AMSTATNEWS the Membership Magazine of the American Statistical Association •

March 2021 • Issue #525 AMSTATNEWS The Membership Magazine of the American Statistical Association • http://magazine.amstat.org

ALSO: Meet the ASA Board of Directors Candidates for 2022 Celebrating 50 Years of the Caucus for Women in Statistics Seattle

Statistics, Data, and the Stories They Tell Be on the Program!

Key Dates for Participants Key Dates for Attendees March 16 – April 14, 2021 May 3, 2021 General Abstract Submission Registration and Housing Open February 3 – April 15, 2021 (11:00 a.m. ET) Late-Breaking Session Proposal Submission June 1, 2021 July 1, 2021 Early Registration Deadline Draft Manuscript Deadline June 30, 2021 Regular Registration Deadline July 1, 2021 Housing Deadline

August 7–12, 2021 Washington State Convention Center ww2.amstat.org/meetings/ jsm/2021 AMSTATNEWS MARCH 2021 • ISSUE #525 Executive Director Ron Wasserstein: [email protected] Associate Executive Director and Director of Operations features Stephen Porzio: [email protected] 3 President’s Corner Senior Advisor for Statistics Communication and Media Innovation Regina Nuzzo: [email protected] 5 ASA Members Give Despite Trying Times Director of Science Policy 10 2022 ASA Board of Directors Candidates Steve Pierson: [email protected] 19 Bayesian Methods Widespread in February Issue of TAS Director of Strategic Initiatives and Outreach Donna LaLonde: [email protected] 19 Articles Wanted for Significance Writing Competition Director of Education 20 Proposed Procedures to Determine Whether ASA Makes Rebecca Nichols: [email protected] Public Statement on Policy-Related Issues: Call for Comments Managing Editor 21 ASA Signs on as Host of JMM 2022 Megan Murphy: [email protected] 22 My ASA Story: Kelly Zou Editor and Content Strategist Val Nirala: [email protected] 23 ASA, COPAFS, Partners Urge Bolstering of Federal Advertising Manager Statistical Agencies Joyce Narine: [email protected] 28 Caucus for Women in Statistics Celebrates 50 Years Production Coordinators/Graphic Designers Olivia Brown: [email protected] 30 Celebrating Women in Statistics and Data Science Megan Ruyle: [email protected]

Contributing Staff Members Naomi Friedman • Kim Gilliam • Elizabeth Henry • Rick Peterson

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 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 in graphics file formats only (.jpg, etc.), minimum 300 dpi. No material in WordPerfect will be accepted. Amstat News (ISSN 0163-9617) is published monthly by the American Statistical Association, 732 North Washington Street, Alexandria VA 22314- 1943 USA. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, Virginia, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Amstat News, 732 → PAGE 30 North Washington Street, Alexandria VA 22314-1943 USA. Send Canadian 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 columns News is the member publication of the ASA. For annual membership rates, see www.amstat.org/join or contact ASA Member Services at (888) 231-3473. American Statistical Association 34 STATS4GOOD 732 North Washington Street New Federal Data Policies and the Impact of Data for Good Alexandria, VA 22314–1943 USA (703) 684–1221 This column is written for those interested in learning about the world of Data for ASA GENERAL: [email protected] Good, where statistical analysis is dedicated to good causes that benefit our lives, ADDRESS CHANGES: [email protected] our communities, and our world. If you would like to know more or have ideas for AMSTAT EDITORIAL: [email protected] articles, contact David Corliss at [email protected]. ADVERTISING: [email protected] WEBSITE: http://magazine.amstat.org Printed in USA © 2021 American Statistical Association 36 STATtr@k COVID-19 Job Search Tips for Early-Career Data Scientists, Analytics Pros STATtr@k is a column in Amstat News and a website geared toward people who are in a statistics program, recently graduated from a statistics program, or recently ® entered the job world. To read more articles like this one, visit the website at The American Statistical Association is the world’s largest http://stattrak.amstat.org. If you have suggestions for future articles, or would like community of statisticians. The ASA supports excellence in to submit an article, please email Megan Murphy, Amstat News managing editor, at the development, application, and dissemination of statistical [email protected]. science through meetings, publications, membership services, education, accreditation, and advocacy. Our members serve in industry, government, and academia in more than 90 countries, advancing research and promoting sound statistical practice to inform public policy and improve human welfare. Practical Significance | Episode 2: How to Become a JEDI! In a mindful and reflective response to the Black Lives Matter movement, the ASA committed itself to driving cultural change. It formed the ASA Anti-Racism Task Force to better align the association’s leadership, organizational structure, ODCAST policies, practices, membership, and outreach efforts and to P provide guidance on how the responsible use of statistics can advance racial justice by becoming more anti-racist. With an eye to the future, the association also created an outreach group to address justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). Hosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein welcome to the podcast those leading the charge for the Anti-Racism Task Force: co-chairs Adrian Coles and David A. Marker. These leaders share their perspectives, what they hope to accomplish, and the challenges that lie ahead. Additionally, they each recommend important reads on this complex issue. Also featured are JEDI Outreach Group (JEDI OG) Chair Kim PRACTICAL SIGNIFICANCE Sellers and Past Chair Julia Sharp. Kim and Julia discuss the scope and mission of the JEDI OG and its commitment to identifying and overcoming systemic racism and hindering biases in statistics and data science. They also emphasize the need for member involvement to move the mission forward. Listen in on how to become a JEDI and get involved (bit.ly/2ZtCPmV)! Download the podcast from the Amstat News website at bit.ly/PracticalSig2 and listen today!

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2 amstat news march 2021 president's corner

Stretching Your Creativity—Yoga for the Mind; Yoda for the Heart reetings, fellow statisticians! I write to you generating inferences at first glance. More gener- from Austin in the midst of the Texas ally, you should know I like to intertwine disparate weather/utilities disaster. I consider myself ideas and concepts just for the fun of it and to see if Glucky for not having lost power, even though water the combinations can be used as the genesis of new service has been out in my neighborhood for days. insight. In this instance, I seek to connect the dots Fortunately, there is plenty of snow to harvest—at between a fishing trip, a SXSW festival, the movie least for the next 24 hours—and we have a modest Star Wars, and, of course, our beloved field of statistics. supply of drinking water stored. I was on a fishing trip about a decade ago that I’ve kept in touch with my statistician friends required a two-hour drive along Florida’s Emerald Rob Santos in Texas and, like most Texans, many are suffering Coast. I tuned in to an NPR program that focused from this catastrophe. Thank you to all who have on the life of Steve Jobs, a fascinating tale of creativ- checked on my situation through this challenging ity and dreams that unfolded with each mile I trav- period. We will survive. Please send good thoughts eled. Jobs was a visionary who aspired to create tech- and wishes to us all. The restoration of utilities is nology that was not just of highly technical utility, one thing, but recovering from the trauma caused by but visually beautiful, ergonomically functional, and power or water issues for days and potentially weeks ubiquitous in culture and society globally. His vision is quite another. As I said in my last President’s germinated at a time when computers were visually a Corner, these are the times we must dip into our metallic mess and hard to learn and navigate. personal resilience reservoirs, and we should remem- For Jobs, a superior technological product was ber to help others to fill theirs. necessary but not sufficient. In addition to user- Now, how about a story that might help you become friendly and visually appealing attributes, the prod- a better statistician? It’s about “thinking differently.” uct’s performance and utility had to capture the A few years back, I challenged myself to some- hearts and minds of consumers. The latter is why thing completely bonkers. I wanted to challenge my huge media events preceded new product releases. creativity, so I sought to intermingle ideas that had (Recall the controversial 1984 Superbowl sledge- nothing to do with statistics, research methods, or hammer commercial and the buzz it created.)

march 2021 amstat news 3 Interestingly, Jobs really wasn’t as much of a tech- Yes, it’s absolutely fun, but it also provides great nical computer geek as he was a brilliant designer, fodder for what ‘can be’ in our own statistical dis- visionary, and marketer. ciplines. The exposure to all those novel approaches Reflecting on that warm afternoon winter drive, has always sparked ideas about how our community it occurred to me that even our own statistical com- might better leverage statistics and new technology munity could benefit from cool ideas that transcend to conduct research and gain insights in ways that conventional thinking. So, I asked myself, “How can are different from classical quantitative statistical we stoke the idea factory within ourselves as statisti- methods on which we routinely rely. cians, as well as within the ASA and our broader Returning to a focus on creativity, keep in mind statistical community?” There is at least a modicum that creative ideas can emerge anywhere and at any of visionary dreamer inside everyone! And that leads time if we can only keep ourselves receptive to them. me to offer you some thoughts catalyzing creativity. Try it sometime. Join me in removing your blinders I’ve often contemplated how visionaries go about to the world around you. For instance, there are so developing their wild and crazy ideas. I posit that it many aspects of the survey research industry that sometimes results from cross-fertilization by being deserve creative solutions—the increasing difficulty exposed to other disciplines. Guess what? We stat- of conducting probability sample surveys, the pro- isticians often “play in other disciplines’ backyards.” liferation of data collected from nonprobability That puts us in a propitious position to leverage our methods, the utility of big data to gain insights. And own creativity in how we approach and contribute this represents only a select few of the issues facing to statistical problems of the day. survey research, a small subset of our larger, diverse My area of expertise is survey research. I recall statistical community. In the survey world, some of the market research world routinely conducted these problems seemed intractable a few years ago— focus groups in the 1980s, long before the survey for instance, how to draw statistical inference from research world developed a theoretical framework nonprobability surveys. Yet through creative appli- to incorporate them into the process of survey ques- cation of statistical theory, new frameworks have tion development. Turns out a method long used by been developed that explore how statistical infer- one industry had a useful application in another. We ences can be drawn. just had to think about the methodology differently One way to think about developing creative solu- to realize that. tions to seemingly intractable problems is to consid- More generally, creative ideas can emerge from er the infamous exchange between Luke Skywalker everyday experiences such as child care (children can and Yoda in Star Wars: “[Luke:] I can’t believe it. ask the most provocative questions), but also from [Yoda:] That is why you fail.” Failure need not be an activities such as hobbies, ‘play time,’ or other per- option when your statistical toolbox includes cre- sonal entertainment. For instance, as many of you ative thinking. already know, I am a longtime member of the photo Finally, if, like me, you believe in the power of crew for the SXSW Festival, which occurs annually creativity to help make yourself a more effective stat- in Austin, Texas. I photo-shoot the SXSW Music istician, then please note it is precisely an openness Festival and SXSW EDU; it affords a great oppor- to new ideas and perspectives that lies at the core tunity to legitimately snoop around the plethora of making the statistics community and our society of events, including panel sessions of highly suc- more diverse, inclusive, and equitable. Being cre- cessful entrepreneurs, singer-songwriters, gaming ative and being open to and valuing different per- creators, and entertainment production executives; spectives, cultures, and people represent two sides of keynote speeches by visionaries such as Astro Teller the same coin. So, let’s allow ourselves the space and of Google X and Bill Gates; and hands-on testing of time to brainstorm our own creative solutions to the the latest advances in electronic technologies. It also problems facing our statistical community and soci- features intellectually challenging and fun events ety. Sweet dreams, everyone! such as hackathons.

4 amstat news march 2021 ASA Members Give Despite

Trying Times SOCIETY Amanda Malloy, ASA Director of Development Thank you to Helen Walker Society members, who have demonstrated their commitment to the practice and profession of e all know what 2020 was like. It affected statistics through annual donations of $1,000 or more. each of us in different John Abowd Elizabeth J. Kelly and Barry D. Nussbaum Wways. Many of us became profi- Robert D. Ryne cient at video calls and even Stan Altan Robert T. O’Neill Arthur B. Kennickell learned cool new tricks like using John Angle Van L. Parsons virtual backgrounds and studio Malloy Jon and Patricia features. (Did you know you can Alfred Balch Kettenring Eva Petkova add virtual lipstick or a mustache to yourself during a Zoom call?) We learned to socialize while being David Banks Thian Kheoh Dionne Price socially distant, do our jobs remotely—either iso- Christopher Barker Eileen and Dennis King Paula K. Roberson lated or vying for space with other members of the household—and how to “smile with our eyes” since Mary Ellen Bock Michael H. Kutner Frank W. Rockhold the rest of our faces were covered. Patrick Cantwell James Rosenberger Despite all the difficulty and adjustments, ASA Mary Kwasny members came together to raise nearly $224,000 Alicia Carriquiry Nan Laird John Sall in support of ASA programs. Thank you to each of the 932 individuals who donated. Every. John Czajka Donna E. LaLonde Robert Santos Dollar. Matters. Marie Davidian James M. Landwehr Jaya Satagopan It has perhaps never been more important to: • Provide resources and training to K–12 teach- Richard De Veaux Lisa LaVange Fritz Scheuren ers so they can show their students how fun Susan and Jonas Cynthia Long and John Larry Z. Shen and important statistics is in daily life. Ellenberg Stites Ann and Frank Shen • Advocate for our federal statistical agencies, Kathy Ensor Wendy L. Martinez the statistics profession, and statisticians and Stephen Simon data scientists around the world. We must Justin Fisher Robert Mason make sure our government is making deci- William and Patricia sions based on sound data. Christine Franklin Madhu Mazumdar Smith • Provide workshops and other resources to the Richard Goldstein Laura Meyerson Steven M. Snapinn media to help them learn how to report on stories that include data and statistics. Susan Halabi Katherine Monti Theresa L. Utlaut • Cultivate the next generation of leaders in sta- Harold S. Haller Carolyn Morgan Jessica M. Utts tistics and data science through scholarships, Susan Harris David Morganstein Sean Walker professional development, and mentoring opportunities. Brian Harris-Kojetin Sally C. Morton Ron and Sherry Wasserstein Your donations go a long way in making these ini- Allen H. Heller Jeri Metzger Mulrow tiatives possible. n Leland Wilkinson Barry Johnson Edward J. Mulrow Linda J. Young Lee D. Kaiser Bengt Muthen Bing Zhang Daniel Kasprzyk Ed and Anna Nevius

march 2021 amstat news 5 $500 to $999 James E. Breneman William C. Bridges Jr. Joel Alstein Richard K. Burdick Christy Chuang-Stein Bart Burington B. Christine Clark Jeff Buzas Andrew Joseph Cucchiara Robert H. Carver Peter Gaccione Aki N. Caszatt Joseph Gastwirth Ivan S.F. Chan Sat Gupta Jie Chen Mark Harris Tom Chittenden Xuming He David H. Collins Susan M. Hinkins Jamie Elizabeth Collins Nicholas Horton and Julia Riseman Vera-Anne V. Corwin Peter Imrey Bruce Craig Dallas Johnson Dana Creanga Ji-Hyun Lee Paul N. DeLand James M. Lepkowski Chunqin C. Q. Deng Jerry Moreno Janice Derr Margaret A. Nemeth Jay L. Devore Leonard Oppenheimer Marie Diener-West Keith Ord Rositsa Borislavova Dimova THANK Jane Pendergast Philip M. Dixon Barbara Robles Fred C. Djang Paul Schmidbauer Rebecca W. Doerge David W. Scott Kevin Ward Drummey Marilyn Seastrom Harold Dyck Carol B. Thompson Brenda Kay Edwards Naisyin Wang Abie Ekangaki G. David Williamson Stephen Elston YOUto everyone who Sarah and Richard ZinK Patricia A. English Robert E. Fay $100 to $499 Ben George Fitzpatrick donated in 2020! Robert A. Agnew Jack Follis David B. Allison Peter Gaccione Arlene S. Ash Martha Gardner Taka Ashikaga Matthias Gehrke Jonathan Auerbach Mark Glickman John Bailer Melody Goodman Valbona Bejleri Nancy Gordon Amit Bhattacharyya Jamie J. Grady Robert H. Bigelow Steven Grambow Herbert L. Bishop Jr. Gerry W. Gray Claire McKay Bowen Timothy A. Green John E. Boyer Don Guthrie Adam Branscum Charles B. Hall Matt Brems Alexandra Hanlon William V. Harper

