Elect Treasurer Section on Chair-Elect Yang Cheng Ping-Shou Zhong Meijuan Li Michigan State University Statistical Learning US Food and Drug US Census Bureau Administration Jelena Bradic and Data Science (unopposed) University of California, Chair-Elect Martin Ho Treasurer San Diego Yuanjia Wang US Food and Drug Dan Liao Columbia University Administration Council of Sections RTI International Representative Helen Zhang Program Chair-Elect Darcy Steeg Morris Aurore Delaigle University of Arizona Tyson Rogers US Census Bureau NAMSA University of Melbourne Program Chair-Elect Publications Officer Hao Zhang Adam Rothman Zheyu Wang Steven Pedlow Purdue University University Of Minnesota The Johns Hopkins University NORC at the University of Statistics in Defense Hongyu Miao Chicago University of Texas Health Statistics in and National Dhuly Chowdhury Science Center at Houston Genomics and Security Section RTI International Council of Sections Genetics Section Chair-Elect Representative Education Officer Chair-Elect Zach Seeskin Michael Porter Xiaoming Huo University of Alabama Georgia Institute of Saonli Basu NORC at the University of Technology University of Minnesota Chicago Douglas Ray School of Public Health US Army ARDEC - Xiao Wang James Wagner Picatinny Arsenal Purdue University Wenyi Wang University of Michigan University of Texas MD Program Chair-Elect Section on Statistics Anderson Cancer Center Council of Sections Kassie Fronczyk Representative in Imaging Program Chair-Elect Karl Pazdernik Xiang Zhan Julia Soulakova Chair-Elect Pacific Northwest National Penn State University University of Central Anuj Srivastava Laboratory College of Medicine Florida Florida State University Publications Officer Qiongshi Lu Bo Lu Dan Rowe Davina Durgana University of Wisconsin- The Ohio State University Marquette University World Learning School of Madison Teaching of International Training Program Chair-Elect Kelly Townsend Linglong Kong Statistics in the University of Alberta Health Sciences The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Robert Krafty Section Laboratory University of Pittsburgh Chair-Elect Council of Sections Laila Poisson Representative Section on Mental Henry Ford Health System Kyle Caudle Health Statistics John Gatta South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Chair-Elect Northwestern University Hongyuan Cao Joe Warfield University of Missouri- Council of Sections The Johns Hopkins Columbia Representative University Applied Physics Constantine Daskalakis Laboratory Wes Thompson Thomas Jefferson University of California, University Section for San Diego Jose-Miguel Yamal Statistical Program Chair-Elect The University of Texas Programmers and Scott Comulada Health Sciences Center University of California, School of Public Health Analysts Los Angeles Section on Chair-Elect Knashawn Morales Vipin Arora University of Pennsylvania Nonparametric Eli Lilly and Company Statistics Council of Sections Amy Rosen Representative (three Chair-Elect GCE Solutions candidates) Runze Li Program Chair-Elect Christine Mauro Pennsylvania State Navneet Hakhu Columbia University University Axio Research march 2018 amstat news 15 ASA, AMS Issue Joint Statement on Drawing of Voting Districts, Partisan Gerrymandering ​ he American Statistical • It has become easier to redistricting discussions around Association and Council design district plans that the 2020 Census,” noted 2018 of the American strongly favor a particular ASA President Lisa LaVange. TMathematical Society (AMS) partisan outcome. AMS President Ken Ribet issued a joint statement to inform • Modern mathematical, statis- said, “Our community is poised discussions and planning around tical, and computing meth- to play a central role in ongoing the drawing of voting districts as ods can be used to identify discussions about methods for we approach the 2020 census. district plans that give one of creating voting districts and the This marks the first time in the parties an unfair advan- evaluation of existing and pro- recent history the two organiza- tage in elections. posed district maps. It has been tions have issued a joint state- a pleasure for me to observe the ment of broad interest to the “While these points may be recent explosion in interest in American public. common knowledge in some this topic among colleagues and The statement is organized circles, it’s important they be students in mathematics and around the following three facts: stated by objective and respect- statistics. I anticipate that the new ed authorities like the AMS statement by the ASA and AMS • Existing requirements for dis- and the ASA and for them to Council will lead to increasing tricts generally do not prevent be more widely known in the transparency in the evaluation of partisan gerrymandering. districting methods.” “Statistical and mathematical standards and methods can be Poster and Project Competition very helpful to inform decision- makers and the public about Deadlines Near; Judges Sought partisan gerrymandering,” remarked the statement’s main Introduce your K–12 students to statistics through the annual architect, Jerry Reiter, chair of poster and project competitions, directed by the ASA/NCTM Joint the ASA Scientific and Public Committee on Curriculum in Statistics and Probability. There is no Affairs Advisory Committee. cost to enter either competition. “The statement acknowledges Posters (grades K–12) are due every year on April 1. See details at the value of partisan asymme- https://goo.gl/rhJW3K. try as a standard, and it high- Projects (grades 7–12) are due June 1. More informa- lights some methods for mea- tion can be found at https://goo.gl/43yxLX. Look closely at the suring partisan asymmetry. The new rules for the project competition and a new rubric for the statement does not endorse any poster competition. one method, as ultimately this Also, judges for the 2018 project competition are needed this sum- issue is determined by policy- mer. Judging takes place via email and requires about four hours of makers and the courts.” your time. If interested, email head judge, Nathan Kidwell, at nathan. In issuing the statement, [email protected]. the two societies also offer to connect decision-makers and policymakers with mathemati- cal and statistical experts. Read the joint statement online at https://goo.gl/PnCfZU n

16 amstat news march 2018 Puerto Rico Government Considers Eliminating Statistical Agency

he Government of Puerto Rico (PR) is con- sidering a bill (PS-809) that would elimi- nate the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics T(PRIS), a move that—if approved—would remove the many protections in place for the independent production of statistics for the Caribbean island. Introduced January 19, PS-809 proposes the following:

1. Replacing the PRIS with the Puerto Rico sympathy for the Puerto Rican people and offering Statistics Program in the Department of the ASA’s help. Regarding PRIS, LaVange stated Commerce and Economic Development the following:

2. Transferring oversight of all PRIS activi- Government statistics play a powerful role in any ties from its director to the secretary of the democracy. They empower the economy, serve Department of Commerce and Economic the health and welfare of its citizens, improve Development, effectively eliminating the governance, and inform decisions and policies in director position the public and private sector, among many other 3. Directing the secretary to outsource vital functions. Government statistics are also through privatization all statistical func- fundamental to evidence-based policymaking, the tions currently performed by PRIS, as well engagement of which is on a rapid rise in local, state, as by the Puerto Rico Planning Board and and federal governments. Government statistics are the Government Development Bank produced through rigorous scientific processes and analyses performed by experts that can function 4. Eliminating the PRIS Board of Directors independently…. Accurate, objective, and timely The proposal is alarming because PRIS is an inde- statistics will help you and all PR residents. pendent government agency of the executive branch with many protections in place to ensure its impar- LaVange also noted disappointment in her letter tial collection, production, and communication of that a to-be-established panel to revise the num- statistical data. The director position, for example— ber of deaths due to Hurricane Maria does not currently held by Mario Marazzi—is a 10-year require independent experts in statistical analysis appointment by the PRIS Board of Directors. be involved. Marazzi has full control over PRIS operations to LaVange’s comments echoed those of a US ensure the independence of its data. Congressional Task Force on Economic Growth in The ASA, with guidance from its Puerto Rico Puerto Rico that wrote in 2016 “that the govern- Chapter and other members, has coordinated with ment of Puerto Rico consider appropriating a level leaders of Ciencia Puerto Rico to post a petition to of funding to the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics Governor Ricardo Rosselló and the legislature urg- that is commensurate with its important responsi- ing a stronger PRIS, instead of its dismantling. The bilities … [and] that the Institute of Statistics con- ASA asks its members and others to sign the peti- tinue to protect its independence.” tion—which has gathered 2,800 names so far—at Early indications there would be a bill to elimi- https://goo.gl/veMRKT. nate PRIS were surfacing as LaVange sent her letter. ASA President Lisa LaVange, after learning In addition to signing the petition to save PRIS, about the precarious funding and independence read the two articles about the Puerto Rico develop- of PRIS and inadequate estimates of deaths due ments in the February issue of Significance magazine to Hurricane Maria, wrote to Rosselló expressing at www.significancemagazine.com. n

march 2018 amstat news 17 Hundreds Sign Statement to Halt Legal Proceedings Against Georgiou, Colleagues ​ he ASA’s sign-on statement in support of Andreas Georgiou—the former head of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT)— Tand his colleagues, who continue to face charges of wrongdoing by the Greek government for revising inaccurate and misleading deficit and debt figures, has garnered widespread support from a broad array of prominent individuals and organizations within the statistical and scientific communities. Thus far, more than 45 organizations and 1,050 individuals have signed the statement, including organizations representing economists, statisticians, and researchers. The list of individu- als supporting the statement is equally impressive, including the following: • Nine Nobel laureates • A former managing director of the Andreas Georgiou, Consultant-Official Statistics Giving International Monetary Fund the Late-Breaking Session I: National Governments, • A former chair of the White House Council Coerced Narratives, Creative Language, and Alternative Facts. Greece: When Official Statistics Fall Prey to Political of Economic Advisers Interests at this past JSM in Baltimore, Maryland in 2017. • Two former chief statisticians of the United Photo by Eric Sampson States • A former director of the United Nations jeopardy—are troubling on multiple levels. The Statistics Division prosecutions undermine the current production of Greek statistical figures, which in turn undermines • Current and former heads and officials of Greece’s efforts to end its cycles of economic national statistical offices from around the crises and attract foreign investment. Trusted, world credible statistical data are a cornerstone of a well- • Many officials and former officials of nation- functioning democracy and a healthy economy. The al statistical offices prosecutions also violate the scientific freedom and human rights of Dr. Georgiou and his colleagues • National statistical society officers to present their scientifically derived statistical data • Academicians, professionals, and dozens of without interference and to “extend and disseminate Greek nationals knowledge for the good of humanity.” The statement calls on the Greek government to immediately halt legal proceedings against Georgiou This statement is the latest in a series of actions and his colleagues and notes the detriment of the taken by the ASA and other statistical bodies to pro- Greek authorities’ approach to the country’s econo- tect the integrity of official statistics and those who my. In addition, the statement reads: produce them in accordance with rigorous statistics rules and principles. The continued prosecutions of Dr. Georgiou for his The ASA is still asking for people to sign the work, many times after findings of innocence— statement. If you haven’t yet signed, visit www. amounting to double or even potentially triple tinyurl.com/SupportGeorgiou. n