6 amstat news march 2021 *Additionally, 249 donors made anonymous gifts Frank E. Harrell Jr. George McCabe William D. Heavlin Leslie McClure Richard Heiberger John McKenzie Memorial Gifts William F. Heiland Donald J. McMahon Gifts were made in fondest memory of the following individuals: Sharon A. C. Hessney Kenneth McRae John C. Angle Jr. Bob Hogg C. Stephen Ray Milton C. Heuston Cyrus Mehta Alberto G. Canchola David Hurst Swayam P. Srivastava and NS Venkatesan James A. Himelein Jr. Michael Meredith Kathryn Chaloner Gum-Seon Kang and Seok-Ki Lee Sandy West Klaus Hinkelmann Renee H. Miller Jackie Dietz John P. Holcomb Jr. Lingzi Lu Mark Wimett George A. Milliken Stephen E. Feinberg Jeffrey H. Hooper Katherine L. Monti Robert Newcomb Mike Hamada Michael M. Ikeda Walter Morgan Marian Nichols Bernard Harris Andrew Kenneth Jacobs Motomi Mori and Stephen Ingram Olkin Prag Gerald S. Heller Nusrat Jahan Arline Nakanishi Don Jang Elliott Nebenzahl Ananda Jayawardhana Wayne B. Nelson Tribute Gifts Daniel Jeske Gifts were made in honor of the following: Rebecca Nichols Booil Jo Office of Biostatistics, Steve Lagakos Tom Short Isaac Nuamah Sin-Ho Jung Center for Drug Evalua- Regina Nuzzo tion and Research, FDA Wendy Martinez Ron Wasserstein Henry Kahn and the ASA Staff Laurence O’Connell Steve Pierson Sarah J. Kalicin ASA San Francisco Zhiying Zhong Bob Oster Chapter Anamaria Segnini Kazanis Ken Prewitt George Ostrouchov George Cobb David J. Kenny Lynn Richardson Mark Otto Mimi Kim William Panak STATKING Clinical Services Robert P. Parker Gary G. Koch Mack C. Shelley II Tore Wentzel-Larsen Gil Peach Uwe Koehn Richard Sigman Brady West Jose C. Pinheiro Henry A. Kranendonk Miles Edward Simpson Andrew A. White Darwin H. Poritz Thomas A. Krizanosky Joan Skurnick Glenn D. White Jr. Dale Preston Brenda Kurland Brian W. Sloboda Jean F. Williams David Pyne Robert Kushler Robert D. Small Haviland Wright Nusrat Rabbee Carol Lancaster Marjolein V. Smith Bin Yu Rose M. Ray Jodi Lapidus Richard L. Smith Yonggang Zhao Bill Reichmann Gene Laska Jeffrey A. Smith Lihui Zhao Dale Allan Rhoda Xin Li Ed Sondik David Marker Martin G. Ribe Dennis K. J. Lin Nancy L. Spruill Winston A. Richards Roderick J. Little Robert R. Starbuck < $100 John Rogers Stephen W. Looney Charles Leslie Strecker Ralph Lawrence Ades Charles M. Rowland Thomas Louis David W. Sullivan Waleed Almutiry V.A. Samaranayake Thomas E. Love Ming T. Tan Andrew D. Althouse Serap Sankoh Ruixiao Lu Daniel Joseph Tancredi Sarah B. Alvarez-Horine Abdul J. Sankoh Haijun Ma Ronald A. Thisted Philip J. Ambrosini Christopher Schmid Greg Maislin Hoben Thomas Roya Amjadi John Schoenfelder Amanda Malloy Daniel Ray Thompson Steven Matthew Anderson John D. Schoolfield Neela D. Manage David J. Thomson Masakazu Ando Jack Schuenemeyer Dennis R. Mar Steve P. Verrill Alexander Andronov Julia L. Sharp Olga V. Marchenko Donna L. Watts Gerald K. Arnold Mohammed A. Shayib Cristiana Mayer Thomas A. Wellington Steve Ascher

march 2021 amstat news 7 Jana Lynn Asher Michael P. Cohen Andreas Vasilios Georgiou Yuan Ji Henry T. Bahnson III Mike Collins Hanna Gerlovin Xinwei Daniel Jia Robert S. Baker Jason Connor Robert Gerwien Wenhua Jiang Sudipto Banerjee Charles F. Contant Jr. Elizabeth R. Gieseking Ann Elizabeth Jochens Jarrett Jay Barber John Craycroft Brenda Wilson Gillespie Kjell D. Johnson Ramiro Barrantes-Reynolds Kate Crespi Thomas Gollery Timothy Johnson Ronald P. Barry Andrea Cullinen William M. Goodman Kristi Johnson Saonli Basu Harry Michael Cullings Mary W. Gray Gary R. Johnson Paul Baum Erika L. Cunningham Joel B. Greenhouse Brian P. Johnson Sam Behseta Francis Charles Dane John Vic Grice Michael Johnston Alvin Beltramo Nairanjana Dasgupta Emily and Eric Griffith Elisha Johnston Alan E. Berger Eric J. Daza Michael John Grosskopf Monica Johnston Richard Bergmann Wei Deng James L. Hall Nina Kajiji L. Mark Berliner Adam Dixon T. Simin Hall John D. Kalbfleisch Lindsay Berry Kevin K. Dobbin Ke Han Alexis Kassan Riddhiman Bhattacharya Travis Dockter Stefan M. Hantel William Hartley Kazanis Utpal Kumar Bhattacharya Rickie J. Domangue Johanna S. Hardin Stephine Keeton Julia L. Bienias Stephen Richard Donaldson E. James Harner John David Keighley Nicole Blackman Joel Dubin Janice Hartgrove-Freile Stephen James Kelley Matthew Byron Blagburn Susan (Duke) Mayo Bradley A. Hartlaub Theresa Kim and Nathan Parrish Carol Joyce Blumberg Bonnie P. Dumas Matt Hayat John Knorr Ricardo Bolado Lili Dumelle Donald R. Hedeker Nanci Kopecky Charlotte Allison Bolch Will Eagan Albert Noble Hendrix Melissa Kovacs Gabriele Booth Keith Eberhardt Ann Hess Joseph M. Krisanda Tobia Boschi Ed Ekpoudom Elizabeth Goodwin Hill Laura Salter Kubatko Mary Shannon Bradley Hans Engler Susan G. Hilsenbeck Lee E. Kucera Ed Brizendine Leonardo David Epstein David C. Hoaglin Karel Kupka Lyle D. Broemeling Lauren Erickson Bruce R. Hochberg Luca La Rocca Nancy E. Brucken Tim Erickson David Hoeflin Margaret F. Land Norman Bush Ethan Ertel Susanne S. Hoeppner Jerald F. Lawless Patricia L. Busk Linda Noble Espahbodi Frederick K. Holdbrook Anna Legedza Allen B. Buxton Mark A. Espeland David J. Holtschlag Eric S. Leifer Howard J. Cabral Marina Espinasse Yili Hong Larry F. Leon Kevin C. Cain David B. Farrar Sarah Hopson Sally A. Lesik Jesse Canchola Victor A. Farutin Merrell I. Hora Craig Lewis Christopher Carbone Alan H. Feiveson Welling C. Howell Jr. Gang Li Rachel A. Caspar Gilbert W. Fellingham Mo Huang Jia Li Vittorio Castelli Elma Zannatul Ferdousy John Hunter Juanjuan Li Grace Chan Lindsay Fitzgerald-DeHoog Kristen Brooke Hunter Ming Li Subrata Chatterjee Richard Forshee Yoichi Ii Ruitao Lin Edmond Cheng Ronald D. Fricker Jr. Thomas W. Ilvento Hai Lin Laura M. Chihara Michel James Friesenhahn Tasha R. Inniss Ernst Linder Codruta C. Chiuzan Pingfu Fu Lurdes Y. T. Inoue Nianjun Liu Su Bang Choe Neal Fultz Philip W. Iversen Changying Angela Liu Krishna Kiran Chotneeru Bobby L. Gaddis William C. Iwig Gang Liu Ashley Clark David R. Gagnon William E. Jackson III Alejandra Cristina Livingston Robert P. Clickner Daniel Mark Gaichas Peter Jaehnig Clifford Long David R. Cline Nora L. Galambos Imededdine Jerbi D. Leann Long

8 amstat news march 2021 Charlotte Looby Jennifer D. Parker Sourav Santra Gong Tang Shiao-Ping Lu Sharon M. Passe Roger M. Sauter Jeremy M. G. Taylor Timothy Lutz Paul L. Patterson III Alassane Savadogo Theodore Theoharis Jennifer H. Madans Raymond C. Peck Sanjaya Kumar Saxena Yves Thibaudeau Carole J. Makela Elton Pedersen Jonathan Scott Schildcrout Bonnie Arlene Thiel Dalisay S. Maligalig Edsel A. Pena Steven Schwager Sally W. Thurston Binod Manandhar Gene Anthony Pennello Stanley L. Sclove Lauren Ting Lloyd A. Mancl Lori A. Perine Michael A. Seaman Vincent Tirolo Jr. Elizabeth Mannshardt Edward B. Perrin Stephen J. Senn Margot H. Tollefson Hossein G. Mansouri Eswar G. Phadia Venkatraman E. Seshan Tammy Tom Elizabeth H. Margosches Charles C. Phelps III Lynne Seymour Hsiao-Hui Sophie Tsou Angel R. Martinez Luigi Pieri Nagambal Shah Hiroe Tsubaki Morris L. Marx Steve Pierson Mohammad Shakil Nathaniel Tymes Jr. Michele Masuda Joseph G. Pigeon Birgit Shanholtzer Anya Umlauf Kathleen M. McDonald-Johnson Robert H. Podolsky J. Michael Shaughnessy Esa Ilkka Uusipaikka Richard James McIlwain Martha Pohl Patrick E. Shrout Jeffrey E. Vaks Phoebe McLaughlin Josh Wentworth Walden Jianfen Shu Zachary Thomas Vaskalis Pohlkamp-Hartt Rebecca B. McNeil Satya R.K. Siddani Timothy W. Victor Elena Polverejan Linda Jansen McWilliams Eric R. Siegel R. Lakshmi Vishnuvajjala Dawn C. Porter Grace Medley Danny Silitonga Weining Volinn Mohsen Pourahmadi Anne R. Meibohm Pedro Luis Do Nascimento Silva Carl Norwood von Ende Karen L. Price Karen Messer Susan Simmons Brandie D. Wagner Louis H. Primavera Jacqueline J. Meulman Brandy R. Sinco Garth Wales Philip C. Prorok Mark John Meyer Michelle Sisto Roger Walker William Robert Prucka William L. Mietlowski Charilaos Skiadas Dennis E. Walsh Enayetur M. Raheem Mary-Jane Mietlowski Martin Peter Slawski Xinlei Wang Ray Redd Steven P. Millard Che L. Smith Shikun Wang Carol K. Redmond David H. Moen David McCulloch Smith Michael T. Weaver Harrison T. Reeder Tracy Mohr Robert E. Smith James S. Weber Perla Reyes Marta Eugenia Moisa Stephanie A. Smullen Peter H. Westfall James Rippee Geert Molenberghs Gerardo Soto-Campos Michael O’Kane Whelan Linda Mary Ritchie Doug Morris Thomas C. Spavins James P. Whipple Edwin L. Robison Nobuhle Mpofu Susan E. Spruill Linda C. Whitehand Russell H. Roegner Yi Mu William J. Stager Rebecca Wong Dale S. Rogers Chen Mu Nancy Stambler Wayne Woo Michael Rollins Jinjian Mu John Staudenmayer Bin Xing Sheila Rosenberg Terrence E. Murphy Marco Steenbergen Robert Peter Yerex Alan Roshwalb Charles B. Nam W. Robert Stephenson Lisa H. Ying Atul N. Roy Damian Ndiwago Susan LeRoy Stewart Marian Y. Y. Yong Stephen Ruberg Ronald Charles Neath John M. Stickler Duo Yu Estelle Russek-Cohen Cherie A. Ochsenfeld Thomas Stuckey Yuxin Zhang Mary Margaret Ryan Walt Offen Guoqin Su Hongmei Zhang Karen Sabharwal Thomas H. Oliphant Gary R. Sullivan Yichi Zhang Leah E. Sahely Steve Olson Michael Sullivan III Yanhong Zhou Alan J. Salzberg James O’Malley David A. Swanson Yuxin Zhu Jayashree Sampath Yusuke Ono Ruth Ellen Swanton Jin Zhu n William Ellery Samuels Edgar A. Ortiz Dionne Swift Susan M. Sanchez Ian Thomas Parke Edward J. Tabone Jr.

march 2021 amstat news 9 2 21 BOARD ELECTIONS ASA Board of Directors 2022 CANDIDATES BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT-ELECT 2022

David Williamson US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

t’s still “Communication, com- direct the scientific and adminis- them into vibrant roles, hear munication, communication!” trative roles of ASA president. what all our members want/ In 2016, I wrote, “It’s Though circumstances may need, and be responsive. Icommunication, communica- shift priorities, the following • Increase statistical impact. tion, communication!” into my ones demand our most attention: Let’s continue our com- candidacy statement for ASA • Enhance the value of ASA mitment to the Leadership vice president because each of the membership. Growing up Institute to give our mem- ASA’s priorities and the statistics in the south and seeing bers the tools they need profession’s challenges/oppor- segregated water fountains to be successful and to the tunities can be addressed more as a youngster ingrained in Impact Initiative to raise effectively with enhanced com- me a commitment to equal- awareness of the positive munication. This was reinforced ity and justice for all, and impacts the field has already the last five years as I served I commend and commit contributed to and in areas three years as ASA vice president to the ASA’s Anti-Racism where the promise for and on the Board of Directors, Task Force and the Justice, impact is present. was liaison for 20+ ASA com- Equity, Diversity, and • Be proactive in data mod- mittees, served as chair of the Inclusion (JEDI) Outreach ernization efforts. We must Membership and Professional Group to ensure all ASA continue to engage at the Issues and Visibility councils, and members are treated respect- highest levels on big data/ as I continue to direct the ASA’s fully/fairly and have opportunities to contribute to and data modernization to best Statistical Impact Task Force. leverage data access, use, These experiences, plus my scien- lead the ASA. We need to strive to increase the number and analysis in, for example, tific leadership of complex stud- of minorities and students responses to emergencies ies at CDC, position me well to in the ASA and incorporate such as COVID-19.

10 amstat news march 2021 2 21 BOARD ELECTIONS

The ASA announces the candidates for the 2021 election. Voting begins March 30 and goes until May 1. Make sure to look for your ballots in your email inbox.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT-ELECT 2022

Dionne Price US Food and Drug Administration

he year 2020 will not be Although much time has passed, principles are applied to drive dis- forgotten. We grappled there remains a need to increase covery and inform decisions. with a pandemic, social awareness of our profession. Adaptability: In drug Tinjustices, and natural disasters. Moreover, many are not mem- development, adaptive designs Our expertise equipped us to bers of the ASA. There is a need allow for modifications to clin- address these problems, and our to highlight and broaden the ical trials. Like these designs, humanity caused us to reflect on value of membership such that we need to continue to evalu- our inclusiveness. I felt pride we continue to grow and have ate where we need to make about our contributions, and I influence across diverse areas, modifications to keep pace was encouraged by our commit- and we must ensure our collec- with contemporary questions ment to diversity, equity, and tive awareness and engagement and movements. We must also inclusion (DEI). It is with this around DEI. continue to play an active role pride that I am excited to be a Advocacy: Throughout 2020, in science policy to ensure our candidate for ASA president. I data was paramount to critical value is not diminished. believe a continued focus on decisions. As such, we must con- Awareness, advocacy, and awareness, advocacy, and adapt- tinue to ensure that statistics are adaptability are essential to our ability are imperative. Please visit properly used to answer questions future. The privilege of leading www.dionneforasapresident.net. of interest. This will require com- the ASA in partnership with all Awareness: While an under- munication, education, and advo- members would be an honor. graduate, an internship exposed cacy for sound statistical science. me to the impact of statisti- We must critically evaluate how to cians and set me on the path best lead, engage, and collabo- to becoming a statistician. rate to guarantee that statistical

march 2021 amstat news 11 2 21 BOARD ELECTIONS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS VICE PRESIDENT 2022–2024

Nick Horton Amherst College

f elected, I would focus my 2. Build on efforts to ensure power of statistics to ensure that efforts on aspects of visibility that the profession is diverse science is on a solid foundation. of the profession, diversify- and inclusive and to fos- Through my prior work on the ingI the profession, and extend- ter the success of those ASA Undergraduate Guidelines ing our ongoing research and that have been histori- Group and several data sci- education efforts. cally underrepresented and ence education initiatives of the As the world’s largest commu- underappreciated National Academies, I see the nity of statisticians, the American 3. Work to make statistical explosive growth of interest and Statistical Association plays a key careers more attractive and enrollments in statistics and data role in the development, applica- increase the visibility of the science. There are critical aspects tion, and dissemination of statis- discipline in areas of science, of statistical thinking and practical methods and practice. At a government, and business tice that are needed for effective time when data are increasingly that rely on data data science. The expansion of used to make decisions, this is a our programs provides an oppor- wonderful time to be a statisti- 4. Prepare statisticians for tunity for us to help ensure that cian. But there are a number of success by continuing to statisticians are not left behind internal and external challenges transform statistics and data while other fields define the field. science education at the sec- and opportunities that we face as ondary and university levels a profession. As vice president, I would work to promote the I work as an applied practice and profession of statis- biostatistician on a variety of tics in the following ways: biomedical and behavioral research projects. These experi- 1. Help ensure that statistics is at the core of data science ences have demonstrated the

12 amstat news march 2021 2 21 BOARD ELECTIONS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS VICE PRESIDENT 2022–2024

David Banks Duke University

ack in December, Ron to address it. Partly in response profession over many, many Wasserstein, the ASA to the murder of George Floyd, decades. But there has never director, sent all the can- but also for many other good been an ASA president with didatesB for the ASA Board his reasons, the ASA has launched that heritage, and too few board assessment of the strengths and an anti-racism task force, JEDI members. I think this lack is an challenges our association faces. Outreach, where JEDI stands embarrassing oversight. Many are longstanding: Our for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and This is supposed to be a can- membership is flat at a time Inclusion. I am proud to be part didate statement. So, if elected, when we should be expanding; of an organization that takes this I shall advocate for the nomina- we are struggling to define our- issue on. And I am proud to see tion of well-qualified Chinese selves in the context of data sci- that two of the candidates on this statisticians to leadership roles ence and machine learning; the year’s slate for the ASA Board are in the ASA. And to avoid the business model for journal publi- African American. We need that. unseemly taint of identity poli- cation is changing under our But I am also disappointed tics, I hope the ASA Committee feet. Those who know me know that none of this year’s candidates on Nominations will have the I have informed ideas about all of is of Chinese descent. Our field wisdom to select two people of these topics. is filled with eminently qualified Chinese descent to run against One issue was new, and I want Chinese statisticians who have each other for the office of ASA to use this very public forum made huge contributions to our president. It is long overdue.

march 2021 amstat news 13 2 21 BOARD ELECTIONS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS COUNCIL OF SECTIONS REPRESENTATIVE 2022–2024

Michelle Shardell University of Maryland School of Medicine

s many of us continue to Data Science is a key initiative. sexual harassment, assault, and work at home, the ASA As a Biometrics Section Outreach racism and [create] groups that has expanded its service Award recipient, I also aim to promote justice, equity, diversi- toA our professional community. promote our profession among ty, and inclusion are key agents As a scientist, educator, and students at 2- and 4-year colleges. to this end. Meeting this goal active member in ASA sections Interest in statistics and data also requires that we listen to and the Statistical Partnerships science has increased, but ASA professionals who are part of Among Academe, Industry, and and section membership have underrepresented groups, but Government (SPAIG) not. To find out why, we must not yet ASA members. Committee, I am poised to con- engage statistics and data science We must identify how the tribute to this service as an ASA professionals who are not ASA ASA can be a welcoming profes- Board of Directors Council of or section members. As part of sional home for all statisticians Sections Governing Board rep- SPAIG, I have promoted ASA and data scientists. The long- resentative. It is an honor to be sections’ value by highlighting term goal is a strong community considered for this role. section collaborations. I also aim that serves society via statistical This past year, the ASA to identify the needs of profes- best practices. Thank you for responded to the challenges sionals who have yet to find a considering me for the privilege of COVID-19 and the 2020 home in the ASA. of serving on the ASA Board of Census, which exemplify the The ASA community is Directors. I am enthusiastic to need for statistical rigor and pro- strengthened by diversity. To contribute toward community vide opportunities to enhance realize this strength, we must and collaboration both within the visibility and future of our remove bias as a barrier to par- and beyond the ASA. profession. K–6 Statistics and ticipation. ASA efforts to prevent

14 amstat news march 2021 2 21 BOARD ELECTIONS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS COUNCIL OF SECTIONS REPRESENTATIVE 2022–2024

Mulugeta Gebregziabher Medical University of South Carolina

am honored to be nominat- elected, I will bring global/local those programs and hence, if ed for the Council of perspectives that contribute to elected, I would like to help in Sections Governing Board the diversity of views needed to their growth. representativeI to the ASA be impactful in today’s world. I joined the ASA in 2004 and Board of Directors. I am excit- In recent years, the ASA has have benefited from membership ed by the opportunity to con- boldly and impactfully taken an via its career building trainings, tribute to the betterment of the anti-racism stand in addition to world-class conferences, and, ASA and its sections. the many activities of advocacy more importantly, the people Through my leadership and on issues that directly impact that I meet through all the net- service experience in academia, humanity. These issues are working opportunities that the ASA sections, and ASA chap- closer to the hearts of all ASA ASA provides. I have served the ters, I am familiar with the members and hence I pledge ASA community in different opportunities and challenges to contribute to increasing the capacities, which provided me the ASA faces in its endeavors ASA’s impact in this area. The with understanding of the ASA to contribute to the growth professional development pro- and its operations. As a faculty and recognition of the science grams, including mentoring for [member] who is originally from of statistics in education, prac- junior and underrepresented Africa and with interests in both tice, and research. The ASA minorities, are something that local and global research and brings together statisticians and I would like to advocate [for] education, I will serve the ASA students from across the world and see grow. I am personally community by bringing a unique and provides a voice to advocate grateful for the positive impact perspective. collectively on matters of funda- the ASA has had on my career It’s my honor to ask you to mental importance to society. If through my participation in vote for me!

march 2021 amstat news 15 2 21 BOARD ELECTIONS BOARD OF DIRECTORS COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS REPRESENTATIVE (REGION 2) 2022–2024 Kendra Schmid University of Nebraska Medical Center

t is an honor to be nominated awed by the amazing work done creatively of solutions and ideas to serve as the Board of by the staff and an organization to address both current issues and Directors Council of that relies so heavily on its mem- issues arising from the pandemic. ChaptersI representative for bership and volunteers. Over the years, I have benefit- Region 2. I am excited about the If elected, I will work with ed a great deal through my ASA chance to further contribute to other board members to support membership and am enthusiastic the American Statistical the ASA mission and vision and about doing my part to keep a Association and statistics com- implement elements of the strate- strong and vital organization for munity in the role. Over the last gic plan. The recent months have the future of the profession. I am 10 years, I have served at both the brought us all many challenges, grateful to be a member and for local and national levels, for both but with adversity comes incred- all of the rewarding professional chapters and sections, most ible opportunity, and this situa- and personal experiences afforded recently as secretary for the tion is no different. Facing a glob- to me through my membership. I Council of Chapters Governing al pandemic has encouraged us am fully committed to the mis- Board. Through these service all to think outside the box in all sion and strategic plan of the ASA roles and my ASA membership in aspects of our lives. Professional and look forward to the possibil- general, I have seen the great organizations are not immune ity of a new way to contribute. opportunities and possibilities to the effects of the pandemic, that exist because of our chapters and I will use my position on the and sections and am constantly board of directors to help think

Ananda Jayawardhana Pittsburg State University

am honored to be a candidate 5. Improve the statistics educa- diversify the ASA. I was one of for the ASA Board of tion in K–12 the COC members who rejuve- nated the travelling course after Directors representing the 6. Promote chapter or district- CouncilI of Chapters (COC). I being inactive for several years. based activities have been active in our local Since then, the travelling course chapter, bearing all the elected 7. Promote chapters to record has done a tremendous job of positions and then in the COC as their chapter history helping statisticians for their the secretary and chair. This ser- Over the years, lack of com- professional development. More vice of about 15 years has given munication between chapters and and more statisticians are unable me a good perspective of the the COCGB has been a hinder- to attend national meetings, and needs of the chapters from the ance to the progress of chapters. I will promote the ASA to have ASA and vice versa. I will focus on finding ways to more decentralized activities. I If elected, I will fully support the better alignment of chapters and am active with Mu Sigma Rho mission of the ASA, and I will focus the COCGB, motivating chapter Statistics Honorary Society, and on a few goals close to my heart: representatives, and promoting the ASA provides a one-year free student membership to new 1. Enhance the diversity of the more resources and services to the inductees. Through such activi- organization chapters from the COCGB. I have served as the univer- ties, I would like to bring stu- 2. Improve the continued edu- sity representative to the Kansas dents to full membership of the cation opportunities Board of Regents conference on ASA. I will also promote Mu Sigma Rho inductees to join stu- 3. Increase membership diversity for 15 years. I know the value of diversity in an organi- dent chapters of the ASA. I have 4. Increase the visibility of the zation, and I will work hard to participated in Capitol Hill visits. profession

16 amstat news march 2021 2 21 BOARD ELECTIONS ASA 2021 ELECTIONS – CANDIDATE LIST

BAYESIAN STATISTICAL SCIENCE STATISTICAL CONSULTING Publications Chair-Elect 2022 (Rotates to Chair-Elect 2022 Chair-Elect 2022 Publications Chair for 2-Year Term in 2023) David van Dyk, Imperial College London Robyn Ball, The Jackson Laboratory Trevor Hefley, Kansas State University Vanja Dukic, University of Colorado at Boulder Chris Barker, Statistical Planning and Analysis Whitney Huang, Clemson University Services, Inc. Program Chair-Elect 2022 Shing Lee, Columbia University STATISTICS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY David Matteson, Cornell University Chair-Elect 2022 Huiyan Sang, Texas A&M University Secretary/Treasurer 2022–2023 Nandita Mitra, University of Pennsylvania Daniel Zhao, OU Health Sciences Center Publications Officer 2022–2023 Jimmy Efird, Department of Veterans Affairs Terrie Vasilopoulos, University of Florida College of Brenda Betancourt, University of Florida Tyler J. VanderWeele, Harvard University Medicine Tony Pourmohamad, Genentech Program Chair-Elect 2022 Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Michelle Shardell, University of Maryland Jimmy Efird, Cooperative Studies Program Anindya Bhadra, Purdue University Baltimore County Epidemiology Center (VA) Amy Shi, SAS Institute Qing Pan, The George Washington University Rhonda Rosychuk, University of Alberta BIOMETRICS Secretary/Treasurer 2022–2024 Executive Committee at Large 2022–2024 Chair-Elect 2022 Jenna Krall, George Mason University Xiaoming Sheng, University of Utah Sharina Person, University of Massachusetts Mike Baiocchi, Stanford University Charlotte Bolch, Midwestern University Medical School Publications Officer 2022–2023 Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, Virginia STATISTICS AND DATA SCIENCE EDUCATION Yunyun Jiang, The George Washington University Commonwealth University Chair-Elect 2022 Peng Ding, University of California, Berkeley BIOPHARMACEUTICAL Anna Bargagliotti, Loyola Marymount University Chair-Elect 2022 Nathan Tintle, Dordt College STATISTICS IN GENOMICS AND GENETICS Rakhi Kilaru, Pharmaceutical Product Development Chair-Elect 2022 Secretary/Treasurer 2022–2024 Brian A. Millen, Eli Lilly and Company Veera Baladandayuthapani, University of Michigan Jessica Reno, University of New Mexico Nancy Zhang, University of Pennsylvania Program Chair-Elect 2022 Jennifer Broatch, Arizona State University Elena Polverejan, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Program Chair-Elect 2022 Executive Committee at Large 2022–2024 Yun Wang, US Food and Drug Administration Kimberly Siegmund, University of Southern California (two positions) Hao Wu, Emory University Publications Officer 2022–2023 Jennifer Ward, Clark College Hiya Banerjee, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Adam Loy, Carleton College GOVERNMENT STATISTICS Jonathan Moscovici, IQVIA Nick Seewald, University of Michigan Chair-Elect 2022 Fotios Kokkotos, Merrimack College Minsun Riddles, Westat Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Charlotte Bolch, Midwestern University Claire McKay Bowen, Urban Institute Tony Pourmohamad, Genentech Janelle Charles, Pharmaceutical Product STATISTICS IN DEFENSE AND Program Chair-Elect 2022 Development NATIONAL SECURITY Lisa Mirel, US Centers for Disease Control Chair-Elect 2022 and Prevention BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC STATISTICS Joseph Warfield, Johns Hopkins University Applied Doug Williams, Bureau of Labor Statistics Chair-Elect 2022 Physics Lab Tucker McElroy, US Census Bureau STATISTICAL GRAPHICS Nick Clark, United States Military Academy Bart Hobijn, Arizona State University Chair-Elect 2022 Program Chair-Elect 2022 Lucy D’Agostino McGowan, Wake Forest University Program Chair-Elect 2022 Matt Avery, Institute for Defense Analyses Susan Vanderplas, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Xiaofeng Shao, University of Illinois at Jane Pinelis, DoD Joint Artificial Intelligence Center Urbana-Champaign Program Chair-Elect 2022 Omid Ardakani, Georgia Southern University Secretary/Treasurer 2022–2023 Allison Presmanes-Hill, RStudio Kelly Avery, Institute for Defense Analyses Earo Wang, University of Auckland STATISTICAL COMPUTING Victoria Sieck, US Air Force Chair-Elect 2022 Publications Officer 2022–2023 Eric Laber, North Carolina State University Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Kiegan Rice, St. Olaf College Mine Cetinkaya-Rundel, University of Edinburgh Rebecca Medlin, Institute for Defense Analyses Natalia Da Silva, Iowa State University Eric Chicken, Florida State University Program Chair-Elect 2022 Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Ritwak Mitra, AT&T Labs Research STATISTICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT Xiaoyue Cheng, University of Nebraska at Omaha Kun Chen, University of Connecticut Chair-Elect 2022 Stefano Castruccio, University of Notre Dame Bo Li, University of Illinois Secretary/Treasurer 2022–2023 HEALTH POLICY STATISTICS Andrew Finley, Michigan State University Dave Kessler, SAS Institute, Inc. Chair-Elect 2022 Stephen Elston, Quantia Analytics, LLC Program Chair-Elect 2021 Wei Shen, Eli Lilly and Company Ali Arab, Georgetown University Lisa Lix, University of Manitoba Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Eric Gilleland, National Center for Atmospheric Mamunur Rashid, DePauw University Research STATISTICS IN IMAGING Hua Zhou, UCLA Chair-Elect 2022 Treasurer 2022 (Rotates to Secretary in 2023) Ying Guo, Emory University Lyndsay Shand, Sandia National Laboratories Jaroslaw Harezlak, Indiana University Staci Hepler, Wake Forest University Ian Dryden, University of Nottingham

march 2021 amstat news 17 2 21 BOARD ELECTIONS ASA 2021 ELECTIONS – CANDIDATE LIST