18 amstat news march 2018 MEMBER GIVING REACHES NEW HIGH

hank you for making 2017 another success- • Help government officials and the pub- ful year for the ASA! Your donations are lic understand the vital role statistics plays doing so much good work, and we are through campaigns such as ThisIsStatistics and incrediblyT grateful. Count on Stats A total of $224,755 was raised in 2017 in sup- • Provide professional development and port of ASA programs and initiatives. That is a 38% mentoring opportunities to our community increase from last year’s total of just under $163,000. of young statisticians These funds help the ASA do the following: A special thank you to the three anonymous • Provide free resources and training for K–12 Google statisticians who matched other ASA mem- teachers ber donations up to $12,000! Once again, ASA • Engage students through classroom projects members rose to the challenge and a total of $24,000 and competitions was raised in just under two weeks. • Help the K–12 Statistical Ambassador deliver We can do more today than ever before thanks valuable professional development to educa- to these generous contributions. Your membership in the ASA makes our association strong, and your tors across the country and advocate for better donations make it even stronger. Thank you! statistics education

march 2018 amstat news 19 $500 – $999 Charles Contant Jr. John Angle Bruce Craig Ming-Hui Chen John Czajka SOCIETY Christy Chuang-Stein Floyd E. Demmon III Thank you to Helen Walker Society Justin Fisher Jay Devore members, who contributed Nancy Geller Marie Diener-West $1,000 or more in 2017. Lee Kaiser Philip Dixon $5,000+ Jon and Patricia Kevin Drummey Kettenring Brenda Kay Edwards Stan Altan Arthur Kennickell James Lepkowski Patricia English Susan Harris Fritz and Elizabeth Juanita Tamayo Lott Dianne Finkelstein Tim and Bev Scheuren Robert Mason Ben Fitzpatrick Hesterberg Anonymous Google Jerry Moreno Christine Franklin Statisticians Margaret Nemeth Ronald Fricker Jr. $1,000 – $4,999 Edward and Anna Nevius John Gabrosek John M. Abowd David Morganstein Sastry Pantula Mitchell Gail David Banks Sally Morton Roger C. Pfaffenberger Stephen J. Ganocy Barbara Robles Turkan Gardenier Mary Ellen Bock Jeri and Edward Robert Santos Martha Gardner Patrick Cantwell Mulrow David Scott Joseph L. Gastwirth Marie Davidian Vijayan N. Nair Haiwen Shi John Gaudiosi Jr. William Notz Richard De Veaux Dennis Gilliland Katherine B. Ensor Barry Nussbaum Mary Gray Varghese George Robert O’Neill $100 – $499 Susan Groshen Arnold Goodman Van L. Parsons Baris Akgoz Olga Gurvich Katherine T. Halvorsen Allen Heller Paula Roberson David Allison Albert Anderson Frank Harrell Borko Jovanovic Robert Rodriguez Jonathan Auerbach Mark Harris Daniel Kasprzyk James L. Rosenberger Alfred H. Balch Brian Harris-Kojetin Elizabeth Kelly John Sall Utpal Kumar Donald Hedeker Thian S. Kheoh Richard Scheaffer Bhattacharya Richard Heiberger Carol Bigelow Michael Kutner Dolores Silva Smith Elizabeth Hill Andrew James Booker Mary Kwasny William and Patricia James Himelein Jr. William Bridges Jr. Klaus Hinkelmann James Landwehr Smith Tucker Briggs Susan Hinkins Lisa LaVange Steven Snapinn Norman Bush Nicholas Horton Cynthia Long Jessica Utts Robert Carver Michael Ikeda Ron and Sherry Madhuchhanda Jie Chen Thomas Jagger Mazumdar Wasserstein Herman Chernoff Amara Keerthi David Moore Linda J. Young Sandra Pryor Clarkson Jayewardene James Cochran Dallas E. Johnson David Collins Jane Johnson

20 amstat news march 2018 Henry Kahn Motomi Mori David Thomson Karen Chiswell Albert Noble Hendrix Jerome Keating Mary Mulry Theresa Utlaut Charles Clemens Jr. Edward Herranz Tim and Jennifer Wayne Nelson David Van Dyk Dana Creanga Susan Hilsenbeck Keyes J. Keith Ord Steve Verrill Andrew Joseph David Hoaglin David Kimble George Ostrouchov John Helge Volstad Cucchiara John Holcomb Jr. Elizabeth King-Sloan Mark Otto Sean Walker Harry Michael Cullings David Holtschlag John Knorr Jane Pendergast Lance Waller Francis Dane Ping Hu Uwe Koehn Eva Petkova Jane-Ling Wang James Dignam Thomas Ilvento Henryka Komanska Darwin H. Poritz Min Qi Wang Rositsa Borislavova Karol Krotki Peter Imrey Betram Price Naisyin Wang Dimova Lee Kucera William Iwig David Pyne John Watts Kevin Dobbin Brenda Kurland Justin Jacobs Adrian Raftery Edward J. Wegman Peter Dolan Robert Kushler Peter Jaehnig Aparna Thomas Wellington Michael Scott Donna LaLonde Raychaudhuri Timothy White Douglass Ananda Jayawardhana Lynn Roy LaMotte Martin Ribe G. David Williamson Edward Drozd Booil Jo Carol Lancaster Sarah Elise Roberts Zhiwei Zhu Josee Dupuis Alicia Johnson Purushottam Laud Guilherme Veiga Stephen Ziliak Susan and Jonas Rocha Brian Johnson Dennis Lin Ellenberg Charles Rowland John Kalbfleisch Roderick Joseph Stephen Elston Little V.A. Samaranayake Sarah Kalicin $50 – $99 Hans Engler Patti Frazer Lock Abdul Sankoh Arturo Erdely Stephen Kaluzny Michael Adena Anthony Lonardo Serap Sankoh Gilbert Fellingham Deepak Khatry Susan Anderson Thomas Loughin Carl Schaper Julie Fondurulia Mimi Kim Stewart Anderson Esther J.X. Lu Christopher Schmid Ralph Frankowski Antje Kirchner Masakazu Ando Joseph Lucke Paul Schmidbauer Rongwei Fu Sarah Hurwics Henry Bahnson III Kogut David W. Lyon John Schoolfield Michael Fundator John Bailer Lancine Konate Yan Ma John Schuenemeyer Jan Theodore Jarrett Barber Laura Kubatko Vithal Madhira Stanley Sclove Galkowski Chris Barker Chrisnel Lamy Cristiana Mayer Marilyn Seastrom Hanna Gerlovin Laurie Barker Philip T. Lavin George McCabe Mohammed Shayib Mae Gordon Wesley Basel Jerald Lawless Donald McClure Patrick Shrout Robert Gould Sam Behseta Kerry Lee John McConnell Miles Edward Timothy Green Simpson Jonathan Berkowitz Russell Lenth Janet McDougall James Hall Monroe Sirken Jesse Berlin Sergei Leonov John McKenzie Jr. Harold Haller Charilaos Skiadas Cynthia Bocci Sally Lesik Cyrus Mehta E. James Harner Joan Skurnick Nancy Brucken Ernst Linder Matthew G. Bradley Hartlaub Mercurio Nancy Spruill Bart Burington Rachel Hartmeier Clifford Long Michael Meredith W. Robert Patricia Busk Daniel Hawkins Stephen Looney Stephenson Renee Miller Betsy Cadwell- James B. Heaton III Thomas Louis Yves Thibaudeau Gunnels George Milliken William Heavlin Thomas Love Ronald Thisted Mary Carlson Geert Molenberghs Nathaniel Alan Timothy Lutz Carol Thompson Grace Chan Katherine Monti Heckert Valery Lynn

march 2018 amstat news 21 Krisanna Machtmes Edwin Robison Camlin Tierney Robert Baker Jeanine Gnang Greg Maislin Richard Rode Tammy Tom Paul Baum Rebecca Gore Dalisay Maligalig Deborah Rolka Robert Tortora Joanne Carolyn Christopher Gray Elizabeth Igor Rubets Tor Tosteson Beer Marilyn Greene Mannshardt Alvin Beltramo Estelle Russek- Tomer Tsiporen Joel Greenhouse Dennis Mar Cohen Shijia Bian Hiroe Tsubaki Sylvia Halasz Olga Marchenko Leah Sahely Jonas Bilenas Esa Ilkka Uusipaikka Janice Hartgrove- Leslie Ain McClure Alan Salzberg Nicholas Bowersox Freile Jennifer Van Marcelo Medeiros Susan Sanchez Mullekom Jan Bruha Audrey Eleanor Hendricks Grace Medley Roger Sauter Timothy Victor Damian Brunold Nicholas Hepler Stephen Meskin Christian Schindler Roger Walker Kevin Cain Dilrukshi Chandima Mary-Jane John Schoenfelder Kristie Wallace Joseph Caldwell Mietlowski Hewage Howard Seltman Michael Weaver Vittorio Castelli William Mietlowski Brennan Hodge John William James Weber Paramita Steven Millard Richard Holcomb Senner Chakraborty Sanford Weisberg Charles Miller Stephen Houston Venkatraman Edmond Cheng James Whipple Shirley Mills Seshan Welling C. Howell Jr. Yansong Cheng Andrew White Thomas Murray Lynne Seymour Ozenim Paul Krishna Kiran Jennifer White Igumbor Teruo Nakatsuma Nagambal Shah Chotneeru Linda Whitehand Philip W. Iversen Charles B. Nam Michelle Shardell Stephanie Coffey Haviland Wright Augustus Jayaraj Ronald Neath Takayuki Shiohama Brenda Collins Colin Wu Imededdine Jerbi Fassil Nebebe Stephanie Shipp John Craycroft Gooloo Wunderlich Kenneth Johnson Regina Nuzzo Pedro Luis Do Nairanjana Jane Oppenlander Nascimento Silva Kazunori Dasgupta Monica Johnston Yamaguchi Ian Parke Jeffrey Smith Yves Deville Nina Kajiji Keying Ye Rusi Patell Stephanie Smullen Xue Ding Mona Kanaan Robert Yerex Roxy Peck Alexa Jean Mokede Muriel Dow Ihsan Karabulut Sorant Lisa Ying Edsel Pena Bonnie Dumas Vatsala Vachaspati Susan Spruill Bing Zhang Karwe Gene Pennello Leonardo David Nancy Stambler Yuxin Zhang Thomas Keefe Eswar Phadia Epstein A. Jackson Stenner Corwin Zigler Eunice Kim Joseph Pigeon Richard Forshee Susan Stewart Hans-Friedrich Dudley Poston Benjamin Frisch Brad Stiritz Koch Dale Preston Neal Fultz Charles Leslie Henry Kranendonk Megan Price $1 – $49 Joel Galang Strecker Divya Kumar William Robert Erin Abrahams Stuart Gansky Donald Strickert Esra Kurum Prucka Rich Allen Kathleen Campbell James Swain Luca La Rocca Weiliang Qiu Philip Ambrosini Garwood Peter Swanson Margaret Land Ray Redd Alexander Jonathan Adam Julie Tackett Gelfond Doug Langbehn Melissa Reitkopp Andronov Thaddeus Tarpey Sujit Ghosh Kelvin Lee Winston Ashton Josephine Richards Mary Thompson Asafu-Adjei Warren Glimpse Herbert Lee III