Program Chair-Elect 2022 NONPARAMETRIC Program Chair-Elect 2022 Sebastian A. Kurtek, The Ohio State University Chair-Elect 2022 Albert Lee, Virginia Commonwealth University Benjamin Risk, Emory University Chunming Zhang, University of Wisconsin- Yichuan Zhao, Georgia State University Madison STATISTICAL LEARNING AND Zongming Ma, University of Pennsylvania Secretary/Treasurer 2022–2023 DATA SCIENCE Yue Jiang, Duke University Chair-Elect 2022 Program Chair-Elect 2022 Susan Simmons, North Carolina State University Giles Hooker, Cornell University Long Nguyen, University of Michigan Kellie Archer, The Ohio State University Wenceslao Gonzalez Manteiga, University of Publications Officer 2022–2023 Santiago de Compostela Soyoung Jeon, New Mexico State University Program Chair-Elect 2022 Mike Pennell, The Ohio State University Cheryl Brooks, AT&T Labs Treasurer 2022 (Rotates to Secretary in 2023) Rui Song, North Carolina State University Irina Gaynanova, Texas A&M University SOCIAL STATISTICS Bodhi Sen, Columbia University Chair-Elect 2022 Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Stephanie Eckman, RTI International Nusrat Rabbee, Alladapt, Inc. PHYSICAL AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES Jeffrey Gonzalez, USDA Dhuly Chowdhury, RTI International Chair-Elect 2022 Carla B. Medalia, US Census Bureau Ying Hung, Rutgers University LIFETIME DATA SCIENCE Nathaniel Stevens, University of Waterloo Program Chair-Elect 2022 Chair-Elect 2022 Megan Price, Human Rights Data Analysis Group Ingrid Van Keilegom, KU Leuven Program Chair-Elect 2022 Michele Ver Ploeg, The George Washington Grace Yi, University of West Ontario Tony Pourmohamad, Genentech Arman Sabbaghi, Purdue University University Program Chair-Elect 2022 Secretary/Treasurer 2022–2023 Ying Ding, University of Pittsburgh Secretary/Treasurer 2022–2023 Adam Safir, Bureau of Labor Statistics Pamela Shaw, University of Pennsylvania Alex Konomi, University of Cincinnati Emily Casleton, Los Alamos National Laboratory Elizabeth Tipton, Northwestern University Secretary 2022–2024 Tanya Garcia, The University of North Carolina at Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Chapel Hill Erin Leatherman, Kenyon College George Carter, US Department of Housing and Sharon Xie, University of Pennsylvania Xiao Liu, University of Arkansas Urban Development Sharon Stern, US Census Bureau Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 STATISTICAL PROGRAMMERS AND Rui Wang, Harvard University ANALYSTS STATISTICS IN SPORTS Ronghui Xu, University of California, San Diego Chair-Elect 2022 Chair-Elect 2022 Anna Auguste, Cigna STATISTICS IN MARKETING Andrew Swift, University of Nebraska at Omaha Vipin K. Arora, Eli Lilly and Company Chair-Elect 2022 Dale Zimmerman, University of Iowa Hui Lin, Google Program Chair-Elect 2022 Program Chair-Elect 2022 Dan McCarthy, Emory University Maryanne Miller, Eli Lilly and Company Guanyu Hu, University of Missouri – Columbia Program Chair-Elect 2022 Ben Barnard, Wells Fargo Michael Schuckers, St. Lawrence University Kingshuk Roy Choudhury, Amazon Secretary 2022–2023 SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS Elaine Zanutto, Naxion Research and Consulting Manyan Huang, Indiana University Chair-Elect 2022 Treasurer 2022–2023 Luis Mestre, Indiana University Brady West, University of Michigan Duke Chowdhury, University of California, Irvine Treasurer 2022–2023 Dylan Small, University of Pennsylvania Adraine Upshaw, Merkle Jonathan Lisic, Cigna Program Chair-Elect 2022 MEDICAL DEVICES AND DIAGNOSTICS Zeqing Lu, Eli Lilly and Company Pushpal Mukhopadhyay, SAS Institute, Inc. Chair-Elect 2022 Publications Officer 2022–2023 Andreea Erciulescu, Westat Terri Johnson, Edwards Lifesciences Pushpal Mukhopadhyay, SAS Institute, Inc. Secretary 2022–2023 Tracy Bergemann, Medtronic, Plc. Jessica Chen, Eli Lilly and Company Julie Gershunskaya, Bureau of Labor Statistics Program Chair-Elect 2022 Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Qixuan Chen, Columbia University Dandan Xu, US Food and Drug Administration Bill Coar, Axio, a Cytel Company Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Bipasa Biswas, US Food and Drug Administration Michael Anderson, University of Oklahoma Kristen Olson, University of Nebraska at Lincoln Scott Holan, University of Missouri MENTAL HEALTH STATISTICS QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY Chair-Elect 2022 Chair-Elect 2022 TEACHING OF STATISTICS IN THE HEALTH Knashawn Morales, University of Pennsylvania Kim Kaufeld, Los Alamos National Laboratory SCIENCES Susan Shortreed, Kaiser Permanente Washington Sarah Burke, The Perduco Group Chair-Elect 2022 Health Research Institute Maria Ciarleglio, Yale School of Public Health Program Chair-Elect 2022 Program Chair-Elect 2022 Heather Hoffman, The George Washington Caleb King, JMP Christine Mauro, Columbia University University Anne Driscoll, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Donna Coffman, Temple University State University Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Council of Sections Representative 2022–2024 Amy Nowacki, Cleveland Clinic RISK ANALYSIS Samiran Ghosh, Wayne State University Terrie Vasilopoulos, University of Florida n Chair-Elect 2022 Samprit Banerjee, Cornell University Helen Li, Bristol Myers Squibb Hongmei Zhang, University of Memphis

18 amstat news march 2021 THE AMERICAN STATISTICIAN HIGHLIGHTS Bayesian Methods Widespread in February Issue of TAS Joshua M. Tebbs, TAS Editor

he February 2021 issue of The American doing so, the author describes new ways to calculate Statistician (TAS) is available online and fea- finite sums of integers raised to common exponents. tures 13 articles and one letter to the editor. Finally, the Short Technical Note section has one TOne of the benefits of ASA membership is free article. This article revisits the p-value discussion but access to the online issues of TAS. from a Bayesian point of view in the context of per- The General section has six articles. The first uses forming meta-analyses. a known result in time series to revisit the common The February issue concludes with a Letter to practice of estimating posterior expectations from the Editor, which clarifies certain claims made in a MCMC samples. The second implements Bayes hypothesis testing article published last year. factors to test ordering constraints among multi- For more information about the current issue nomial parameters. The third presents an analysis of The American Statistician, visit www.tandfonline. of how players in Contestant’s Row should bid on com/toc/utas20/current. n the game show The Price Is Right. The fourth exam- ines empirical likelihood ratio hypothesis tests for positive quadrant dependence between two random variables. The fifth proposes a framework to perform hypothesis testing in the presence of adver- saries. Finally, the sixth article describes a Bayesian Articles Wanted for approach to make inference on the correlation coef- ficient under divergence-based priors. Significance Writing The Statistical Computing and Graphics section has two articles. The first article discusses sampling Competition strategies for fast updating of Gaussian Markov random fields. The authors describe how one can sam- n partnership with the Young Statisticians ple from target distributions more efficiently when Section of the Royal Statistical Society, compared to existing methods. Their approach is Significance is hosting the Statistical Excellence illustrated by using data sets in imaging analysis and AwardI for Early-Career Writing competition. election voting. The second describes an R Shiny The international award celebrates career- app to plan a Bayesian two-stage, “drop-the-losers” young statisticians, data scientists, and design in clinical trials. The authors describe this researchers who can show and communicate design and then illustrate the app by using data statistics to non-experts. from a weight-loss randomized trial. To enter, submit your best statistical writing There are three articles in the Statistical Practice in the form of a magazine article (1,500 to 2,500 section. The first presents an “assumption lean” words) on any subject. Articles will be reviewed framework for regression analysis and analyzes crim- by a panel of judges, and the winning entry will inal offense data using a Poisson generalized linear be published in Significance later this year. model. The second deals with time-dependent bias To get an idea of what the judges are look- that arises in survival analysis and presents a mortal- ing for, read the previous winners’ articles at ity study of politicians in Germany, the UK, and the bit.ly/3qZzyro. USA. The third article also presents a Poisson regres- The deadline to submit articles is May 31. sion analysis, but to model the response time to struc- For detailed submission instructions, go ture fires while incorporating spatial information. to bit.ly/3ppkH8i. The Teacher’s Corner section has one article that presents a probabilistic approach to find higher- order moments of the binomial distribution. In

march 2021 amstat news 19 Proposed Procedures to Determine Whether ASA Makes Public Statement on Policy-Related Issues | Call for Comments

Larry Hedges, Chair, and Avi Feller, Vice Chair, ASA Scientific and Public Affairs Committee

he ASA is the premier profes- recuse themselves due their govern- 4. Is there an opportunity to educate sional association that speaks ment employment or a conflict of about statistics or is there a statisti- for the field of statistics and interest. When there is concern as cal perspective on this issue that we Tprofessional statisticians. Consequently, to whether an issue is partisan, a should speak to? majority vote of the voting mem- the ASA is often asked to comment 5. In our judgment, would our mem- about proposed policies, support policy bers of the Board is required to declare it non-partisan. bers expect us to be involved in the positions, and provide amicus (friend of issue? the court) briefs. 2. Referenda. Upon petition of at We are mindful that the ASA has least 100 individual members of 6. Does the issue involve an unambig- limited resources to respond to such the Association, any resolution of uous violation of accepted norms of requests, but also that we have a duty to the Board of Directors, as speci- practice in statistical science or the provide the public with the benefit of our fied in Article XI, Section 1, will ethical principles of the profession? particular scientific knowledge. We also be subject to a referendum by the 7. Does the issue relate to possible know the choice of issues on which we membership. The resolution will infringement on scientific freedom or speak (and on which we remain silent) be published in a news bulletin as human/civil rights? may be interpreted as meaningful. early as possible. A ballot will be Therefore, we believe there should sent to the individual members The ASA should not wade into discus- be a transparent process for making within 30 days after the publica- sions more appropriate for expert wit- the decision about the policy issues on tion date of the news bulletin. nesses, engaging only when—in the which the ASA has been asked to take The will of the membership, as judgment of the board—there is general a public position. We publish our pro- expressed by a majority of those agreement among statisticians with the posed process here with a call to ASA voting, governs. position stated in the brief. We propose the following procedure: members to provide their comments to 3. Commitment. Resolutions and ensure the process is transparent, open, recommendations of councils, • Those wishing to ask the ASA to and objective. chapters, sections, or committees of take a position will make a formal The process would cover the ASA the Association will be so phrased as request to the ASA, as outlined board statements, amicus briefs, and not to commit the Association or its below. That request and any addi- other such positions that go beyond the membership tional materials will be considered scope of ASA spokesperson, as stipulat- first by the ASA staff, then by the The board’s questions from 2017 (bit. ASA section(s) or committee(s) with ed in the ASA bylaws: “The President ly/3d5dvf9) on when the ASA should and the Executive Director are the offi- the relevant expertise or interest, make a public position, as supplement- and—if warranted and not already cial spokespersons of the Association.”* ed below, should be used in evaluating included—the Scientific and Public This process also assumes Article XI of whether the ASA should respond to Affairs Advisory Committee. the ASA bylaws holds: requests to take a position: • The consulted section(s) and Article XI. RESOLUTIONS 1. Is the ASA particularly well posi- committee(s) will make a recom- tioned to respond to the issue? 1. Partisan Issues. The name of the mendation to the ASA Board as to Association must not be used in 2. Does the issue have impact on the (a) whether the ASA should pro- connection with support for par- statistics profession or on the ASA vide the requested support and (b) tisan issues or for candidates for itself? whether the consulted section(s) or public office. Resolutions by the committee(s) will draft documents Board of Directors on nonpartisan 3. Does this issue have impact on in collaboration with the ASA staff issues require approval by two- the quality or integrity of science, or an independent committee of thirds of the voting members of including statistics, or on the abil- ASA members or others who might the Board who are not required to ity to inform public policy? be a more appropriate drafting entity.

20 amstat news march 2021 ASA Signs on as Host of

• The entity determined in (b) will then submit the draft JMM 2022 document to the ASA Board for approval (or not). Special Session, Workshop Proposals • To facilitate review, the Being Accepted request must include a one- page summary that includes Scott Hershberger, JMM Communications and Outreach Content Specialist the following: he ASA will join other professional concerns, rec- - A brief, clear statement societies and associations reational mathematics, and of the issue to which as a partner with the wider issues are encouraged. the ASA is requested to TAmerican Mathematical Society Also welcome are events that respond, along with the (AMS) to hold Joint Mathematics connect communities, such time sensitivity, if any, of Meetings (JMM) 2022, the larg- as interdisciplinary workshops the request. est annual mathematics gathering or collaborations between - Short explanations of in the world. Scheduled to take mathematical sciences how the proposed state- place January 5–8, 2022, in researchers and mathematics ment satisfies the criteria Seattle, Washington, JMM will education researchers. (bit. listed above. feature an expanded classification ly/3jHk4Wo) system for sessions and talks in Proposals must be submitted - Relevant information via the portal at bit.ly/37onWqz about those making the addition to existing MSC classifi- by April 7. recommendation. cations to cultivate a broader range of presentations on mathematics The JMM program is orga- • The request should be sent research, pedagogy, and inclusion. nized from the bottom up—ses- to the ASA executive director ASA members can now reg- sions and talks occur because with the director of science ister for the conference at the individuals and small groups of policy copied. A request could member rate and are invited to mathematicians take the initiative also be sent to a member of submit a proposal for one of the to organize them. The committee the ASA Board of Directors. following two categories: looks forward to receiving your The board also initiates the issuance • A special session is a collec- proposals and working together to of the ASA positions discussed here, tion of talks (typically 5–10 make JMM 2022 a welcoming and sometimes at the recommendation hours in total) devoted to a fulfilling experience for everyone. of ASA staff. The board’s process single area of mathematics or No decisions will be made generally remains the same, using a single topic. Each talk starts about proposals until after the the supplemented 2017 questions on the hour or half hour, last- submission deadline has passed. as their guide for whether to pro- ing about 20 or 45 minutes Organizers of proposals will be ceed and following the ASA bylaws. plus time for a discussion and notified whether their proposal Any comments should be sent break. (www.ams.org/meetings/ has been accepted by May 25. to ASA Director of Science Policy pc-call-for-proposals- Visit www.ams.org/news?news_ Steve Pierson at [email protected] spec-sess-jmm2022.pdf) id=6558 for more information. AMS is the sole manager by March 31. • Panels, workshops, and other events typically last of the conference’s logistics, so *“When the President is unable to 60–90 minutes, although questions should be directed to serve as a spokesperson, this role can professional development the AMS meetings department at be delegated to the President-Elect.” workshops can run for 2–6 [email protected]. Further, the bylaws presume that no hours. Proposals on topics For questions about the other individuals should claim to have such as creating an inclusive ASA partnership, contact ASA authority to speak on behalf of the atmosphere in the mathe- Director of Strategic Initiatives ASA unless so delegated. n matical sciences community, and Outreach Donna LaLonde at teaching and learning, pro- [email protected]. n fessional development and

march 2021 amstat news 21 MY ASA STORY

KellyRESEARCHER Zou This is a new series featuring ASA members who share their ASA stories. Our mission is to collect authentic and meaningful accounts of member experiences. If you have a story you would like to share, email the ASA’s marketing and communications coordinator, Kim Gilliam, at [email protected].

joined the American Statistical Association when I was still a graduate student working on my doctoral degree in statistics. The ASA was welcomingI to new and junior members. My doctoral and postdoctoral work focused on receiver Kelly H. Zou, PStat, is head of Medical Analytics and Real operating characteristic analysis, discriminant anal- World Evidence at Viatris. ysis, and predictive modeling. The ASA opened doors to many more fascinating quantitative meth- California. The theme of the conference was odologies and applications, not to mention those “Statistics: Growing to Serve a Data-Dependent leading experts in the field as mentors, as well as Society,” which has become increasingly reflective junior researchers as mentees. of the abundance of big data and real-world data. The ASA offers three ways to get involved: com- How statisticians and data scientists can gain valu- mittees; sections; and chapters. There are several able insights to make data-driven decisions also reasons why I enjoy volunteering, including pay- became ever more important. ing it forward, sharing cutting-edge statistics, and Recently, I participated in offering some advice building leadership skills. to our members of the Biopharmaceutical Section I first volunteered as a member and vice chair of on becoming fellows. I wrote that, as a working the Committee on Applied Statisticians. I also have statistician in the health care industry, the experi- had various roles within the ASA, including chair ence of the ASA Fellow nomination has made me of the Statistical Partnerships Among Academe, realize the importance of several elements, includ- Industry, and Government Committee; secretary ing impact, influence, and leadership. and chair of the Health Policy Statistics Section; I feel fortunate to be part of such distinguished co-chair of the International Conference on Health fellows, especially since, under ASA bylaws, the Policy Statistics; and chair-elect of the Text Analysis Committee on Fellows can elect up to one-third Interest Group. of one percent of the total association membership Moreover, I have been on the editorial board as fellows each year. Thus, this experience with the of Significance, jointly published by the Royal 2012 class of fellows was meaningful and reward- Statistical Society and ASA. Finally, I have always ing. Many of us in that crowd are helping organiza- signed up as a JSM mentor. tions in all sectors to make informed decisions and, in my case, pursuing cures for patients. Impact, Influence, Leadership Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are those of A proud and memorable moment was when I was Kelly H. Zou and do not necessarily represent those of elected as an ASA Fellow among a group of tal- her employer. n ented members during JSM 2012 in San Diego,

22 amstat news march 2021 ASA, COPAFS, Partners Urge Bolstering of Federal Statistical Agencies Constance Citro, Emerson Elliott, John Gawalt, Felice Levine, Jeri Mulrow, Paul Schroeder, Katherine Wallman, and Steve Pierson

ederal statistics have undergirded our democ- racy, society, and economy since the nation’s founding. Even as their importance has increasedF over the centuries—especially recently with the focus on evidence-based policymaking— the agencies producing the data have been neglect- ed, lost important autonomy and statutory protections, and been pushed deeper into the federal bureaucracy. Several agencies have experienced threats to the integrity of key data sets (e.g., the 2020 census) and to their ability to carry out their basic functions (e.g., the abrupt relocation of USDA’s Economic Research Service [ERS] and subsequent loss of staff). All this has been occurring with 21st-century opportunities and challenges needing urgent attention. An existential threat to high-quality government statistics is declining survey response rates at a time of growing demand for more timely and Figure 1: Budgets in nominal and real dollars local data. Offsetting the threats are the promising opportunities possible through incorporation of data from administrative records and non-federal Box 1—Supporting Organizations’ Documents sources, as well as newly available and powerful processing tools for data linkages. The documents are linked at bit.ly/3rJpF1a and include the following: The American Statistical Association, Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics • Principal Statistical Agencies, system-wide priorities (COPAFS), and other supporters of federal statis- • Bureau of Economic Analysis tics are recommending specific actions to address immediate issues of data integrity and the decades- • Bureau of Justice Statistics long challenges that have undercut the ability of • Bureau of Labor Statistics the principal statistical agencies to carry out their missions to the fullest. The goal is to ensure reli- • Bureau of Transportation Statistics able, objective, and timely government statistics • Economic Research Service for public and policy use in the service of a strong economy, society, and democratic polity. The sup- • National Agricultural Statistics Service porting organizations’ documents cover the federal • National Center for Education Statistics statistical system as a whole and 10 of the principal federal statistical agencies. Box 1 provides a link to • National Center for Health Statistics the documents; Table 1 highlights priority recom- • National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics mendations for the 10 agencies. • US Census Bureau System-Wide Recommendations For the statistical system as a whole, the ASA, COPAFS, and supporting organizations focused on challenges and opportunities that are common across agencies. They recommend the administration and Congress prioritize opportunities to build

march 2021 amstat news 23 Table 1: Priority Recommendations for the 10 Agencies

Agency Priority Recommendations

BEA needs support to— • Improve the accuracy and reliability of its data • Develop new and expanded products to measure a dynamic economy in coordination with other economic statistical agencies Bureau of Economic • Improve customer understanding and modernize access to and use of BEA’s products Analysis (BEA) • Strive for operational excellence to meet mission-critical goals in a cost-effective and efficient manner • Coordinate its work with other economic statistics agencies

BJS needs a strong leadership structure to— • Modernize and strengthen its data collections and publish data and reports in a timely manner Bureau of Justice Statistics • Produce new products that are timelier and more specific to communities (e.g., victimization rates at the local levels) (BJS) • Build partnerships to achieve these needs and relationships with stakeholders • Rationalize its budget structure

BLS needs support to— • Increase the frequency of data release from the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) to twice annually Bureau of Labor Statistics • Increase resources for the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) (BLS) • Access state unemployment insurance (UI) wage records and UI claims data • Fund a new cohort for the National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth (NLSY)

BTS needs— • Urgent attention to its short- and long-term budget shortfalls Bureau of Transportation • Reinstatement of its Advisory Council on Transportation Statistics Statistics (BTS) • Measures to strengthen its independence from political and other undue external influence

ERS needs— • Support and flexibility to rebuild its staff, especially for senior leadership • Affirmation and commitment from the department for its Economic Research • Independence and objectivity within the Research, Education, and Economics mission area Service (ERS) • Role as one of 13 principal federal statistical agencies, thereby adhering to standards promulgated by the chief statistician of the United States • Further consideration of its optimal configuration between two locations

NASS needs support to— • Improve the accuracy and reliability of its data while also reducing respondent burden • Develop new and expanded products National Agricultural • Transition from traditional survey data collection to in-depth integration of survey data with alternative sources and methods Statistics Service (NASS) • Modernize its IT infrastructure • Strengthen protections within USDA to ensure objective and reliable data

NCES needs— • More technical staff National Center for • Enhanced resources Education Statistics (NCES) • Independence from political and other undue external influence • Authority to retain its management responsibilities for both assessment (including the “Nation’s Report Card”) and its other statistical activities

NCHS needs to— • Create a platform for using electronic health records (EHR) to facilitate processing, analysis, and access to timely and detailed morbidity data • Combine the assets of its National Health Interview Survey and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to address response bias and growing requests for more detailed data National Center for Health • Improve vital statistics data quality and timeliness by funding states to develop new and upgraded electronic registration systems and by upgrading Statistics (NCHS) internal NCHS systems to support real-time reporting and data dissemination • Explore use of innovative techniques to better protect data confidentiality and expand access to linked files • Redesign its website to improve data access, usability, and visualizations • Upgrade its computing technology and capacity

NCSES needs strong NSF leadership support and enhanced staffing and budget resources to— • Expand its data portfolio on the science and technology enterprise National Center for • Develop innovative services to link, analyze, and disseminate data as the foundation for rigorous research to generate insights that can improve Science and Engineering American society (e.g., design and implement a secure research data center) Statistics (NCSES) • Collaborate broadly with national and international scientific communities to support innovation and create knowledge to improve the future • Give attention to its budget and budget structure

The Census Bureau needs— • Additional time to produce apportionment and redistricting data and data products from the 2020 Census • Additional protections to conduct its mission free from undue political interference US Census Bureau • Nomination of a director with a demonstrated ability to manage large organizations; experience in the collection, analysis, and use of statistical data; and a commitment to ensuring the accuracy and reliability of census data

24 amstat news march 2021 Table 2: Enacted Budgets of the 13 Principal Federal Statistical Agencies in FY09 Dollars (Adjusted Using the GDP Deflator) % Change from FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY09 Agencies (budgets in FY09 $ Millions)* Bureau of Economic 87 91.9 90.2 87.6 83.8 87.5 87.4 94.4 91.6 85.3 85.5 89.6 91 Analysis 4.6% Bureau of Justice 51 59.3 58.1 39.2 38.6 41.3 37.2 36.8 40.1 41.3 36.4 35.7 36.6 Statistics -28.2% Bureau of Labor 597 604 590.6 578.6 538.9 542.9 537.7 547.3 537.2 527.1 520.4 521 522.2 Statistics -12.5% Bureau of Transpor- 27 26.7 26.1 23.9 24.3 23.8 23.6 23.4 22.9 22.4 22 21.6 21.1 tation Statistics -21.7% US Census Bureau 4169 7141.8 1115.4 895.3 785.9 866.3 988 1231.1 1285.1 2423.9 3233.9 6270.5 897.7 N/A Energy Information 111 109.7 93 99.8 92.9 107.3 106.2 109.6 107.6 107.7 105.8 105.2 103.1 Administration -7.1% Economic Research 80 81.1 79.2 73.8 66.7 71.6 70.6 69.8 69.8 68.1 66.9 64 63.3 Service -20.9% National Agricultural 152 160.1 151.4 150.7 155 147.8 148.2 143.1 142.9 157.2 139.9 142 142.1 Statistics Service -6.5% National Center for 246 244.2 239.2 234.7 211 215.4 210.8 234.5 228 222.7 220.4 218.6 224.9 Education Statistics -8.6% National Center for 125 137.4 134.3 131.8 129.5 128.3 127.1 130.3 127.9 124.9 122.7 120.3 118.8 Health Statistics -5.0% Nat'l Center for Sci- ence & Engineering 39 40.5 40.7 41.1 38.8 43.2 52.9 52.4 52.7 53.7 54.2 53.9 Statistics, NSF Office of Research, Evaluation, & Statis- 27 27.7 28.1 27.6 25.7 24.7 26.3 23.3 21.2 23.3 28.1 28 28.3 tics, SSA 4.7% Statistics of Income 42 42.6 37.9 36.8 32.6 34 33.4 34 30.3 29 30.4 29.8 30.4 Division, IRS -27.6%

Adjustments have been made for several agencies that have experienced budget restructuring to make the levels comparable for the years represented. Because amounts shown for the US Census Bureau include the decennial census, it is not appropriate to calculate the percentage change from 2009 to 2021. See the Google spreadsheet at bit.ly/3797MRx for notes. back and enhance the nation’s data infrastructure by in 2012). Senate confirmation provides an doing the following: important check on the technical qualifica- • Enhancing autonomy to ensure reliable, objective tions and integrity of the nominee and data: The 2020 Census and ERS-relocation affords Congress a route to ensure the agency controversies—as well as concerns raised about head’s accountability. It may also provide COVID-19 data (bit.ly/3tZjybd)—exposed the confirmed head additional authority to weaknesses in ensuring objective and reliable defend the integrity of the agency’s products government statistics. Several of the support- and thereby elevate the role of statistics in ing organizations’ priorities documents recom- evidence-based policymaking. mend a bolstering of federal statistical agency • Giving greater emphasis to “real-time” data: autonomy—including for publications, bud- Federal statistical agencies have traditionally get, hiring, and IT infrastructure. The Bureau emphasized the production of annual series, of Justice Statistics (BJS) and National Center such as household income and poverty sta- for Education Statistics (NCES) documents tistics or crime victimization rates. The key urge a restoration of Senate confirmation of economic indicators designated by the US their presidentially appointed heads (removed

march 2021 amstat news 25 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) To act on these priorities, the administration and are published more frequently—examples Congress should address the following factors that are the quarterly Bureau of Economic inhibit the ability of the agencies to serve the infor- Analysis (BEA) gross domestic product mation needs of the nation: (GDP) releases and the monthly Bureau • Restore lost purchasing power: Because of bud- of Labor Statistics (BLS) price index and get constraints, many statistical agencies are jobs reports. The COVID-19 pandemic struggling to continue established programs, has demonstrated the urgent need for even let alone respond to new data needs or take more series to be produced quickly and advantage of methodological and technologi- made available as frequently as possible. cal advances that would improve their data Agencies have responded with agility and and reduce costs and respondent burden. As resolve, illustrating what can be achieved seen in Table 2, all but three of 12 federal with more resources. In collaboration with statistical agencies have lost purchasing power five other federal statistical agencies, the since FY09, while four of the agencies lost Census Bureau launched the Household more than 12 percent in purchasing power Pulse Survey, providing insightful weekly (see Figure 1). data starting in May about how Americans are faring during the COVID-19 pan- • Address staff shortages: For at least three agen- demic. One of the collaborating agencies, cies, staff size constraints keep them from the National Center for Health Statistics seizing opportunity, working at full capac- (NCHS), also began publishing near reality, or fulfilling their potential. The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics time data on deaths due to the pandemic. (NCSES) has a budget-to-staff ratio of $1.15 In addition, the Bureau of Transportation million per FTE, a ratio more than three times Statistics (BTS) started providing daily and the median of the 12 principal federal statisti- weekly statistics that serve as an early indi- cal agencies. For the NCES, the ratio is $2.56, cator of how the pandemic affects trans- or more than 7.5 times the median (see Table portation demand and services. Agencies 3). These high ratios mean that in-house staff should be provided the support and cannot fully monitor the work of contractors, resources to further the publishing of more let alone develop important new initiatives. real-time data. BTS also faces a serious shortage of FTE staff, hampering its efforts to maintain internal • Linking data to deepen insights on social condi- capacity, keep pace with statistical advance- tions: Federal statistical agencies are working ments, and innovate to leverage big data. to enhance the relevance of their data by cross-linking them with data from other agen- • Strengthen capacity for system-wide coordination: cies, work supported and encouraged by the Recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking the United States’ decentralized statistical sys- Act. But many opportunities have yet to be tem, the supporting organizations recommend addressed. For example, the BJS—with greater enhancing system-wide coordination and col- investment—could link criminal justice data laboration, including elevating the position of with education, health, transportation, and the chief statistician of the United States with- economic data to study the drivers of criminal in OMB, providing the chief statistician more activity and how they can be better mitigated. staff, and asking agencies to coordinate and Similarly, BTS could work with local com- integrate statistical programs across agencies. munities to better understand how people in the community use the transportation network How You Can Help to access employment, health care, education, We encourage members of the ASA and other stake- fresh groceries, and other essential services holders to express their concerns about the federal sta- and needs, which, in turn, could inform tistical system as a whole, as well as specific agencies investment decisions for the betterment and (including agencies for which documents do not yet strengthening of their communities.