22 amstat news march 2018 Eric Leifer Jerry Li Memorial Gifts Simon Harold Linder Gifts were made in fondest memory of the following individuals: Jean Linner Gang Liu Xingdi Shi Gertrude Cox T.W. Anderson Jin Long Martha Aliaga James R. Thompson Bernard Harris Travis Loux Belayet Hussain Lawrence Cox Patrick Carmack Vered Madar Carole Makela Bob Hogg Merle Stangl Emanuel Parzen Binod Manandhar Chen Zipei Rita Zemach Muhammad Abdul Mannan Todd Mattson Gifts in Honor Barbara McKnight Gifts were made in honor of the following: Phoebe McLaughlin

Lisa McShane Ron Wasserstein ASA’s Immigration Statement Michele Melia James E. and Sharron L. Bennett Kathleen Mellars Herman Chernoff Christopher H. Morrell Mark Mueller Vinh Nguyen Larry Price Julia Sharp Charles Twardy Loc Nguyen Philip Prorok Eric Siegel Jeffrey Vaks Violeta Alicia Nolberto John Ragland II Jonathan Siegel Carl Norwood von Ende Sifuentes Carol Redmond Susan Simmons W. Duncan Wadsworth Michael Nolte Maureen Taylor Reiner Harvey Singer Brandie Wagner Julia Norton Angela Ren Janet Sinsheimer Peter Westfall Thomas Nunnikhoven Danny Rithy Mary Ellen Slaughter Roseann White Robert O’Brien Russell Roegner Richard Smiley Brian Whitlow Frank Olken Robert Rosenfeld David McCulloch Smith Colin Williams James O’Malley Janet Rothers Robert Smith Jean Williams Megan Orr Juan Salazar Boubacar Sow Rebecca Wong Edgar Ortiz Stephen Salbod Kenneth Soyemi Dongfeng Wu James Peck William Ellery Samuels William Stager Ling Xu Raymond Peck Sanjaya Kumar Saxena John Staudenmayer Yuxin Xu Jiayu Peng Patricia Scanlan John Stickler Robert Yaffee Edward Perrin Mark Schluchter Mark Strong Kathleen Yeater Karriem A.J. Perry Stephen Senn Dionne Swift Marian Yong Luigi Pieri Babak Shahbaba Josh Tabor Binbing Yu Laila Poisson Mohammad Shakil Steven Thomson Jerome Yurow Kyle Porter Gary Shapiro Margot Tollefson Sahar Zangeneh Dionne Price Abbass Sharif Nancy Torrieri Jun Zhang

march 2018 amstat news 23 ALICIA CARRIQUIRY hated her first job, and this motivated her to pursue a graduate degree, which eventually led her to become the first female full professor of statistics at Iowa State. Since then, she has mentored 20 doctoral students and was principal in investigator on a large award SSCS SCECE that helped establish the Center for Statistics and Applications in In honor of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating more Forensic Evidence. than 30 ASA women who work in statistics and data science. These accomplished women were chosen because they inspired and influenced other women in their field. Read their full bios at www.amstat.org/wis and find out why they chose statistics, who influenced them, and what they have accomplished.

EMMA K. T. BENN questioned why racial/ethnic minorities were not adequately represented in the field MINE ÇETINKAYA-RUNDEL— of biostatistics. Eventually, she co- who is originally from Istanbul, founded the BEST Diversity Program, Turkey—works on the OpenIntro a summer program to expose under- project, whose mission is to make represented minorities, economically educational products that are disadvantaged students, and free and transparent and to lower students with disabilities to barriers to education. biostatistics and its applications to cardiovascular research and public health more generally.

24 amstat news march 2018 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

MICHELLE DUNN fell in love with statistics on her way to freshman BETH CHANCE always had a year at Harvard, after studying talent for mathematics and a love for a quantitative reasoning test. for human learning, but was never As a first-generation student, Now, she is CTO and co-founder of sure what she could “do” with them. Data Collaboratory, a technology Eventually, she discovered she REBECCA DOERGE studied theoretical mathematics at the company that builds data science could teach statistics and make it tools—and a company she built as applicable as possible to anyone University of Utah. There, she gained an interest in both computing from the ground up. Michelle’s goal who will listen. This past year, she is to continue to put into action what received the Text and Academic and human genetics. Now dean of the Mellon College of Science at she has learned about leadership Authors Association Award for Most from her hero, statistician and hiring Promising New Textbook. Carnegie Mellon University, she has earned mentoring awards and was manager Brenda Edwards. elected Fellow of the AAAS and ASA in 2007.

Having received very MONTSE FUENTES began her theoretical training at the University journey as a pianist, but developed of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, an interest in statistics as a way to MARIE DAVIDIAN learned FRANCESCA DOMINICI always transform data into knowledge. As through “trial by fire” how to be loved mathematics and probability, a dean now, promoting inclusive an effective applied statistician- but statistics was love at first sight excellence and bringing leadership collaborator. Her first book, Nonlinear because she could become an Benn’s photo by opportunities and career success Marcia Wilson Models for Repeated Measurement expert in different fields as long as to women and minorities is a Data, co-authored with David there was data. Her studies have priority for her. Dominici’s photo by Giltinan, is considered a seminal text directly and routinely affected air Kris Snibbe/Harvard on nonlinear mixed effects modeling quality policy and led to more Staff Photographer and pharmacokinetic analysis. stringent ambient air quality standards in the United States. For her contributions, she has earned the Janet Norwood Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in the Statistical Sciences.

march 2018 amstat news 25 SHARON LOHR became a statistician because she liked math, RACHEL HARTER was inspired but did not want to be restricted to study statistics during an to one narrow area of scholarship. internship at Oak Ridge National In 2014, she became the first Laboratory. Being an academic MONICA JACKSON began woman to give the Deming Lecture. was not her calling, so she jumped her research career when she was Today, she is a freelance statistical at the chance to work as a survey an undergraduate student at Clark consultant and writer, following a statistician. Now she oversees the Atlanta University. Since then, she 25-year career in academia. statistical work on RTI’s largest has, as a spatial statistician, worked survey project. on applying her spatial techniques to a wide variety of medical problems. Now she is invested in developing research programs for undergraduate students.

For as long as she can remember, KRISTIAN LUM has enjoyed AMY HERRING always asked math and logic puzzles. Her questions and never said no to an interest in math took off in high opportunity, even when it involved school when she took calculus being a team statistician for her from an excellent professor at the high-school basketball team. Now, FRAUKE KREUTER grew up in local community college. She has she loves to bring research topics Heidelberg, Germany, and has had concentrated on applying statistics into the classroom and is consistently a passion for math and statistics to important problems in human on the lookout for potential statistics from early on. As a statistician, she rights ever since and is the lead scholars to recruit. has leadership roles in multiple statistician at the Human Rights Data institutions—including on several Analysis Group, where she examines continents. She makes all these the use of machine learning in the positions work through wonderful criminal justice system. teams and partnerships.

26 amstat news march 2018 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

WENDY MARTINEZ, who served as an active member of the BONNIE RAY always loved US Army Signal Corps for several mathematics, but it was during years, became interested in data Born a highly competitive math nerd, a summer internship at Texas science when pursuing her PhD BHRAMAR MUKHERJEE rose Instruments that she began at George Mason University. She through the academic ranks while to appreciate the power of held the position of science and being a full-time single parent with computing. She currently leads technology program officer at the no family support. Now a professor of data science activities at Talkspace, Office of Naval Research, where biostatistics, she is also associate director a NYC-based startup that enables she established a research portfolio for cancer control and population improved mental health for all by comprised of academia and industry sciences at the University of Michigan providing an affordable, accessible, performers developing data science comprehensive cancer center. and secure platform for messaging- products for the future Navy and based psychotherapy. Marine Corps.

SUSAN MURPHY always loved mathematics and made it a career The daughter of two immigrant when she realized statistics could When RACHEL SCHUTT was Martinez’s photo by doctors, SALLY MORTON has use mathematics to improve our five years old, her father realized Barbi Barnum from focused her career on health policy society. In 2013, she was awarded a her primary school was directing Studio B Photography with the objective of using statistics MacArthur Fellowship for her work the girls to practice knitting while on experimental designs to inform Murphy’s photo by to help patients and their families the boys solved math problems. He Eliza Grinnell make better health care decisions. She sequential decision-making. intervened and came to the class chose to study statistics because she to teach the girls set theory. Her Lohr’s photo courtesy of Southwest Portraits enjoyed applied mathematics and interest in math persisted and she desired a career with the potential for went on to become one of the first helping people live a better life. chief data scientists of a Fortune 500 company.

march 2018 amstat news 27 JESSICA UTTS developed a love of teaching and a passion for After receiving tenure at Cornell, DAWN WOODARD went on Inspired to study statistics while promoting statistical literacy during sabbatical at Microsoft Research, earning her undergraduate degree, her graduate years at Penn State. where she created travel time KIMBERLY SELLERS has gone Watching her sister and mother prediction methods for use in Bing on to be recognized both nationally struggle through formula-based Maps. She then transitioned to a and internationally for her work statistics courses prompted her to role at Uber, building and leading on generalized statistical methods write two literacy-based textbooks: their Marketplace Optimization Data involving count data that contain Seeing Through Statistics and Mind Science organization, which is one data dispersion and image analysis on Statistics. She has won awards for of the premier data science teams techniques. She is also actively outstanding teaching and has served at Uber and includes specialists in committed to diversifying the fields in a variety of leadership positions. operations research, economics, of mathematical and statistical statistics, and machine learning. sciences, both with respect to gender and race/ethnicity.

DANIELA WITTEN is the recipient of a number of honors, including an NIH Director’s Early XIHONG LIN gained an interest As a first-generation college Independence Award and the in statistics while working on her student, Gertrude Cox Scholarship. She DALENE STANGL undergraduate thesis on analysis of studied psychology and sociology is committed to translating key time-series data. She currently works at Iowa State University, but it was concepts in statistical machine on whole genome sequencing her research in the area of mental learning to a broad scientific association studies, genes and health that convinced her to pursue audience and is also a co-author environment, integrative analysis of a PhD in statistics. Among her many of the extremely popular textbook, different types of data using causal achievements, she garnered four Introduction to Statistical Learning. mediation analysis, and analysis of strategic initiative awards—one that electronic medical records. kick-started the popular Celebrating Women in Statistics and Data Science conference.

28 amstat news march 2018 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

HAO HELEN ZHANG was When LINDA YOUNG went to born and raised in Taiyuan, Shanxi the Oklahoma City zoo with a team Province, China. From a young working to determine why age, she was passionate about the golden marmosets were getting mathematics. Since then, her sick, she knew she wanted to research has been supported by be a statistician. Young has since NSF, NIH, and NSA. She also serves explored her interests in on several editorial boards of agriculture, the environment, and professional journals. KELLY ZOU is a native of education and, recently, has Shanghai and her work on receiver worked with others to explore the operating characteristic analysis has potential of web scraping to develop led to her being the recipient of the list frames for surveys. Stauffer Award for the best article published in Academic Radiology. She has received multiple prizes in the ASA Biopharmaceutical Section’s poster competitions and Statistical Significance contests and held a number of leadership roles.