26 amstat news march 2021 Table 3: Budget to Staff Ratio for 12 Principal Federal Statistical Agencies

Budget $M Staff Size FY16–17 FY19–20

Ratio of Ratio normal- Ratio of Ratio normal- FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 Budget ($M) ized to ratio Budget ($M) ized to ratio to Staff median to Staff median

Agencies (budgets in FY09 $ Millions)*

Bureau of Eco- nomic Analysis 105.1 103.8 99.0 101.0 108.0 499 488 480 489 501 0.21 0.62 0.21 0.60

Bureau of Justice Statistics 41.0 45.5 48.0 43.0 43.0 57 56 55 55 49 0.77 2.24 0.83 2.34

Bureau of Labor Statistics 609.0 609.0 612.0 615.0 628.0 2,036 2,035 1,865 1,989 1,989 0.30 0.88 0.31 0.89

Bureau of Transportation 26.0 26.0 26.0 26.0 26.0 66 68 52 55 60 0.39 1.14 0.45 1.28 Statistics

Energy Informa- tion Administra- 122.0 122.0 125.0 125.0 126.8 326 341 317 368 357 0.37 1.07 0.35 0.98 tion

Economic Re- search Service 85.4 86.8 86.8 86.8 84.8 346 348 312 321 158 0.25 0.73 0.36 1.02

National Agricul- tural Statistics 168.4 171.2 191.7 174.5 180.3 1,038 1,037 1,033 1,033 1,033 0.16 0.48 0.17 0.49 Service

National Center for Education 261.0 258.5 258.5 260.5 263.5 93 95 100 100 105 2.76 8.09 2.56 7.25 Statistics

National Center for Health 160.4 160.4 160.4 160.4 160.4 508 503 443 484 470 0.32 0.93 0.34 0.95 Statistics

Nat'l Center for Science & Engineering 58.3 59.7 62.4 64.0 65.0 50 52 56 56 56 1.16 3.39 1.15 3.27 Statistics, NSF

Office of Research, Evaluation, & 25.9 24.0 27.0 35.4 36.0 67 64 63 79 79 0.38 1.12 0.45 1.28 Statistics, SSA

Statistics of Income Division, 37.8 34.3 33.7 35.9 35.9 117 140 136 135 139 0.28 0.82 0.26 0.74 IRS

See also bit.ly/3aVeADC. Table excludes the Census Bureau because of the high variability in its budget due to the decennial census. exist), to their representatives in Congress, the ASA, Action to bolster the federal statistical enterprise COPAFS, supporting organizations, and other orga- can also go far to bolster the trust of all parties in nizations to which they belong. the integrity of the data. Federal statistics are the The time is ripe for action that could make a real backbone of the nation’s data infrastructure—they difference in the quality, timeliness, and relevance need and deserve our active attention and support. of the nation’s statistical output about employment, Editor’s Note: This article is adapted from a economic growth, poverty, educational achieve- January 27 ASA press release, bit.ly/3770FJo, which ment, health and well-being, crime victimization, includes quotes from several leaders of the federal sta- agricultural production, transportation, and the tistical community. n scientific enterprise.

march 2021 amstat news 27 YEARS OF Caucus CWS for Women in ___Statistics Celebrates 50 Years his year marks the 50th anniversary of the 300 students and professional statisticians in addi- creation of the Caucus for Women in tion to co-founding the Women in Statistics and Statistics (CWS), an international profes- Data Science Conference (WSDS) and sponsoring Tsional statistical society formed in 1971 for the edu- many of its sessions. cation, employment, and advancement of women Wendy Lou, 2020 CWS president, created in statistics. the CWS Societal Impact Award to recognize In the 50 years since the caucus was founded, it the impact statisticians have on society at large. has formed close ties with other professional societ- Current CWS president, Tomi Mori, plans to ies, including the ASA, Institute of Mathematical make 2021 special by engaging with past CWS Statistics, Statistical Society of Canada, International presidents and members, connecting them with Statistical Institute, International Biometric Society, current and future members, and passing on CWS International Chinese Statistical Association, history to the next generation. International Indian Statistical Association, Korean Through this growing network of statisticians International Statistical Society, and Western North across academia, industry, and government, the cau- American Region of the International Biometric cus has made strides in the past 50 years in advanc- Society. CWS has also built a network of more than ing the careers of women statisticians through

28 amstat news march 2021 50th Anniversary Planning Committee Tomi Mori (chair) Nairanjana (Jan) Dasgupta Rochelle Fu Brittany Green Jessica Kohlschmidt Donna LaLonde Nicole Lazar Wendy Lou Natasha Sahr Brisa Sanchez Hongying Sun Li Tang

To help with the anniversary celebration, send an email to [email protected].

advocacy, providing resources and learning opportunities, increasing professional participation and visibility, and promoting and assessing research that affects women statisticians. To mark the 50th anniversary of CWS, a variety of celebratory events have been planned, including a virtual conference, invited sessions at the Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) and WSDS, a special CWS event at JSM, a CWS giving day, an electronic time capsule predicting what the statistics field will look like in 50 years, essay and poster competitions for K–12 students, and a series of events to gather the community and celebrate each other. The Madam Presidents Happy Hour takes place over Zoom on the fourth Thursday of each month from 3–4 p.m. ET. It is open to all and allows those who participate to get to know past CWS presidents and connect with others. Also, the CWS Past Presidents Interview Series is on YouTube (bit.ly/ CWS_YouTube). Currently, interviews are available with Ji-Hyun Lee (2017 president) and Stephanie Shipp (1992 president), both interviewed by ASA Director of Strategic Initiatives and Outreach Donna LaLonde.

march 2021 amstat news 29 SCARLETT BELLAMY grew up on her grandparent’s tobacco farm, learning how to drive a tractor when she was just five years old. This experience shaped her work ethic. Moreover, when her grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer, Bellamy promised she would become a doctor so she could “fix” her. Ultimately, Bellamy earned her PhD in biostatistics from Harvard and although it wasn’t the type of doctor who could fix her grandmother, she did fulfill her promise. Today, Bellamy is a professor of biostatistics and associate dean for diversity, inclusion, and faculty development at Drexel University.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are once again celebrating 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 biographies and find out why they chose statistics as a profession, who influenced them, and what they have accomplished.

ANI ELOYAN’s favorite subject in school while Always drawn to science in one form or growing up in Armenia was mathematics. another, SANDY GRIFFITH started college as It wasn’t until graduate school, however, a biochemistry major, but her clumsy nature that she pursued statistics and learned to lent itself better to handling data instead of model health data. While she focused on the beakers and chemicals. Throughout her career, methodology of matrix decompositions for her she has gravitated toward applied medical PhD thesis, she had the opportunity to learn research with the potential to affect the lives of about neuroscience and applying statistics patients. In her current role at Flatiron Health, when analyzing brain imaging data during a Griffith works with real-world data derived postdoctoral fellowship. Her career and life have from electronic health records in oncology. given her some great first moments—seeing Her proudest moments have involved the pride on her grandfather’s face when she communicating complex statistical concepts finished her PhD, watching her first PhD student to nonstatistical audiences in an approachable defend her dissertation, and hearing her toddler way by weaving in personal stories that carry say a complete sentence. emotional resonance.

30 amstat news march 2021 SIMINA BOCA grew up in Bucharest, CHRISTY CHUANG-STEIN grew up in an isolated Romania, and participated in many math city on the east coast of Taiwan. Both her parents contests as a kid. Her best result was fourth were high-school teachers, and she remembers place nationally in the ninth grade, but she doing math lessons with her mother while other was pretty sure she didn’t want to focus on kids played outside. Yes, she resented the extra pure math as a career. When she attended a lessons at the time, but those lessons served genetics class her senior year in high school in her well and she ended up majoring in math in the United States, she discovered biostatistics college. In the 90s, Chuang-Stein represented and majored in math at the University of Pfizer (then Pharmacia) in presenting their HIV trial Illinois. Along the way, she realized she enjoyed data at an FDA Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee working with data and thinking about data. meeting to review statistical evidence for using From a professional perspective, her proudest viral load as a surrogate for clinical outcome in moment was convincing collaborators to rerun assessing HIV treatments. It is hard for her to an experiment because the initial one had describe the sense of exhilaration when her team’s pronounced batch effects that could not be endeavors lead to profound improvement in fixed at the analysis stage. people’s lives.

NANDINI KANNAN was born in Bhopal, India, JESSICA K. KOHLSCHMIDT grew up in and completed her schooling in Mumbai and Houston, Texas, with five siblings. A first- New Delhi. She enjoyed solving math puzzles generation college student, she had a passion as a child, inheriting her love of mathematics for math from a young age. She has taught from her father, a mathematician. After full and part time at colleges since 1999 and completing a master’s degree at the University is currently is a PhD biostatistician at the Clara of Madras, Kannan joined the University of D. Bloomfield Center for Leukemia Outcomes Pittsburgh to work with C. R. Rao. She is proud Research at The Ohio State University of her work at the National Science Foundation Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is also a developing interdisciplinary research and longtime officer of the Caucus for Women training programs in data science and is in Statistics (CWS), serving for 10 years as passionate about the critical role science and secretary and, in 2018, becoming the first technology play in this global interconnected executive director. society. Kannan is committed to developing and supporting initiatives that address diversity and equity in the STEM workforce.

march 2021 amstat news 31 LUCY D’AGOSTINO MCGOWAN spent the beginning of her childhood in Boston, Massachusetts, and the rest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she lives today as a biostatistician, teacher, science communicator, At a young age, ELIZABETH podcaster, partner, mom, programmer, Disney enthusiast, OGBURN’s plan was to stay in and BB-8 builder. She fell in love with the statistics field school forever. In college, she studied after doing a Summer Institute in Biostatistics at Boston philosophy and math and tried University. D’Agostino McGowan is also an avid statistical everything from epidemiology to data communicator. Her efforts in statistical communication analysis, but nothing stuck. She wasn’t span from op-eds about the current COVID-19 sure what she wanted to do until she pandemic; a podcast in partnership with the American attended a talk about causal inference Journal of Epidemiology, Casual Inference; and outreach via and knew that was the perfect fit. Now, social media. Her research focuses on causal inference, as a Johns Hopkins faculty member, human-data interaction, and statistical communication. she loves being part of the broader She is currently the chair of the ASA Committee on causal inference community, with its Women in Statistics and co-leads an effort with past-chair connections to social science, computer Stephanie Hicks to build community and engagement. science, theoretical and applied Follow their Twitter feed at @WomeninStat. statistics, and, of course, public health.

SHAWN SIMPSON loved math SUZANNE THORNTON’s interest and computers as a kid and thought in statistics blossomed when she soldering extra chips into her PlayStation took her first course in college. While was cool, so she resolved to major in attending JSM, she discovered a electrical engineering in college. It program covering interesting research wasn’t until she was analyzing LIDAR and topics that she, as a queer woman, data that it became clear how powerful had never felt welcome to discuss statistics was as a field and she decided with her predominantly straight, to earn her PhD in statistics. Currently, male instructors. Now a professor of as principal data scientist on the AI statistics at Swarthmore, she works Labs team at BlackRock in New York on ways statistics education can be City, she leads a group that builds tools modernized and brought to a wider for traders powered by statistics and population and ultimately increase the machine learning. Her advice to young diversity of the field. statisticians? Don’t do this alone; reach out to others for support and feedback.

32 amstat news march 2021 DOOTI ROY spent her weekends as a child in Kolkata working on puzzles and combinatorics ANNIE QU was trained as a computational and reading storybooks. She was introduced mathematician and had not analyzed data to statistics when she was 16 and enjoyed it so until she was introduced to statistics in much that she earned a graduate fellowship to graduate school. Suddenly, all the numbers pursue her PhD in the US. Today, she works as and programming were meaningful and a methodologist at Boehringer Ingelheim, Inc., there were interesting stories behind them. where her days are spent learning, researching, This was just the beginning of her journey and implementing statistical methods to make in data science research. Since then, she has clinical trials more efficient. Even though her worked on tensor learning for optical breast job is challenging, she learns constantly and cancer imaging data, network data, deep solves meaningful and complex problems to learning, active learning, crowdsourcing, and help patients in need. Recently, she has been personalized medicine. Doing something new mentoring younger statisticians and actively and cutting-edge has always been exciting for volunteers her time on several ASA committees, her and keeps her motivated. including the Antiracism Task Force.

Read their full bios online at magazine.amstat.org.

MARINA VANNUCCI was recognized early in CLARICE R. WEINBERG was always good her career with the Italian Statistical Society’s with numbers and earned both her bachelor’s prize for “Best Doctoral Thesis in Statistics.” The and master’s degrees in mathematics. prize gave her confidence in her abilities as a However, she didn’t know what to do with her researcher and launched her professional career math degrees so she looked into statistics and in academia. Now, as a professor, she savors eventually earned her PhD in biomathematics advising students and watching them grow from the University of Washington. Now into independent researchers. Service is another at the National Institute of Environmental aspect of her professional career she enjoys Health Sciences, she is active in breast cancer and she never shies away from challenging research and works with biostatistics graduate roles. She is particularly proud of her work as students to develop stochastic search methods editor-in-chief of Bayesian Analysis and editor of to identify sets of gene variants and sets of the Journal of the American Statistical Association, exposures that synergistically influence risk. Theory & Methods section.

march 2021 amstat news 33 columns

STATS4GOOD New Federal Data Policies and the Impact of Data for Good ith the transition to a new administration in Washington, this is a good time to review how new policies and practices Ware expected to affect our work in Data for Good. Without taking any political positions, a description of how the scientific landscape is changing would be useful for all of us. The media has given much attention to the pandemic response. The coordinated COVID-19 David Corliss leads a data science team at response will include improvements to pandemic Stellantis. He serves on data collection and access to support evidence-based the steering committee policymaking. The plan to reestablish in-person for the Conference education at schools also includes a program to on Statistical Practice collect data needed to inform these decisions. This and is the founder follows a 2020 recommendation from the Data of Peace-Work, a volunteer cooperative Foundation, a federal not-for-profit corporation of statisticians and data working across the federal landscape to make data scientists providing more accessible and usable. Of course, school deci- analytic support for sions are made locally; we are reminded of one state charitable groups and governor in March 2020 who pleaded with local applying statistical schools to close even as he acknowledged his state’s methods in issue-driven hoped this much-needed organization will also serve advocacy. constitution did not give him the authority to order as a template for other forms of inequity such as it. The data initiative inside the post-pandemic back- gender and disability. to-school plan will support studies by state and local While not included in the scope of this working D4G researchers to empower data-driven decisions. group, at least as yet, action has been undertaken to The new administration has also announced an prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender iden- initiative for “advancing racial equity and support tity or sexual orientation. The ASA’s Anti-Racism Task for underserved communities.” In a major step for- Force and the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion ward for Data for Good, the new administration is Outreach Group are active in these areas and can help setting up the Social Equity Data Working Group. people and projects in data for social good. This group will advise on best practices, identify With a strong foundation in data and analytic where improvement is needed, and recommend best practices, the resources and recommenda- actions to address shortcomings. It will work across tions developed by the Social Equity Data Working organizations and agencies to foster a comprehen- Group will support practitioners in all areas of advo- sive and synoptic understanding of racial inequity cacy for social equity. Further, a number of other and ways to address it. actions outlined by the new administration as it The working group will be co-chaired by the charts its course both need D4G support to accom- chief statistician of the United States and the US plish and will create new resources for us to use. chief technology officer. (As of February 1, both New initiatives are underway to address the of these offices are vacant. Nancy Potok, the most COVID-19 pandemic, fight climate change, devel- recent chief statistician, is assisting the new admin- op ethical standards in the sciences, and expand istration’s transition team.) Once established, it is funding for basic science serving the greater good.