Read their full bios online at TIAN ZHENG grew up in Beijing, China, and her interest in statistics www.amstat.org/wis. stemmed from her keen curiosity about complex patterns and trends BIN YU was born in Harbin, China, in natural and social phenomena. and grew up during the Cultural Currently, she works in machine Revolution. When she was little, her learning, spatiotemporal modeling, cousin gave her a math book that image analysis, and social network hooked her on math. Bin’s current analysis and earned the Outstanding research interests focus on statistics Statistical Application Award in 2008. Witten’s photo by Jenny Jimenez, and machine learning algorithms photojj.com and theory for solving high- dimensional data problems. She shares her knowledge by serving on many editorial boards from different societies.

march 2018 amstat news 29 columns

MASTER’S NOTEBOOK A Master’s in Statistics from a Scientist’s Perspective Sheila Rosenberg

always enjoyed math when I Coleman, who exposed me to But worth it. I just completed was growing up. When I was myriad opportunities for using my master’s in applied statistics in college, my mom wisely quantitative methods to uncover about a month ago, and I am suggestedI I pursue a career in biological mechanisms and, ulti- now actively searching for a job. something math related. I mately, advance medical care. I While I don’t know yet what my remember telling her I liked the could see the value of being a sci- next career phase will look like, I idea, but I wasn’t sure how to entist who collaborated with ana- believe pursing the master’s was use math to help people. As I lytical experts. But I also found completely worth it and came discovered later, there are clearly myself feeling a little envious of with many benefits (some more many ways to use math to help the statisticians and engineers I unexpected than others). Here is Sheila Rosenberg people, and there are several met, because they had the oppor- what I learned through the process recently began careers—including ones in sta- tunity to develop and use inter- and reasons I would highly recom- working as a data tistics, engineering, etc.—that esting quantitative methods to mend a master’s in statistics: scientist at Kaiser provide this opportunity. analyze data. Distance learning programs Permanente. She At the time, I hadn’t made Shortly after starting a posi- offering flexible schedules make completed a master’s in applied statistics that connection, so I went to tion in which I was designing, a master’s degree accessible and from Colorado State graduate school to study neuro- implementing, and analyzing adaptable. From what I have seen, University and a PhD science instead, with the goal of research studies in a neurologi- the number of graduate programs in neuroscience from developing new therapeutic treat- cal rehabilitation hospital, I kept offering a distance learning option the University of ments for diseases. I began by finding myself with questions is continuing to increase. Many Southern California. examining molecular strategies such as the following: of these programs seem willing She also completed postdoctoral training for treating diseases and gradu- • What is the right analytical to accommodate students who in neuroscience, ally ventured into translational, method to use to analyze want to work and go to school or bioengineering, and bioengineering, and clinical this data? take classes full time. This means clinical research at the research, where I had the oppor- you have the flexibility to find a University of California, tunity to help develop and evalu- • What kind of power do I have program with a curriculum and San Diego. ate therapeutic treatments for a with these small groups? schedule you like (hopefully) range of medical conditions. • How do I make predictions without having to relocate (in case Interestingly, this career path about which patients might that isn’t an option). There are cer- kept leading me back to the need benefit from certain treatments tainly downsides and drawbacks for quantitative approaches. As based on their physiological to not being in the classroom, but soon as I started working with results? video lectures work pretty well and human subjects, I discovered I In my efforts to answer these provide the opportunity to rewind needed statistics to balance my questions, I struggled to know and review material. Some profes- groups, determine the relation- what resources to use and sors offer options like office hours ship between sample size and became lost trying to follow over Skype. And many schools, power, optimize my study designs, the more mathematical expla- libraries, and testing centers offer and analyze my data. The exciting nations I discovered online. I proctoring services for you to take potential for simultaneously ana- decided that if I wanted to con- your exams locally. Overall, I think lyzing physiological, behavioral, tinue to advance and optimize my the system works well and likely and clinical data highlighted the scientific endeavors as an indepen- will only improve with time. need to learn approaches to eval- dent investigator, I really needed The statistical community uate multi-modal data and draw to learn more math and pursue seems very welcoming and useful conclusions. additional training as a statistician. friendly. In my experience so far, I was fortunate to work with Going back to school was statisticians seem to be awfully nice a postdoctoral mentor, Todd hard—harder than I expected. overall. For example, I attended a

30 amstat news march 2018 columns

local San Diego Chapter event before starting the master’s pro- have a whole new arsenal of strate- and former ASA president Jessica gram. It was a bit of a rough gies for analyzing biological data, Utts gave a talk. I ran into her later learning curve initially, but like but it’s also exciting and useful to and she was extremely friendly learning any language, immer- know having a master’s in statistics and approachable. I’ve also been sion was definitely effective. The should allow me to explore new amazed at the amount of interac- practice I gained with coding was fields if I desire. The statistics com- tion that takes place through the both insanely frustrating at times munity provides an exciting arena, ASA chapter and section emails. and incredibly valuable. Plus, it where people may work in many There seems to be many opportu- exposed me to the vast resources environments with different goals nities for students and recent grad- and advice for coding available but come together and speak a uates, as well as outreach globally online. As my study group often common language to provide ideas (with organizations like Statistics remarked, it’s also amazingly satis- from disparate fields that might be without Borders). fying when you find that one silly useful to your project. There also You can make great new error in the code you’ve been stuck appears to be ongoing potential friends with unique perspec- on for hours and get the code to to move between fields because tives. I interacted with great class- compile successfully! of the relative generalizability of mates through the online discus- You will expand (I think!) many statistical techniques. sion forums my courses offered. I your career opportunities. I If you are like me and you also was extremely lucky to form don’t have a new job yet, but I’m enjoy variety and the opportuni- a study group with three other now qualified to apply for a fresh ty to try new experiences, I think distance-learning students, all of set of jobs as a result of the mas- you’ll find a master’s in statistics us located in different places with ter’s degree. I’m hoping to com- rewarding. You’ll also be excited different backgrounds and careers bine my previous experience in to hear the quote by John Tukey at different stages of our lives. This research with my statistical train- really does appear to be true: The group made the program infinitely ing and continue to work on the best thing about being a statis- easier and more enjoyable. We had discovery and development of tician is that you get to play in the chance to help each other with new therapeutics. It’s thrilling to everyone’s backyard. n assignments and work together on group projects. It was great to have moral support and humor and advice from each other, and I would never have predicted I’d leave the program with these great new friends. You will develop a fun and exciting set of tools and build a quantitative foundation. I was lucky to find a program at Colorado State University focus- ing on applied statistics while emphasizing quite a bit of theory and underlying calculus/linear algebra, which was what I wanted. I felt this combination has enabled me to continue to learn on my own after graduating, because I can speak the mathematical lan- guage in a way I wasn’t able to before completing the master’s. For me, the coursework was chal- lenging, but also extremely inter- esting and intellectually satisfying. You will learn how to code (and have to develop a lot of patience while trying to code). I had never coded in SAS or R

march 2018 amstat news 31 columns

PASTIMES OF STATISTICIANS What Does Claire Bowen Like to Do When She Is Not Being a Statistician?

Bowen, after a day of training for the Ironman, hulks in front of the White House.

Who are you, and what is your statistics position? My name is Claire Bowen, and I am a statistics PhD Out front, #17 runs past her competitors during the candidate in the applied and computational math- Kalamazoo Klassic in 2016. ematics and statistics department at the University of Notre Dame. I continue this hobby to help maintain a healthy lifestyle and for the overall positivity I’ve experi- Tell us about what you like to do for fun enced from running and triathlon communities. when you are not being a statistician. Being overweight before, my training keeps my When I’m not being a statistician, I participate in physical and mental health in check more easily. I endurance races such as marathons and triathlons. love that I can do other physical activities like hik- Claire Bowen ing and snowboarding without being exhausted What drew you to this hobby, and afterward. My stress has gone down considerably, what keeps you interested? and training breaks up my day when I’m stuck on During high school, I was overweight and could a research problem (or sometimes I figure out the barely run a mile. Originally, I joined the cross problem during a run). country team as the student manager and started I joined the local biking and triathlon clubs, running to keep up with the team better. Through where I have the opportunity to meet people in the encouragement of the team and coach, I different social groups. In these endurance race changed to a runner by the end of the season. communities, everyone is encouraging and positive Since then, I discovered I enjoy long-distance about the sport they’re in, because it doesn’t mat- races. I completed my first marathon when I was 19 ter how you perform in the races. What matters is and my first half-Ironman when I was 24. My goal that you are swimming/biking/running and you are is to complete an Ironman before I am 30. doing it for you, becoming the best you can be. n

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STATS4GOOD DataKind’s Vision Zero Traffic Models Save Lives

ataKind is one of the offers opportunities for short-term able for the first time, this ongoing most prominent organi- projects, including engagements analytic work is developing models zations in the Data for with a four-hour stint and week- to save lives. DGood volunteer movement. end Data Dive events. While the exposure model can Founded in 2011 by data scientist With its own core profession- be applied to different cities, several Jake Porway, DataKind (www. al staff in addition to many vol- models developed by the DataKind datakind.org) has grown rapidly to unteers, DataKind offers oppor- Vision Zero project have been become a large, global organization tunities for direct employment designed for specific locations. In With a PhD in making a great impact, with thou- in Data for Good. DataKind New York, a crash model identifies statistical astrophysics, is well known and respected in accident locations and the street David Corliss sands of volunteers working on works in analytics dozens of projects. Headquartered professional circles. features associated with them. In architecture at Ford in New York, DataKind has chap- One large DataKind project Seattle, with the highest rate of bicy- Motor Company ters in San Francisco; Washington, now underway is with Vision cle usage among the first three cities, while continuing DC; London; Dublin; Bangalore; Zero, an international traffic safety a suite of models examines vehicle astrophysics research and Singapore and hosts events project working to design a high- collisions with bikes and pedestrians. on the side. He is the In New Orleans, an impact assess- founder of Peace- around the world. The organiza- way system with zero fatalities or Work, a volunteer tion combines the resources of a serious injuries. Vision Zero start- ment tool measures the effects of cooperative of large number of volunteers with a ed in 1997 in Sweden, which saw treatments to improve traffic safety, statisticians and data smaller cadre of professional staff. a 42% decrease in traffic fatalities such as improved signage. scientists providing With substantial financial support between 1999 and 2009, even as This project displays many analytic support for traffic volumes were increasing. important characteristics of the charitable groups and from foundations, grants, and applying statistical other donations supporting a mul- After being copied in various ways Data for Good movement. An methods to issue- titude of projects, DataKind is a in several European countries and organization engaged in the public driven advocacy in powerful engine for using data and Canada, DataKind collaborated good—in this case, the city gov- poverty, education, analytic science to make a differ- with Microsoft to begin a project ernments seeking to reduce traffic and social justice. ence in communities and around early this year aimed at applying accidents—has some data, but lacks Vision Zero goals, principles, and the analytic resources to leverage it. MORE ONLINE the world. Find out more about the For many projects, DataKind methods to cities in the US. Volunteer data scientists provide the Vision Zero project at partners directly with other DataKind’s multi-year needed expertise to manage existing https://goo.gl/SZDVgH organizations—not-for-profits, Vision Zero project targets three resources, develop new data sources, or learn about DataKind nongovernmental organizations American cities: New York, Seattle, and provide analytics needed to projects at their Get (NGOs), and government agen- and New Orleans. This partner- empower action for the good of all. Involved monthly In each city, the DataKind team is roundup at www. cies—engaged in addressing ship with Microsoft and the city datakind.org. problems and creating solutions governments has already produced developing data infrastructure and with data science. DataKind also a number of important statisti- models that can be adapted to other MORE DATA for GOOD collaborates with corporate data cal models. “Exposure” models cities across the country and around On March 14, the science efforts, partnering with to estimate traffic volumes have the world. National Academies of been developed for New York and As one of the leading Data for Sciences, Engineering, Informatica, Cloudera, Pivotal, and Medicine are Microsoft, and others. Volunteers Seattle. These models are able to Good organizations in the world, presenting a conference, often work closely with a project estimate traffic volumes on indi- DataKind offers many opportuni- Data Matters: Ethics, team centered on a particular issue vidual streets throughout these ties for statistical volunteers—and Data, and International or organization. cities. The information makes a even a few professionals. With Research Collaboration DataKind’s labs are large, critical difference in planning and large and small projects partnering in a Changing World with social organizations, NGO’s, in Washington, DC. long-term projects with many evaluating accident mitigation Registration is free. volunteers led by DataKind core strategies: While the cities have government agencies, and others, https://goo.gl/M6cBYF professional staff. Data Corps had good data on outcomes—the Data for Good with DataKind is projects connect volunteers with a accidents—for some time, predic- one of the most important chan- social service or community group tor information has been incom- nels for statisticians working for to use data science to further the plete. Armed with traffic estimates the benefit of society. n organization’s goals. DataKind also at the individual street level avail- march 2018 amstat news 33 columns

STATtr@k JSM Session: The Leadership Journey for Statisticians Mark Otto and Gary Sullivan model for academic leadership is to find individuals t the 2017 Joint Statistical Meetings, four statisticians represent- who have been successful researchers and educators, ing government, the business/private sector, and academia par- and then recruit them to be leaders. Success largely ticipated in a panel discussion, “The Leadership Journey for rests upon what one can learn from on-the-job train- AStatisticians,” organized and chaired by Gary Sullivan. Panelists shared ing! This is clearly not an optimal model for building their perspectives and experiences regarding the importance of leader- effective leaders. ship for statisticians and how leadership skills are developed. Here are There are an increasing number of opportunities to excerpts from that discussion. In addition, 2018 ASA President Lisa advance one’s leadership skills through formal courses, LaVange shares thoughts about her planned leadership initiative. workshops, or reading, and I highly recommend them. The first such course I took was while I was at an early career stage, transitioning from an assistant to associate What Is Leadership? professor. I found the experience to be enlightening, GARY: One definition of leadership is the ability and it helped to orient my thinking toward leadership, to inspire people to take a specific direction or to expand my leadership and management skills, and action when they truly have the freedom of choice to expand my network by connecting me to other cur- to do otherwise. Will you start by saying a few rent and emerging leaders at the institution. words about your experiences and perspective NANCY: I always had role models … my mother on the importance of leadership development was a role model. I also took on leadership roles as for statisticians … or your first realization of the early as when I was a junior counselor at day camp. importance of leadership? I took on leadership roles starting in high school and STACY: My first realization of the importance of on into college. My mother was always there (figura- leadership came when I found myself asking how tively). Gestalt workshops helped. I was acting head can I be more involved? Ask yourself what do you at Sloan-Kettering, but didn’t get the real position. want to do or what are you passionate about. How Nevertheless, I kept on persevering. do you want to commit your time and energy? You GARY: Can each of you talk about some leadership cannot lead if you do not have that passion and take characteristics or competencies that are especially that first step. important to develop if one is to become a statistical leader? BOB: Leadership development—gaining the abil- Gary Sullivan recently ity to influence others—is critical for statisticians, NANCY: Eye contact is important. … Do you retired from Eli Lilly because collaborating with people in other fields know what the difference is between a mathemati- and Company, a major is a fundamental aspect of our work. Few statisti- cian and a statistician? The statistician looks at your pharmaceutical research cians enter their careers intending to become lead- shoes when (s)he talks! It’s important to read body and manufacturing ers. I certainly didn’t, and I was unprepared for language and communicate effectively. You also company, where he was the senior director for my first management assignment. However, as I need to be able to explain statistical concepts in lay- nonclinical statistics. have learned over time, statistical leadership does person’s terms. not come with a title; it is emergent, rather than He earned his PhD in DUBOIS: Lead from a position of principles, driv- statistics from Iowa assigned. You become an emergent leader by rec- en by strong moral and ethical standards. Simply State University in 1989. ognizing a problem that matters to your organiza- stated, try to do the right thing. I select this com- His current focus is tion, moving to the middle of the situation, and leadership development petency because, in many ways, it allows us to tap influencing others to accomplish a common goal. for statisticians, and he is into skills that are very natural to us as statisticians. If Statisticians who can do this are increasingly val- the chair of the ASA’s Ad you can approach leadership issues from a perspec- Hoc Leadership Training ued in today’s data-driven organizations, and so we tive of principles, then the path toward a solution can Committee. should all be prepared to become leaders. almost be approached in the same manner you would DUBOIS: Leadership is a skill. Skills can be devel- approach a research problem or statistical analysis. oped. We may each possess an aptitude for cer- Our training equips us with skills to listen, frame tain aspects of leadership, but we are all capable of a problem, gather and synthesize information, analyze working to become more effective leaders. A common available data, make decisions informed by data, and

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Nancy L. Geller is F. DuBois Bowman is Bob Rodriguez is a senior Stacy Lindborg is the vice director of the Office of chair of the department of director at SAS Research president of biometrics at Biostatistics Research at biostatistics in the Mailman and Development with Biogen, one of the world’s the National Heart, Lung, School of Public Health at responsibility for the leading biotechnology and Blood Institute of Columbia University and development of statistical companies. She has a PhD the National Institutes of the Cynthia and Robert software. He earned his in statistics from Baylor Health, where she directs Citrone – Roslyn and Leslie PhD in statistics from University and more than a group of 12 statisticians. Goldstein Professor of The University of North 20 years of experience She is a Fellow of the Biostatistics. He is a Fellow Carolina. Rodriguez is a in the pharmaceutical American Statistical of the American Statistical Fellow of the American industry. She is a Fellow Association and was ASA Association and has served Statistical Association and of the American Statistical president in 2011. as president of the Eastern served as ASA president Association and has North American Region in 2012. held multiple elected (ENAR) of the International positions with the ASA and Biometric Society. International Biometric Society, Eastern North American Region. communicate decisions effectively back to stakehold- and expertise. With a humble attitude, you are open to ers. As statisticians, we often find ourselves the mem- listening and learning. It gives you the ability to create ber of a research team helping to ensure rigor and an environment with more trust. One should not maintain scientific integrity. This position enables be discouraged by failures or setbacks, but instead us to proceed in a relatively objective and unbiased use them as opportunities to look more closely at way. Similarly, leading from principles with high ethi- what went wrong and how you can learn. Let me cal standards allows us to have conviction that we are give an example. doing the right thing, regardless of who falls into the When I was at Eli Lilly, I took a leadership role winners and losers columns, even, in some cases, if outside my comfort zone as head of R&D strategy and you happen not to benefit directly from a decision. decision sciences. Early in my role, I was networking, Ultimately, this approach generates respect from col- collaborating, listening, motivating areas of transfor- leagues and your principle-based leadership may deliv- mation—in short, I thought I was rocking my role! er, rather than agenda-based leadership. In a regular 1:1 meeting, my boss looked at me and asked, “How are we going to help you be successful?” BOB: Business savvy is a critical competency. It I didn’t even know I wasn’t focusing on what they were means knowing the needs of your customers (inter- seeking. This question was so incredibly helpful and nal or external) and understanding the processes crucial to my success. To be successful, I had to step by which things get done in your organization. It back and explore what the focus of my role should be, also means speaking the language of the business seeking different perspectives. and applying metrics used by decision-makers. Another name for business savvy is organizational AUDIENCE: How do you identify and pursue the understanding, and it is a must for statistical lead- right opportunity? ers in any sector. For instance, as a newly elected vice STACY: Early in my career, I turned down a few president of ASA in 2005, I realized I had much to administrative jobs, opting to focus on technical learn about the operation of the board of directors. I roles. I ultimately took my first administrative posi- turned to one of our former presidents, Bob Mason, tion because it provided the opportunity to influ- who painstakingly explained the board’s structure and ence the entire early-phase portfolio. I could help functions. The insights I gained from Bob substan- translate areas that needed transformation (statistical tially benefited my subsequent work on the board. innovation) across the whole early portfolio versus the STACY: Have humility when you step into leadership much slower approach of motivating change one team roles. Understand the business from different levels at a time. Our focus could align our organization with