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The Consortium of Social Science Associations, of many of the Data for Good opportunities we see which the ASA is a member, provides a wealth of infor- today have been made possible by their quiet, faith- mation and other resources to support policy advocacy ful service to the sciences and our country. In an era in the social sciences. Their Washington Update (www. when the possibility of university tenure becomes thewashingtonupdate.com) is a great source of informa- distant for many, scientific civil service is an option tion about what is happening and how to get involved. to consider to create a career using science for the While these plans will guide federal agencies in greater good. the US, their impact is much broader. By establish- ing policies closer to international standards, global Getting Involved cooperation is strengthened. All these initiatives There is still one more opportunity to submit an collectively reflect a strong desire to fully use sci- abstract for JSM. Contributed abstract submissions ence and consult with leading experts to support are open from March 16 to April 14. Contributed data-driven decision-making. In our vastly inter- abstracts can be for a paper, poster, or speed ses- connected world—and in a new normal of virtual sion. Open for all statistical topics, contributed conferences, networking, and sharing new data and sessions make a great opportunity for you to share methods—opportunities for international collabo- your work in Data for Good. Submitters will want ration has never been greater. to keep in mind the theme of this year’s conference: One group of people deserve special recognition Statistics, Data, and the Stories They Tell. You can get at this time. The United States civil service in the all the details from the submissions section of the sciences has faced significant challenges in recent JSM website at ww2.amstat.org/meetings/jsm/2021/ years. Yet, they persisted, carrying on their vital— submissions.cfm. n often life-saving—work with courage and vigor. So

march 2021 amstat news 35 columns

STATtr@k COVID-19 Job Search Tips for Early-Career Data Scientists, Analytics Pros

he past year has been a difficult time for many as a result of the ongoing TCOVID-19 pandemic. Although we’ve seen that data science and analytics professionals are still in demand, the job market has been challenging for many early-career Katie Ferguson is a professionals looking to get their specialist in quantitative start during this “new normal.” marketing. She helped Academic programs, intern- launch Burtch Works’ ships, career plans, and interview mid- and junior-level schedules have all been disrupted analytics practice and has been working with (bit.ly/2Of2nlr). Many of these analytics professionals events may be out of your con- for 13 years. trol, but following are some tips for those who want to proactively manage their early career and job search during this uncertain time. 1. Keep your existing and even if you haven’t had expe- If you don’t have professional skills fresh and look for rience with these tools in a profes- work experience yet, make sure to sional setting (yet), having a fresh highlight past analytics projects, new marketable skills. foundation can be helpful when such as market mix or predictive While keeping your skills fresh you’re in the market for a job. modeling projects. This is espe- is always advisable, it is especially helpful if you’re able to high- cially prudent now. If you 2. Update your résumé. light tools or techniques you’ve have time while job searching employed that are requirements in Keeping your résumé updated is or finishing your coursework/ the job you’re applying for. internship, review potential job something I strongly encourage opportunities and see if there data scientists and analytics professionals to do, even if they’re 3. Practice video inter- are any skills/tools you should viewing skills. be adding to your toolkit. There not looking for a job. First, it’s are tons of online data science much easier to describe your It’s never a bad idea to practice and analytics resources (such as projects and experience shortly interviewing skills with friends, Coursera) to help you get expo- after you’ve worked on them. especially your fellow colleagues sure to different tools or refresh Additionally, you never know in data science and analytics, and your knowledge. when the right opportunity get comfortable with video inter- Python and SQL experience might present itself, and if your viewing. There are unique chal- continues to be in high demand, résumé is ready or at least fairly lenges to consider when getting current, you’ll be better prepared.

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ready for a video interview (bit. topics to see how they affect ana- finding a recruiter who focuses ly/39YQnNr). With everything lytics (bit.ly/3jrIMK7), especially on this area. moving to Zoom for the foresee- if you’re looking for a job. If you’re looking for more able future, don’t wait until your job search resources, check out interview is scheduled to make 7. Reconnect with your the COVID-19 Job Search Guide sure you’re adequately prepared. recruiter, or find one for Data Scientists and Analytics to help you. Professionals (bit.ly/3cLWwyc), 4. Look for data science which gathers resources such as and analytics virtual net- It’s always smart to keep in LinkedIn profiles, résumés, com- working or meetup groups. touch with recruiters so they are pany research, interview prepara- apprised of your situation. Let tion, and salary negotiation in As we know, lots of groups are n them know what you’re working one place. having virtual events and confer- on and what’s going to be best ences, where you can meet other for you in the future. Since data data scientists and analytics pro- science and analytics is such a fessionals for networking or to specialized field, I’d recommend expand your knowledge. You can check out local analytics meetup groups, your local chapter of the American Statistical Association, or INFORMS to see if they’re having virtual events. 5. Practice your quantitative skills with a Kaggle competition. Need to practice using your new skills and tools? Do a Kaggle competition. Kaggle is an online platform that hosts data science CALLING ALL competitions, and I’ve consis- tently recommended it as a great way to keep your skills sharp. Any GRAPHIC ARTISTS! way you can gain practice time is going to be beneficial. Do you have a secret artistic side that wants to be released? The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Outreach Group is now a reality, 6. Stay up to date on and we need your help! Make your mark by creating an emblem that analytics industry news. properly re ects JEDI and its mission to strengthen our community by Industry research is something making it more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive. The selected image I always recommend as part of will serve as the group’s ocial logo. interview preparation. It’s now even more prudent to be aware Submit your graphic (gif, png, jpeg), along with a brief explanation of its of what is happening in data imagery and any associated symbolism, to [email protected] by May 4. science and analytics, regardless Judges will select rst-, second-, and third-place images, and prizes will of whether you’re interviewing. Also, stay well-versed in related be awarded for the winning emblems. Email [email protected] with any questions or inquiries. Help us by sharing your creativity!

march 2021 amstat news 37 awards & deadlines

Obituary Michael Ross Chernick Leroy P. Steele Prizes William Fogg Osgood, and Michael Ross Chernick died William Caspar Graustein, the unexpectedly on January The American Mathematical Steele prizes are endowed under 1, 2021. He was 73 years Society invites you to celebrate the terms of a bequest from Leroy old and the beloved hus- excellence in mathematics schol- P. Steele. The AMS Council for- band of Deborah Ann arship by nominating a colleague malized the three prize categories (Lewandowski) Chernick. for the 2022 Leroy P. Steele priz- in 1993. The couple shared 32 years es. Nominations run through If you have any questions of marriage. March 31. about the nomination process or Born in Havre de Grace, A total of three prizes will be award, contact the AMS Secretary Maryland, Michael was awarded, one in each of the fol- at [email protected]. n the son of the late Jack and lowing categories: Norma (Wiener) Chernick • Lifetime Achievement: Jerome Sacks Award and the brother-in-law of Awarded for the cumulative Nominations are being sought the late Frank Weisz. influence of the total mathe- for the 2021 National Institute Michael earned his PhD matical work of the recipient, of Statistical Sciences’ (NISS) from Stanford in opera- high-level of research over Jerome Sacks Award for tions research and held an a period of time, particular advanced degree in statis- influence on the develop- Outstanding Cross-Disciplinary Research. The prize recognizes tics. A longtime member ment of a field, and influence of the American Statistical on mathematics through sustained, high-quality, cross-disciplinary research involving the Association, he was an PhD students. The amount ASA Fellow and president of this prize is $10,000. statistical sciences. A prize of $1,000 will be pre- of the Southern California • Mathematical Exposition: sented during the NISS reception Chapter. He published Awarded for a book or sub- at the Joint Statistical Meetings in many articles in professional stantial survey or expository Seattle, Washington, in August. journals and mathematical research paper. The amount books. In addition to the ASA, of this prize is $5,000. Procedure Michael was a member of To nominate an individual, the Eastern North American • Seminal Contribution Region of the International to Research in Applied submit as one PDF document Mathematics: Awarded for the following information to Biometric Society, Institute a paper, whether recent or [email protected] by April 30: of Mathematical Statistics, not, which has proved to • Nomination letter (maxi- Bernoulli Society, and be of fundamental or last- mum two pages) Royal Statistical Society. ing importance in its field He received the prestigious or a model of important • Supporting letters from Jacob Wolfowitz Award for research. The amount of two individuals (other than the Outstanding Theoretical this prize is $5,000. nominator) Advances Paper of the Year in 1983. Learn more about the nomi- • Nominee’s CV Michael was a lifelong nation process for each prize, read Questions about the award or the sports fan—especially of about past recipients, and submit nomination process can be sent to the New York Yankees— a nomination via the AMS web- [email protected]. To submit a and enjoyed teaching, site at bit.ly/LeroyPSteele. The nomination online, visit the NISS mentoring, and doing puz- winners will be announced in n website at bit.ly/2FbLaT5. zles, particularly Sudoku. He January 2022. also liked playing chess with Established in 1970 in honor his sons. of George David Birkhoff, View Michael’s obituary and read more about his family and life at bit. ly/2NwunQW.

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SFASA Celebrates Holiday Season with Positive Outlook Ling Shen, Ron Yu, and Jing Huang

he year 2020 was domi- nated by an extraordinary effort to combat a deadly Tvirus and survive a lockdown life- style. Biotech giants raced to develop COVID-19 diagnostic tests and treatments. Scientists used statistical methodologies to analyze the emerging data and understand COVID-19 transmission and incidence, which drove government policies. The San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (SFASA) hosted a three-hour virtual celebration December 4, 2020: A Positive SFASA holds a virtual holiday celebration over Zoom in December 2020. Outlook During the COVID Era: emergencies. In addition, the intervention, the basic Rt value How Statistics Could Contribute ASA created online communi- (effective reproductive numbers) to a Better 2021. More than 70 ties and organized town halls and was as high as 3.54 in Wuhan SFASA members attended. lectures to improve the quality of before the city lockdown on Opening Remarks statistics education at all levels. January 23, 2020. Approximately 87% of cases were unascertained, Tao He, SFASA president, wel- Keynote Presentations many of which were likely to be comed all attendees and high- Two invited keynote speakers asymptomatic or mildly symp- lighted the chapter’s activities and shared their impactful COVID- tomatic. Using the Wuhan data achievements in 2020. 19 projects to exemplify the role and the spring data in the US, On behalf of the ASA, Executive of statistics and data science in Lin and her collaborators iden- Director Ron Wasserstein acknowl- supporting evidence-based strate- tified important risk factors and edged SFASA won the most gen- gies to address the pandemic. symptoms for COVID-19 infec- erous chapter award during ASA Xihong Lin, professor of bio- tions, including older age, people Giving Day 2020. He then sum- statistics and statistics at Harvard of color, health care workers, loss of marized a few ASA initiatives University, and her colleagues smell and taste, and being exposed during the pandemic. To begin were among the first to publish in households and communities. with, the ASA Board of Directors important findings using the Next, Lin emphasized the formed a COVID-19 task force to Wuhan COVID-19 data. She importance of multi-pronged respond to emerging issues. They presented results from her JAMA public health interventions to sent letters to government officials and Nature publications on combat the pandemic. Data in and issued public statements about COVID-19 transmission, health many countries indicated social new US Department of Health outcome, and intervention distancing alone can reduce Rt and Human Services (HHS) guid- using the Wuhan data. First, she to linger around 1. But to bend ance for hospital reporting and showed that COVID-19 has two the curve by further reducing the role of data experts within the features: high transmissibility Rt, additional control mea- government during public health and high convertness. Before any sures are needed, including

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a cheap saliva-based self-admin- evaluating multiple potentially istered test kit (SnapDx). In the efficacious agents in the shared absence of vaccines, a simple control group. COPPS can home-based test kit is important accelerate clinical development in managing pandemics, provid- for COVID-19 treatment with- ed the test is feasible with favor- out sacrificing scientific rigor of able sensitivity and specificity. the study. Next, to support Bay Area public health departments Panel Discussion and guide policies, Desai and Five panelists provided advice University of California, San and commentary in response to Francisco (UCSF) co-lead Adam COVID-19. They offered their Olshen led their team to devel- perspectives on the pandemic op predictive models to project and how scientists could help. In near-term hospital capacity. Using addition, several panelists gave SFASA’s panel discussion focused on COVID-19 and a parametric bootstrap approach, tips and shared personal stories to pandemic-related perspectives. they simulated the distribution for help the audience cope with this the worst day of COVID-19 to unprecedented situation. mask wearing, widespread test- estimate the probability of being ing, contact tracing, supported in a safe or more cautionary zone. Moderators: isolation and quarantine, and In another UCSF/Stanford • Cristina Tortora, San Jose vaccination. After enforcing collaboration, Desai worked with State University social distancing, universal Bay Area counties to estimate screening, centralized isolation, the prevalence and incidence of • Ling Shen, Vir Biotechnologies and quarantine in Wuhan, Rt COVID-19 in the Bay Area. To Panelists: was reduced to 0.27 by March accurately reflect the Bay Area, • Manisha Desai, Stanford 8 and there were zero con- a stratified random sampling University firmed cases on March 18. The scheme was developed based city was reopened on April 8. on two strata—county and risk • Steven Goodman, Stanford Lin’s group also developed a level—to mitigate the selection University useful visualization tool, Rt Map bias, where risk is estimated using (metrics.covid19-analysis.org), • Xihong Lin, Harvard machine learning approaches. It University that can be used for visualizing has been important to work with real-time country-level, US state- community-based organizations • Thomas Snyder, Adaptive level, and county-level Rt values to engage potential participants Biotechnologies to monitor the spread of the virus and mitigate nonresponse bias • David Zhang, MyoKardia at different resolutions. once the sample has been selected. Finally, Lin urged the audience Last, Desai and her colleagues to remain vigilant by keeping the Closing Remarks at Stanford University’s School of Ron Yu, SFASA past president, control measures and cautioned Medicine launched the COVID- of resurgence if preventive mea- concluded the event by thanking all 19 Outpatient Pragmatic the speakers, panelists, event orga- sures are lifted immaturely. Platform Study (COPPS). Under Manisha Desai, professor of nizers, and participants and wishing COPPS, treatment arms can be everyone a happy holiday season. n medicine and biomedical data added or dropped throughout science at Stanford University, the study period, allowing viral took part in four critical COVID- or clinical endpoints (as defined 19 initiatives. First, she served as in the sub-protocol) to be adap- co-PI to evaluate the impact of tive, flexible, and effective at