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what we saw as opportunities and drastically speed up future role. You may need new mentors at each stage the adoption rate. of your career. When looking for a mentor, think of But it doesn’t take an administrative, or even a the skill sets or people who will have perspective on big, role to grow as a leader. Taking on smaller lead- your future role and get a diversity of input. ership roles can also be very beneficial. For exam- BOB: Whether or not you have a good mentor at ple, I served as the program chair for the Midwest work—and that’s not always possible—consider Biopharmaceutical Statistics Workshop. Through this active involvement in the ASA as a wonderful way to role, I learned how important it was to listen to all meet outstanding people who share your interests and voices and leverage diverse input as I made key deci- can benefit your career through their examples, their sions for the conference. encouragement, and their advice. What it requires DUBOIS: I think it is never too early (or too late) from you is a commitment to serve with others. I owe to pursue leadership. I encourage faculty and staff to much of my professional development to working lead from where you are, whether on research teams, with talented volunteers on ASA committees. in education programs, committees, etc. Look to your NANCY: Being in a top position is lonely, and hav- passion to invest your time, energy, and creative ideas. ing someone to talk to is important. It’s good to seek But don’t discount serendipity, either, as often leader- feedback and to get input from the outside. Among ship opportunities will find you! my colleagues, I encourage people to seek me out and NANCY: Opportunities came to me and I said, “I ask questions. I will try to answer with empathy. I do guess I can do that,” even if I never did it before. know that my title gives me authority and I need to When I was asked to be ASA president, I was not use that power wisely. active in the ASA. It was an honor to serve. Before AUDIENCE: With the explosion of data science, I accepted, I thought the other parts of my life and how do statistics and statisticians get in the my other responsibilities would not suffer. (Boy, was I conversation and lead effectively? wrong!) If you overcommit, you will not have the time for what is important. STACY: It is not us versus them. We have a common interest in solving a problem, but we are so rigorous, STACY: I agree. Leadership is a marathon, not a we often can come late to the game. Data science and sprint. Do your best in anything you do, but don’t try statistics have different training focuses. Focus on to do everything. interests, rather than positions and stances. Focus on GARY: What role does mentoring play in leadership the solutions, not on the problems. development, and how has it helped you? BOB: We need to avoid the perceptions that we are BOB: Early in my career, as a statistician at GM naysayers whose aim is to enforce statistical rigor, and Research Laboratories, I learned the importance of that we are there solely to crunch the numbers at the effective technical writing from outstanding lead- back of the conversation. If we acquire the compe- ers such as Gary McDonald (statistics) and Joseph tencies of emergent leaders, we are more likely to be Colucci (fuels and lubricants), who not only modeled invited to shape the problem at the front of the con- it in their own publications, but also spent many hours versation, where we can advise data scientists, business critiquing drafts of my papers. Looking back, I gained people, and others about ways to design studies and writing skills that have served me well throughout my acquire data that can provide useful options and rel- career, and I learned leaders can have lasting impact by evant answers to important questions. That is increas- coaching younger colleagues in areas such as commu- ingly the case in companies where new sources of data nications and leadership. I now apply that leadership are now being used to drive strategic direction and cre- lesson by coaching people in my group in those areas. ate customer value. DUBOIS: Mentoring is a vital part of leadership NANCY: The data science and statistics divide is not development. I have benefitted directly from mentors any different from other divides we have experienced, over my career and have never hesitated to reach out to like with statistics and epidemiology, statistics and people, even now, to discuss or seek guidance on lead- genetics, or statistics and bioinformatics. It is in some ership matters. On the other side, while I don’t offi- ways a difference in personality and expertise. Go the cially mentor junior faculty to avoid potential conflicts same way we go after other collaborations, with our of interest, I view myself as a resource for all faculty expertise in modeling, analysis, and other methods. and try to identify opportunities for faculty to step GARY: What are some common characteristics of into leadership roles within my department or school. statisticians that make them strong leaders? STACY: Whatever enabled success at your current DUBOIS: We are collaborative, critical thinking, level will not necessarily make you successful in a thorough, analytical, and effective communicators

36 amstat news march 2018 columns across disciplinary boundaries. These skills position statisticians to play central leadership roles in com- During the Q and A session with the audience, Lisa LaVange, ASA president, plex organizations. I draw upon these skills to lead described her presidential initiative to establish a leadership institute at my department, as a leader in my school (among peer the ASA. The institute will centrally house leadership training materials and departments), and in university-wide initiatives. resources for easy access by ASA members currently in leadership positions STACY: We need to be aware that we can provide or interested in pursuing one in the future. In addition, she has chosen a perspective and a way of thinking that others can’t. #LeadWithStatistics as the theme for JSM 2018. Details about her leadership AUDIENCE: How do you handle a situation where initiative and plans for JSM 2018 will be announced in the coming months. the management asks for help, but then doesn’t use As the panelists shared, there are many paths for leadership development and the work of the technical staff, and the leadership just many opportunities for statisticians to lead. The topic of statistical leadership lurches from one crisis to another? has received an ever-increasing amount of attention within our profession in DUBOIS: First, I think it is critical to empower recent years, including courses, sessions, panel discussions, and webinars. As staff to develop and implement solutions. Engaging stated so well by 2012 ASA President Bob Rodriguez, “Leadership ability is a employees to develop solutions without implemen- prerequisite for the growth of our field because statistics is an interdisciplinary tation is a recipe to weaken enthusiasm for future endeavor and our success ultimately depends on getting others to endeavors. Leaders must be agile enough to address understand and act on our work.” The journey starts with becoming a student emergent crises. However, it is ultimately much more of leadership and encouraging others to do the same! effective to proceed in a proactive and strategic fashion. When crises emerge, one has to step back and exam- ine the underlying issues. There are those who push GARY: What is the one thing you would want to say to to get things done immediately and those who work yourself when you were starting out? to understand the drivers of the problems, enabling STACY: Be accountable for your own growth. Find them to formulate more sound solutions. I acknowl- ways and find time to keep learning and growing. For edge that delivering timely solutions is important, but example, as a young family with two working parents, often it is more impactful to slow things down, pay my free time is limited, so one way I learn is to listen attention to the context, prioritize, and develop and to TED talks while exercising, versus reading. This will implement solutions that will achieve greater success. change as I enter new life seasons, but no matter the BOB: I have found that not all crises are created equal, season, you have to come up with ways you can grow. and many quickly evaporate. If you are in a technical BOB: Become a long-term student of leadership. role, business savvy can help you distinguish between Identify outstanding leaders in all areas of your life, passing crises and real crises (where you can contrib- observe their skills, recognize and adopt the skills that ute). If you are a manager, don’t add to a passing crisis will help you, and continue to improve your skills. by redirecting the pressure you are under to the people in your group. Then, when a real crisis comes along, DUBOIS: Embrace and leverage diversity. The they will be more likely to respond appropriately. department of biostatistics at Columbia University runs a summer program (the BEST program) for STACY: You can take what you learn from other fac- undergraduates to enhance diversity, and we recently ets of your life and apply that to solve problems and celebrated the program’s 10-year anniversary. Our key- become a better leader. For example, sometimes my note speaker, Katherine W. Phillips—who is an expert children don’t tell me what is bothering them; they on diversity, teams, and leadership—described an simply act out. I have learned to “listen” by looking at experiment she conducted. She put people into the situation and the body language. Being able to read either homogeneous or diverse groups and had people makes me a better manager and leader. People them solve a problem together. At the end of the want to be heard and feel important. Motivating my exercise, she had the groups do self-evaluations and kids is not so different from motivating my staff. But also did external ones. The diverse groups outper- don’t tell them! formed the homogeneous groups, but this improve- NANCY: I like peace. I like my colleagues to be at ment was not the most shocking revelation. The peace with one another. If one behaves badly, I have homogeneous groups thought they did a better job a one-on-one and we talk about how what they are solving the problem! Sometimes diversity challenges doing is not effective. As there is a great deal of our thinking and may even feel uncomfortable, but diversity in our profession, we need to appreciate the benefits of diversity are critical to our profession different backgrounds, styles, and cultures, but not and to society. talking to one another is not permitted. I make it NANCY: Stretch yourself and you’ll probably be clear to my staff that we will need to have profes- able to muddle through! n sional interactions.

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12th ICHPS Takes Place in Charleston, Breaks Records Bonnie Ghosh-Dastidar

sharing and informal networking. Town halls were on global real- world data, the VA, engaging with community partners, Medicaid payment reform, and health care delivery system transformation. Networking dinners and meet-ups afforded opportunities to mingle in a relaxed environ- ore than 350 statisti- States. Details of all sessions and ment while enjoying Charleston’s cians, methodologists, activities can be found at www. hospitality and delicious food and health policy amstat.org/meetings/ichps/2018. during the local restaurant week. expertsM gathered January 10–12, ICHPS 2018 was supported Workshops included sequenc- 2018, at the Marriott Hotel in by grant number R13HS025884 es on causal inference, complex Charleston, South Carolina, for from the Agency for Healthcare survey analysis, and patient- the 12th International Research and Quality and by reported outcomes, plus work- Conference on Health Policy the Patient-Centered Outcomes shops on social network analysis Statistics (ICHPS). This was a Research Institute (PCORI) and an introduction to several record-breaking year in terms of through a Eugene Washington data sets from the US govern- number of conference abstracts Engagement Award. Project offi- ment, including the Medical and attendance. cers took an active role, challeng- Expenditure Panel Survey, ICHPS is held every two ing attendees to find effective National Health and Nutrition years, jointly sponsored by the mechanisms for disseminating Examination Survey, and ASA and Health Policy Statistics results so they translate into actu- Medicare Beneficiary Survey. Section (HPSS). Conference co- al policy and practice. Rousing addresses were deliv- chairs Laura Lee Johnson (US Presentations and posters cov- ered by Robert Califf, “Evidence Food and Drug Administration) ered a range of topics, includ- Generation in the Era of and Bonnie Ghosh-Dastidar ing fraud detection methods, Ubiquitous Information,” and (RAND Corporation) were sup- causal inference and treatment Suchi Saria, “A Methodologist’s ported by a 30-member organiz- heterogeneity, real-world evi- Quest to Improve Health Care.” ing committee, including two dence, pragmatic clinical tri- Each offered advice on opportu- student representatives and past als, and comparative effective- nities to redesign the health care conference chairs. ness. The Alan Alda Center for delivery system in an evidence- The theme—Health <-> Communicating Science con- driven way with incentives. Both Statistical Science <-> Care, ducted a workshop using impro- emphasized high-risk, interdisci- Policy, Outcomes—reflected the visational theater techniques plinary problems of real interest interactive relationship between developed to help people speak requiring scalable interventions. health services and outcomes more vividly and expressively. Conference proceedings research and innovative statis- Wednesday included a career will be published in Health tical methodology to facilitate panel and networking lunch for Services and Outcomes Research informed discussions regarding students. Thursday afternoon Methodology. health reform and other efforts to included town halls and round- HPSS presented its Long- improve health care in the United table discussions to allow for idea Term Excellence Award to

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HPSS Achievement Awards Go to … Morton, Rosenbaum, Basu

he Health Policy Statistics Section (HPSS) present- ed the 2018 HPSS TAchievement Awards—including the Mid-Career Award and Long-Term Excellence Awards— Conference co-chair, Laura Lee Johnson, get together with Arlene Ash, Sally January 12, following the plenary Morton, and Kelly Zou during the International Conference on Health Policy session of the 12th International Statistics Conference on Health Policy Statistics (ICHPS) at the Charleston Marriott Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. The awards “honor individu- als who have made significant contributions to the develop- ment of statistical methods or have developed innovative sta- tistical applications for health care policy or health services research.” The awards are given to encourage research in this area and increase awareness of HPSS in the statistical community. Sally C. Morton of Virginia Tech and Paul R. Rosenbaum of the University of Pennsylvania Glynis S. Ewing, discusses her poster “Alright Ladies, Buckle Up: The Effects each received the 2018 HPSS of Seating Position, Gender, and Other Factors on Seat Belt Usage Rates and Long-Term Excellence Award, Data-Driven Policy Solutions” which recognizes significant contributions to health care policy and health services Sally C. Morton (Virginia Tech activities were supported by research through mentoring University) and Paul Rosenbaum grants, awards, and multiple and/or service that advance the (University of Pennsylvania). industry and institutional aims of HPSS. Anirban Basu (University of partners, including AbbVie, Anirban Basu of the Washington) received the Mid- Amplexor, Pfizer, and Research University of Washington Career Award. Triangle Institute (RTI). received the 2018 HPSS Mid- ICHPS also provide 21 ICHPS2020 is planned for Career Award, which recognizes student travel awards, sup- January 6–8 in San Diego, leaders in health care policy and ported by grants, and ASA’s California. For more informa- health services research who have Biopharmaceutical Section, tion, contact conference chairs, made outstanding contributions and the ASA’s Mental Health Kate Crespi and Ofer Harel, at through methodological or Statistics Section. Conference [email protected]. n applied work. Furthermore, the

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award honors those who show Morton has held multiple techniques, sensitivity analysis a promise of continued excel- leadership roles in academia and for unobserved confounding, evi- lence at the frontier of statistical industry. Prior to her current dence factors, the consequences practice that advances the aims appointment at Virginia Tech, of adjusting for a post-treatment of HPSS. she was chair of biostatistics at variable, methods for generic Morton is dean of the col- the University of Pittsburgh, vice unobserved biases, and instru- lege of science, professor in the president for statistics and epi- mental variables. department of statistics, and demiology at RTI International, Basu is the Stergachis Family Lay Nam Chang Dean’s Chair and head of the Statistics Group Endowed Director of the at Virginia Tech. She was the at the RAND Corporation. Comparative Health Outcomes, 2009 president of the American Morton’s effective leadership and Policy, and Economics Statistical Association and is a mentorship have supported the (CHOICE) Institute, as well as Fellow of the ASA and American members of these groups in mak- a professor of health economics Association for the Advancement ing a significant impact on health in the departments of pharmacy, of Science. She is a recipient of services research and health poli- health services, and economics the Janet L. Norwood Award for cy in the nation. at the University of Washington, Outstanding Achievement by a Rosenbaum is the Robert Seattle. He is a health economist woman in the statistical sciences, as G. Putzel Professor in the and statistician who special- well as the ASA Founders Award. department of statistics at The izes in research on comparative Morton is an internationally Wharton School, University of and cost-effectiveness analyses, known statistician, with more Pennsylvania, where he is also causal inference methods, pro- than 200 papers, book chapters, a senior fellow at the Leonard gram evaluation, and outcomes and peer-reviewed reports in Davis Institute of Health research. He is also a faculty statistical methods and applica- Economics. He is the author research fellow at the National tions—most recently related to of three books: Observational Bureau of Economic Research patient-centered comparative Studies; Design of Observational and a Fellow of the American effectiveness research (CER), Studies; and Observation and Statistical Association. In addi- observational studies, treatment Experiment: An Introduction to tion, he was one of the panelists efficacy and trial quality, and evi- Causal Inference. on the Second Panel on the Cost- dence synthesis. She has collabo- Rosenbaum is a Fellow of Effectiveness Analysis in Health rated on a wide range of clinical the ASA, received the George and Medicine. and societal topics such as back W. Snedecor Award from the Basu’s methodological contri- pain, health care quality, home- Committee of Presidents of butions span works on develop- lessness, mental health, and sub- Statistical Societies in 2003, ing new estimators for modeling stance abuse. and received the Nathan Mantel health care expenditures, novel For her expertise in CER, Award from the ASA Section instrumental variable methods Morton was appointed to the on Statistics in Epidemiology that deal with unobserved het- Methodology Committee of in 2017. His research interests erogeneity, and value of infor- the Patient-Centered Outcomes include the design and analysis mation methods. He chaired Research Institute. She also of observational studies, health the 2010 ICHPS, was HPSS serves as a meta-analytic expert outcomes research, experimental program chair for the Joint for the Agency for Healthcare design, and psychometrics. He Statistical Meetings in 2008, and Research and Quality Evidence- has made extensive contributions was a member of the planning or Based Practice Center program, to statistical methods for obser- the advisory committee for four which provides systematic vational studies, including co- other ICHPS meetings. Basu’s reviews on which many clinical developing the propensity score, leadership has helped strengthen practice guidelines and national a now common tool in observa- the core constituency and dis- health policy decisions are based. tional studies. Additionally, he semination of health policy, In addition, she has been a mem- has contributed to several other health services research, and out- ber of several National Academy aspects of observational studies, comes research within the Health of Medicine committees. including multivariate matching Policy Statistics Section. n

40 amstat news march 2018 awards & deadlines

Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award

he Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award rec- ognizes and encourages the mentoring of junior staff in the statistical community in Previous Award Winners Tfederal, state, or local government. It is awarded annually to a supervisor, technical director, team Rich Allen (National Agriculture Statistical Service), 2003 coordinator, or other statistical staff member who is Beth Kilss (Internal Revenue Service), 2004 nominated by a supervisor and co-workers for his or her efforts in supporting the work and develop- Renee Miller (Energy Information Administration), 2005 ing the careers of junior staff. Martin O’Connell (US Census Bureau), 2006 The Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award was established to honor Griffith, who died in August Stephanie Shipp (National Institute of Standards and 2001, after working for more than 25 years in the Technology), 2007 federal statistical system. Throughout her career, Rosemary D. Marcuss (Bureau of Economic Analysis), 2008 and especially in her latter senior management positions at the National Center for Education Kevin Cecco (Internal Revenue Service) and Lillian S. Lin (Centers Statistics and the National Science Foundation, one for Disease Control and Prevention), 2009 of Griffith’s highest priorities was to mentor and Deborah H. Griffin (US Census Bureau), 2010 encourage younger staff at all levels to learn, grow, and recognize and seize career opportunities as they Jenise L. Swall (US Environmental Protection Agency), 2011 came along. Bill Mockovak (Bureau of Labor Statistics), 2012 The award recipient will be selected for his or her efforts to support the work and develop the careers Brian Harris-Kojetin (Office of Management and Budget), 2013 of junior staff. Preference will be given to individu- J. Gregory Robinson (US Census Bureau) and Kenneth Schoendorf als with a track record of mentoring government (National Center for Health Statistics), 2014 statisticians. Examples of typical mentoring activi- ties include the following: Aldo “Skip” Vecchia (US Geological Survey), 2015 • Advising junior staff to help them create career Diane L. Willimack (US Census Bureau), 2016 opportunities, networking skills, and contacts for growth and development Cynthia Ogden (National Center for Health Statistics), 2017 • Counseling junior staff and providing resourc- es to help develop their technical writing, anal- ysis, presentation, and organizational skills and guidelines, and a list of sponsors are available from knowledge the Government Statistics Section and the Social Statistics Section websites (see http://community. • Encouraging the growth and career develop- amstat.org/governmentstatisticssection/home). ment of junior staff through attendance and The award committee will determine the winner oral presentations at meetings with higher-lev- in May. The award will consist of a $1,000 hono- el officials, staff of other agencies, professional rarium, a citation, and a plaque, which will be pre- associations, training courses, and conferences sented at a ceremony arranged by the co-sponsors. • Motivating junior staff and building self-con- Contact Kevin Cecco at [email protected] if your fidence by providing feedback, being a listener organization would like to co-sponsor the award. when needed, and creating a caring and sup- The nomination package must be emailed portive environment or mailed The Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award Committee, c/o The American Statistical • Serving as a role model for junior staff through Association, 732 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, professional expertise; information and VA 22314-1943. insights; balancing collegial and personal roles; Questions about the award can be addressed to and including everyone regardless of rank, race, ASA Professional Development and Sections and ethnicity, or seniority Chapters Manager Rick Peterson at [email protected] Nominations for the 2018 award will be or the chair of the award committee, Bill Mockovak, accepted until April 16. The nomination form, at [email protected]. n

march 2018 amstat news 41 awards & deadlines

Jerome Sacks Award

“The Jerry Sacks Award has traditionally been given to an individual. Anyone can send us a nomi- nation, nominating a colleague or a friend,” says Christy Chuang-Stein, NISS Board member and member of the NISS Awards Committee, add- ing, “The nominations are reviewed by the NISS Awards committee and the most qualified candidate is selected based on the spirit of the award.” Looking Back Last year’s award recipient, Jun S. Liu, is a professor of statistics at Harvard University. Liu was recog- Jun S. Liu (center), winner of the 2017 Jerome Sacks Award, is flanked by NISS Board nized for his groundbreaking research contributions Chair Mary Batcher (left) and NISS Director (DC office) Nell Sedransk. at the interface of statistics and biology, including Photo by Greg Dohler algorithms for protein sequence analysis, DNA sequence motif finding, gene expression analysis, and Past Sacks Award Winners regulatory network elucidation that have become important tools for computational biologists. Jun S. Liu (2017), William F. Eddy (2016), Stephen Fienberg “I feel extremely honored to be a recipient of the (2015), Terry Speed (2014), Kenneth Burnham (2013), William Jerome Sacks Award. Looking at the name list of Meeker (2012), Emory Brown (2011), Sallie Keller (2010), former Sacks Award recipients and their achieve- Ramanathan Gnanadesikan (2009), John Rice (2008), Cliff ments, I also feel so much humbled. This award Spiegelman (2007), Adrian Raftery (2006), Jeff Wu (2005), is to celebrate achievements in interdisciplinary Douglas Nychka (2004), Raymond Carroll (2003), Max Morris research. By its nature, it is not just for me. It is (2002), Elizabeth Thompson (2001) for all those who have taught me science, who have accepted me into their research teams, and all those Other Awards Offered by NISS scientists who have appreciated my statistical contri- NISS Postdoctoral Achievement Award, www.niss.org/news/ butions,” said Liu. shanti-gomatam-and-minge-xie-receive-2017-niss-former- Looking Forward postdoc-achievement-awards At JSM 2018, Liu will speak at an invited session NISS Distinguished Service Award, www.niss.org/ hosted by NISS, titled, “Cross-Disciplinary Research niss-distinguished-service-award on Statistical Genomics and Bioinformatics.” Wing Hung Wong, professor of statistics and biomedical data science at Stanford University, and Lingzhou he National Institute of Statistical Sciences Xue, assistant professor of statistics at Penn State (NISS) invites nominations for the 2018 University, will join Liu at this invited session. Liu’s Jerome Sacks Award. The deadline for send- talk is based on a collaboration with the computa- Ting nominations is April 1. tional biology lab led by Vamsi K. Mootha, pro- The Jerome Sacks Award recognizes sustained, fessor of systems biology and medicine at Harvard high-quality, cross-disciplinary research involv- Medical School. Details can be found at www.niss. ing the statistical and data sciences. The 2018 org/events/2018-joint-statistical-meeting. award will be presented at the NISS-JSM (Joint Statistical Meetings) reception in Vancouver, How to Nominate British Columbia. To nominate an individual, submit in one com- bined PDF document the following information to About the Award [email protected] by April 1: The Jerome Sacks Award for Cross-Disciplinary 1. Nomination letter (maximum two pages) Research was created in 2001 in honor of Jerome 2. Supporting letters from two individuals (other (Jerry) Sacks, the founding director of NISS. The than nominator) winner of this award receives $1,000 and a plaque. 3. The nominee’s CV The winner’s name will also be added to a plaque at Nomination packets remain active for two years NISS that lists all recipients of the award. following the year the nomination is sent. n 42 amstat news march 2018 awards & deadlines

Links Lecture Award

he Links Lecture Award was created to honor the contributions of Constance Citro, Robert Groves, and Fritz Scheuren MASTER’S IN Tand contribute to the advancement of work in offi- cial statistics through the statistical use of adminis- BIOSTATISTICS trative records and alternative data sources; record linkage; statistical methods for creating blended estimates; and issues associated with these activities 1 YEAR OPTION! such as privacy, confidentiality, researcher access, and reproducibility of results. Each year, a lecturer 4 TRACKS: is chosen from among a set of nominated candi- dates to receive the award and present a lecture. The award includes a modest honorarium and Biostatistics travel expenses to present the Links Lecture in the Washington, DC, area. Genomics and Selection Criteria Bioinformatics The award will be given to the nominee whose work, in the judgment of the award committee, Health Care Analytics has most contributed to the advancement of official statistics through the following: • Statistical use of administrative records and Social and Behavioral alternative data sources Science • Record linkage • Statistical methods for creating blended estimates • Issues associated with the activities list- ed here such as privacy, confidentiality, researcher access, and reproducibility of results Internship Nominations Nominations are due by May 1. Nominators #2 US Hospital should submit—at minimum—a CV and two Affiliated with School letters of support. The nomination should clearly document the ways in which the nominee meets the criteria for the award, emphasizing the impact MONTHLY WEBINARS of the nominee’s work on official statistics. Email nominations to [email protected]. ON PROGRAM Award Recipient Responsibilities http://epbiwww.case.edu/ The award recipient will present a lecture in the ms-biostatistics Washington, DC, area about their work at a mutu- ally agreed-upon time. The award recipient is responsible for providing a current photograph and general personal information the year the award is MORE INFO? presented. The American Statistical Association [email protected] uses this information to publicize the award and prepare the prize. Please contact the committee chair, Arthur B. Kennickell, at [email protected]. n march 2018 amstat news 43 section • chapter • committee news

sectionnews Statistics in Quality, Industry, and Technology. This is a joint meeting of the 25th Spring Research Conference on Statistics in Industry, which SPES jointly spon- Risk Analysis sors with the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, and the 35th Quality and Productivity Conference, which Invited Speakers for the Two-Day Risk Analysis Symposium is sponsored by the ASA’s Section on Quality and Ed Melnick – Professor of Statistics and Deputy Chair of the Department of Information, Productivity (Q&P). The joint conference is being held Operations, and Management Science, NYU Stern School of Business June 11–14 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This is a small Richard Smith – Mark L. Reed III Distinguished Professor, UNC – Chapel Hill regional conference that provides a great opportunity for Dale Hall – Managing Director of Research, Society of Actuaries new researches to get to know the SPES and Q&P com- John Wambaugh – Project Lead for Rapid Exposure and Dosimetry Project, ExpoCast US EPA munities. You can find details at https://goo.gl/K4kwVp or Clarice Weinburg – Deputy Branch Chief, Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, NIEHS send questions by email to [email protected]. David Banks – Professor of the Practice of Statistics, Duke University The annual Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) will be held in Vancouver, BC, Canada, this year from July Iliyan Iliev – Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, University of Southern Mississippi 28 to August 2. SPES will host a variety of invited and contributed sessions during which you can learn about new statistical methods and applications to a variety of The 21st century has seen a revolution in big data ana- physical and engineering sciences. And don’t forget to lytics. Though there have been methodological advances attend the business meeting/mixer, which SPES usually analyzing these rich data sets, risk assessment science has cosponsors with other sections. often lagged behind. The last SPES-sponsored conference of the year is To bring together the top minds within statistics the 2018 Fall Technical Conference being held October and risk analysis communities and to cross pollinate 3–5 in West Palm Beach, Florida. This conference is ideas between practitioners in different areas, the Risk cosponsored by the ASQ Statistics Division and the Analysis Section is having a symposium in the depart- ASA’s SPES and Q&P sections. The theme is “Statistics ment of analytics at North Carolina State University and Quality: Riding the Big Data Wave.” You can find May 10–11. details at www.falltechnicalconference.org. At this two-day symposium, participants will be A continuing SPES program is the Marquardt challenged by leaders on topics such as toxic/environ- Memorial Industrial Speakers Program, which is mental, economic, terrorism/defense, climate, and funded by a generous endowment made by Margaret genetic disease risk. These speakers will present current Marquardt in memory of her late husband, Donald challenges and stimulate discussion among participants. Marquardt, who was an ASA Fellow and former ASA Additionally, focused breakout sessions will allow col- president. The program’s objective is to familiarize stu- laboration with other scientists. dents with the role of statisticians in industry, an appli- To promote interest in risk analysis, student dis- cation area to which students often are not exposed. The counts will be given and a contributed poster session program seeks to fill this gap by bringing experienced will allow all researchers to present their work while dis- industrial statisticians to campus to talk directly with cussing challenges. Though this conference focuses on students about their work and industrial experiences. If risk analysis, it should be of interest to any quantita- you would like to have a speaker visit your campus or if tive-minded researcher interested in big data analytics. you would like to tell the world about life as an indus- Registration is open at www.harrissymposium. trial statistician, contact the program’s chair, Vaneeta org/register. n Grover, at [email protected]. We are also interested in new initiatives to provide Statistics in Physical and Engineering services to our members. Currently, the ASA is promot- Sciences ing an initiative to improve mentoring in the statisti- Pete Hovey, 2018 SPES Chair cal profession. If you have an interest in mentoring and would be willing to help SPES develop a mentoring I know it is a little late, but Happy New Year! program, send me a note at [email protected]. I’ve been a SPES member for at least 20 years, and SPES is open to any type of career development pro- I still didn’t realize how active SPES is until I took on grams you think would be useful. If you have an idea, the role of chair this year. I am taking this opportunity please contact me or any of the officers to see what we to remind you of the many activities SPES sponsors can do to help implement it. Also, if you want to add a and invite you to participate in at least one this year. leadership role to your résumé, please consider running Networking is vitally important in any career, and for a SPES office. The jobs don’t require an excessive you can meet your colleagues in SPES at three confer- amount of time and you get the chance to meet some ences. First up is the 2018 Joint Research Conference on interesting and enthusiastic colleagues. n

44 amstat news march 2018 professional opportunities

Professional Opportunity listings may not exceed 65 words, plus equal opportunity information. The deadline for their receipt is the 20th of the month two months prior to when the ad is to be published (e.g., May 20 for the July issue). Ads will be published in the next available issue follow- ing receipt. Listings are shown alphabetically by state, followed by international list- North Carolina ings. Vacancy listings may include the institutional name and address or be n identified by number, as desired. IDDI seeks a senior biostatistician Professional Opportunities vacancies also will be published on the ASA’s who collaborates on the design, website (www.amstat.org). Vacancy listings will appear on the website for analysis, interpretation and commu- the entire calendar month. Ads may not be placed for publication in the nication of scientific investigations by magazine only; all ads will be published both electronically and in print. creating statistical products focused Rates: $320 for nonprofit organizations (with proof of nonprofit status), on data analysis and reporting. $475 for all others. Member discounts are not given. For display and online The senior biostatistician supports advertising rates, go to www.amstat.org/ads. the analysis of data gathered dur- Listings will be invoiced following publication. All payments should be ing the completion of clinical trials. Applicants must have a master’s in made to the American Statistical Association. All material should be sent biostatistics or statistics and at least 5 to Amstat News, 732 North Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314- years’ experience in clinical research. 1943; fax (703) 684-2036; email [email protected]. Apply online: www.iddi.com/category/ Employers are expected to acknowledge all responses resulting from jobs/vacancies-usa. EOE. publication of their ads. Personnel advertising is accepted with the under- standing that the advertiser does not discriminate among applicants on Oklahoma the basis of race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin, handicap, or sex- n The Department of Mathematics ual orientation. at the University of Tulsa seeks candi- Also, look for job ads on the ASA website at www.amstat.org/jobweb. dates to fill a tenure-track position in

march 2018 amstat news 45 statistics at the assistant professor level. will be given to candidates with research maries, and three reference letters. Full Requirements include a PhD in statistics interests in clinical trials and Bayesian advertisement https://uwaterloo.ca/ or a closely related field, a commitment statistics. Apply online at https://jobs. statistics-and-actuarial-science/ to teaching excellence, clear potential for uwm.edu/postings/27089. The review available-positions. EOE. productive research, and ability to con- process will continue until the position tribute to a new interdisciplinary program is filled. UW- Milwaukee is an AA/EEO Nationwide in data science. To apply: Email to Employer and is committed to increasing n RAND is currently seeking statistical [email protected] or https://utulsa.edu/ diversity in recruitment and retention, programmers to work in our multidis- about/working-at-tu/available-positions. and advancing our university as an inclu- ciplinary environment in support of The University of Tulsa is an equal sive, caring and accessible destination policy research on a wide range of issues. opportunity employer and is especially campus for all people. Programmers work closely with the interested in candidates who can con- research staff in creating, managing, and tribute to the diversity and excellence of Ontario analyzing large and complex data files. the academic community through their n The Department of Statistics and BA/BS in statistics, biostatistics, econom- research, teaching and/or service. Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo, ics, mathematics, quantitative social sci- invites applications for 2 definite-term ences, or related field required; MA/MS Wisconsin lecturer positions. A graduate degree in preferred. Locations: Santa Monica, CA; n The Zilber School of Public Health, areas of actuarial or statistical sciences is Washington, DC; and Pittsburgh, PA. University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, required. Apply through (www.mathjobs. www.rand.org/jobs/id4676. RAND is an seeks a visiting assistant professor in bio- org/jobs). Include cover letter, CV, teaching EOE. n statistics, beginning in fall 2018. Priority statement, and teaching evaluation sum-

46 amstat news march 2018 AMSTATNEWS ADVERTISING DIRECTORY

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march 2018 amstat news 47 SOCIAL CHATTER

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community. Chelsea Parlett Pelleriti • @ChelseaParlett amstat.org Gertrude Cox, Jessica Utts, @JennyBryan So many more... www.facebook. com/AmstatNews Sy • @syfi_24 Sophia Rabe-Hesketh (Berkeley), Marie @AmstatNews Davidian (North Carolina State), Erica Moodie (McGill), Nan Laird (Harvard), www.instagram Daniela Witten (U Washington), Sara van .com/AmstatNews Gertrude Cox de Geer (ETH Zurich), Andrea Rotnitzky (Di Tella), Hae Kyung Im (U Chicago).

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I admire @JennyBryan @minebocek, they Nan Laird should be celebrated #womeninstat

Alex Sundermann • @ACSundermann Pratheepa Jega • @PratheepaJ @LucyStats is brilliant, passionate, and @SherlockpHolmes We should celebrate down-to-earth. What more could you Prof. (Susan) Holmes. She is a mobile want? Only a few years into her career, statistics encyclopedia. #statswomen but this lady is going places. #StatsCrush #womenhist #womenlead #RisingStar EleanorVierling NBCT • @HSTATistics @MonaChalabi Data Editor of @guardian NEXT MONTH: In celebration of Math and Statistics Awareness Month in April, Mona Chalabi • @MonaChalabi tell us: What is your title--but what do you you are crazy! But thank you! xx actually do? Use #MathStatmonth and follow @AmstatNews

48 amstat news march 2018

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