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Text Analysis Interest Group Recaps First Full Year

Lourenco Miranda, Mike he ASA’s Text Analysis Porath, and May Yamada- Interest Group (TAIG) Lifton has had a productive first Tfull year. TAIG brings together • “Natural Language individuals and groups who have Processing Applications an active interest in text analysis, in Defense and National text mining, natural language Security” topic-contributed processing, and related areas of session with presenta- research at their intersection with tions by Svitlana Volkova, statistics. It works to increase Richard Field, Lauren awareness of statistical commu- Phillips, and Kelly nity in tools and methods of text Townsend and discussion analysis, promote text analysis as by David Marchette Tommy Jones, and Tian Zheng an integral part of modern statis- The group also held a vir- presenting. A topic-contributed tics education, and involve statis- tual presentation competition session, “Statistical Approaches in ticians in research in text analysis. in two categories—student and Text Analysis,” is being organized The group was formed in professional—with the interest by Jordan Rodu, with Qiuyi Wu, 2019. In 2020, it had a full group officers serving as judges. Michael Crotty, Daniel Fortin, slate of officers: Stas Kolenikov The professional category award and Jordan Rodu presenting. Also (founder and 2020 chair, 2021 winner was Enshuo Hsu and planned is a short course on text past chair), Kelly Zou (2020 team from The University of analysis by Karl Pazdernik. chair-elect, 2021 chair), Carol Texas Medical Branch for their In the fall of 2020, TAIG held Haney (2020/2021 secretary- presentation, “Combination of elections for two offices: chair and treasurer), Jordan Rodu (2020 Optical Character Recognition program chair. David Banks was program chair-elect, 2021 pro- and Natural Language Processing elected as 2021 chair-elect (2022 gram chair), Tommy Jones (web- to Identify Patients with Sleep chair), and Brandon Sepulvado master), and Qiuyi Wu (student Apnea in EHR Data.” The student was elected as the 2021 program representative). The officers met category award winner was Qiuyi chair-elect (2022 program chair). eight times throughout 2020. Wu of the University of Rochester The group is exploring the At JSM 2020, held virtually, for her presentation, “Naive possibility of collaborating with the group had a full program, Dictionary on Musical Corpora: other ASA sections, such as the co-sponsoring a total of 22 ses- From Knowledge Representation Section on Statistical Computing sions. The three sessions devot- to Pattern Recognition.” Each and Section on Statistical ed entirely to text analysis were award was accompanied by a $500 Learning and Data Science, as the following: check to the presenting author. well as with external organiza- • “Statistics of Social Media” TAIG also held a business tions. Also, the group has an invited session with presen- meeting and social hour on Zoom agreement with Data Science tations by Emilio Zagheni on the last day of JSM. The officers DC for the JSM 2020 presenta- and Juha Alho and discus- talked about official business of the tion award winners to give their sion by Frauke Kreuter group, and then everyone chatted talks at their fora. about the prospects of the group In 2021, the group plans to • “Big Data, Technology and interesting developments in offer a webinar to help other statis- Platform and Digital the text analysis field. ticians familiarize themselves with Innovation with Preparations are underway for text analysis as a research area. For Measurable Impact” topic- JSM 2021. An invited session, more information about the group contributed panel orga- titled “Words and Insights via community.amstat. nized by Kelly Zou with or to join, visit n panelists Siddhartha Dalal, Text Analysis,” was accepted. It org/taig. Mike Henderson, Joe is organized by Kelly Zou, with Imperato, Stas Kolenikov, Mike Baiocchi, Mike Henderson,

march 2021 amstat news 41 section • chapter • committee news

anniversary CELEBRATING THE EARLY YEARS (1966–1990) Richard C. Zink, Lexitas Pharma Services, and Meijing Wu, AbbVie ver its long history, the Biopharmaceutical (BIOP) Section has fostered community and created a shared sense of purpose among Ostatisticians in the medical product industry. The year 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of BIOP. It is a time to reflect on how the section has grown from its hum- ble roots, a time to celebrate the activities and accom- plishments of the section as it seeks to support its members, and a time to envision how the section will continue to lead the way to address the challenges of medical product development in the 21st century. In the mid-to-late 1950s, thalidomide was shown to be well-tolerated, effective as a sedative, and effective as an anti-nausea medication for pregnant women suffering from morning sickness. Despite claims that thalidomide was a nontoxic medication, with no side effects, and completely safe for pregnant women, the drug became associated with instances of periph- W. Gulyas, Martha S. Hearron, Stacy R. Lindborg, eral neurosis and its ability to cause birth defects, Robert O’Neill, and Charles B. Sampson in “The according to John Frisbee in his 1990 article, History of the Biopharmaceutical Section of the “Thalidomide,” published in the Encyclopedia of American Statistical Association (ASA) 1966–1988,” Women’s Health. The thalidomide disaster in other published in Biopharmaceutical Report in 2005. countries led to the 1962 Kefauver-Harris amend- A formal group was initially discussed in 1966 at ments of the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act the ASA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. Spencer M. in the United States. Notable authorities granted to Free, in “Some History for the Biopharmaceutical the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by Section,” published in The American Statistician this act include the following: in 1990, recalled the individuals present identified five professional organizations that could serve as • The requirement that manufacturers prove a home for the new group. Over time, the choic- effectiveness of drugs prior to marketing and es narrowed to the ASA and Drug Information disclose safety issues after marketing Association (DIA). Eventually, the Pharmaceutical Steering Committee (PSC) petitioned to join as the • The requirement that evidence be generated by Pharmaceutical Subsection of the Biometrics Section adequate and well-controlled clinical studies of the ASA in 1968. The name was quickly changed to the Biopharmaceutical Subsection (BPSS) to • The mandate to review medications approved help distinguish the group from the Pharmaceutical between 1938–1962 Manufacturers Association. BPSS was successful, and it quickly grew from 100 These new requirements necessitated the hiring of statisticians in 1966 to approximately 1,500 in 1979. a large number of statisticians, the development of Not surprisingly, the need for full section status was statistical departments within pharmaceutical com- raised by the mid-1970s, and it involved many of the panies, and the training of statisticians about top- same culprits we see today in the birth of new sec- ics in the health care field. These statisticians found tions: an active and large group, an ever-increasing themselves in need of a professional venue to develop scope of topics, the need for greater influence, the and share methodology and promote the field, accord- realization that there were potential fellows in BPSS ing to Robert L. Davis, S. Michael Free, Stephen who were not receiving proper consideration, and the

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increased frustration over space and visibility at con- edited by Karl E. Peace. The section has a formalized ferences and meetings. process for forming scientific working groups today. The year-long effort of petitioning the membership BIOP held its first symposium in 1985, titled, of BPSS, the Biometrics Section (generally opposed to “Long-Term Animal Carcinogenicity Studies: A the split), and the larger ASA began in 1979. Both sides Statistical Perspective.” The section would eventu- MORE ONLINE presented their arguments at the February 1, 1980, ally go on to sponsor the annual Regulatory-Industry A list of past board of directors meeting and a subsequent vote was Statistics Workshop (RISW) and biennial Nonclinical chairs from initial committee through in favor of the new section. A letter dated February 8 Biostatistics Conference (NCB). the first 10 years of from ASA Executive Director Fred Leone to the cur- The year 1986 saw the first BIOP-sponsored the section can be rent chair, past chair, and chair-elect of the Biometrics short course, “Fundamentals in Clinical Trials.” found at magazine. amstat.org.

Section stated the question of full section status would BIOP-sponsored short courses are a regular feature be added to the national ballot in May of 1980. at the Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM), RISW, and The new Biopharmaceutical Section would come NCB today. into existence on January 1, 1980, if 500 ASA members In 1987, a fellows committee was created to help agreed to join. The Biopharmaceutical Section became support BIOP members interested in achieving this the eighth section after Biometrics (1938), Statistics and distinction; this committee exists today and recently Data Science Education (1948), Business and Economic published an article in Amstat News (bit.ly/2Nd7su8). Statistics (1950), Social Statistics (1953), Physical BIOP celebrated the ASA’s sesquicentennial (150th and Engineering Sciences (1954), Statistical Computing anniversary) in 1989 and continues to celebrate (1972), and Survey Research Methods (1978). important ASA milestones today (see bit.ly/3ju8Hkq). Two notable events occurred early in the first These earlier years were foundational in starting decade (1981–1990). The first edition of Statistics BIOP on a path to offering many of the services and in the Pharmaceutical Industry, edited by C. Ralph activities members now enjoy. Buncher and Jia-Yeong Tsay, was published in 1981. There are numerous activities in the works for Second, a reorganization occurred at FDA to form the 2021. Panel discussions among past chairs are Center for Drugs and Biologics. Both events would planned for both JSM in Seattle, Washington, and go a long way toward clarifying the role of the profes- RISW in Rockville, Maryland. The mixer during sional statistician in the medical product industry and the open business meeting at JSM and the mixer at strengthening the relationships between industry and RISW will feature food, fun, and reminiscing. The regulatory statisticians, according to Davis et al. Biopharmaceutical Report (bit.ly/BIOPRep) will feature The first decade also saw the beginnings of many of four quarterly articles highlighting the activities and the activities and policies still around today. For exam- successes of BIOP over 10-year increments. Finally, be ple, the Manual of Operations, which details the roles on the lookout for activities and podcasts broadcast and responsibilities for section officers and commit- through ASA Connect throughout the year. While we tees was developed in 1983; it continues to be updated are planning for in-person activities, we will adapt as annually. Further, a series of 12 working groups were needed due to any lingering safety concerns surround- formed on various topics specific to the medical prod- ing COVID-19. uct industry. Their work would eventually be published To learn about more recent section history, visit the as Statistical Issues in Drug Research and Development, History page on the BIOP website at bit.ly/3rzEYJF. n

march 2021 amstat news 43 section • chapter • committee news sectionnews Survey Research Methods Among the Young Investigator Award seven years ago and who is in a The Survey Research Methods Section winners, the Breslow Award further position with rank below associate (SRMS) is seeking webinar topics. If recognizes the top paper. professor and does not hold tenure (or equivalent classification). (bit. you have an idea for a webinar you SIE presents the 2021 Young ly/37mDQBG) would like to see offered or one you Investigator Award to the following would like to give, submit it to SRMS individuals: The first two of these awards carry a Education Officer Daniell Toth at • Runzhe Wan, North Carolina $250 cash prize, while the third carries [email protected]. Informal pro- State University (Breslow Award a $500 cash prize. posals are welcome. Winner) The deadline for nominations is May 15. Any inquiries and all award SRMS provides free access to the • Eric Cohn, Harvard University JSM Proceedings for the entire history of nominations should be submitted to the Survey Research Methods Section • Wei Hao, University of Michigan [email protected]. (1978–2019), as well as the JSM Information will also be • Raphael Morsomme, Duke Proceedings from the Social Statistics posted on the section blog at University Section (from which our section sepa- tshsblog.wixsite.com/main. n rated in 1978) from 1958–1977 and • Lili Wu, North Carolina State all five International Conference on University Biometrics Establishment Surveys (ICES) meet- This year’s David P. Byar Early Career An awards ceremony will be held Award goes to Aaron Hudson from the ings (1993–2016). Some of these years at this year’s JSM in Seattle. The loca- are prior to the electronic proceedings University of Washington Department tion and time of the ceremony will be of Biostatistics for the paper, “Honest available through the ASA (2009– announced on the section’s website today); the section scanned all earlier Uncertainty Quantification for Infinite- (community.amstat.org/sie/home) and in Dimensional Risk Minimizers via the papers as a service to survey research- the JSM program. n ers. The 2020 JSM Proceedings will be Restricted Gradient Test.” added soon. To access the proceedings Teaching of Statistics in the Paper award winners for JSM 2021 page, click on “Proceedings” on the Health Sciences are the following: top of the section’s new homepage (bit. • Hunyong Cho from The ly/3tBAd4k) or proceed directly to bit. The Teaching of Statistics in the Health University of North Carolina for ly/39WHdAZ. Sciences Section is accepting nomi- the paper, “Multi-Stage Optimal SRMS has an active discussion board nations for the following three major Dynamic Treatment Regimes within the ASA Community pages at awards in 2021: for Survival Outcomes with community.amstat.org/home. Members • The Distinguished Achievement Dependent Censoring” receive these posts in their electronic Award recognizes a section member who has provided outstanding • Chan Park from the University of mailboxes, so they are a good way to Wisconsin-Madison for the paper, reach your community. Exploring the long-term service to TSHS and the ASA. (bit.ly/2NApIgS) “Analysis of Cluster Randomized rest of the ASA Community pages can Trials of Infectious Diseases: Effect also be rewarding. • The Outstanding Teaching Heterogeneity, Noncompliance, SRMS is also on Twitter with the han- Award recognizes an outstand- and Spillover Effects” dle @srmsasa (twitter.com/srmsasa). The ing statistics educator and men- section now has more than 600 followers. tor in the health sciences. (bit. • Kalins Banerjee from The Look for a mid-week tweet 2–3 times per ly/3psAEe2) Pennsylvania State University month with upcoming news and events. for the paper, “An Adaptive and Follow us and send us your news to share • The Young Investigator Award Powerful Multivariate Test for with the SRMS membership and survey recognizes a promising “young Microbiome Association Analysis via Feature Selection” researchers everywhere. n investigator” for their promise as a statistics educator or in conduct- • Arielle Marks-Anglin Statistics in Epidemiology ing statistics education research from the in the health sciences. A young University of Pennsylvania for The Section on Statistics in investigator is defined as (i) a cur- the paper, “Surrogate-Assisted Epidemiology (SIE) grants annual rent graduate student OR (ii) a Sampling for Cost-Efficient young investigator awards to new recent graduate who received their Validation of Electronic Health researchers for the best papers in statis- terminal degree no more than Record Outcomes” n tics in epidemiology presented at JSM.

44 amstat news march 2021 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 following receipt. Kentucky Listings are shown alphabetically by state, followed by international listings. Vacancy n The University of Kentucky Markey listings may include the institutional name and address or be identified by number, Cancer Center seeks candidates for a as desired. tenure-track faculty position at the level Professional Opportunities vacancies also will be published on the ASA’s website of Assistant Professor with strong back- (www.amstat.org). Vacancy listings will appear on the website for the entire calendar ground in bioinformatics, such as sta- month. Ads may not be placed for publication in the magazine only; all ads will be tistical and computational methods for published both electronically and in print. single cell sequencing, immuno-oncology, circular RNA profiling, microbiome, These listings and additional information about the 65-word ads can be found at metabolomics and ‘omics integration. ww2.amstat.org/ads. For a detailed position description and to Employers are expected to acknowledge all responses resulting from publication of apply, please visit the search site https:// their ads. Personnel advertising is accepted with the understanding that the adver- ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/307521 . EOE tiser does not discriminate among applicants on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin, handicap, or sexual orientation. Also, look for job ads on the ASA website at https://jobs.amstat.org/jobseekers. New York n Syracuse University invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Sport Management/ Analytics with focus on Machine Learning, Python, and R. (Tenure eligible). Qualifications: An earned doctorate in data science, analytics, statistics, mathematics, economics, finance or a related discipline. Responsibilities: Primary duties include, but are not limited to, undergraduate and potential graduate instruction in the Sport Analytics degree programs. Please apply to www.sujobopps.com Job#075036. AA/EOE.

Pennsylvania n The Wharton Department of Statistics at the University of Pennsylvania seeks to hire full-time or part-time lecturers for the 2021–2022 academic year. Excellence in teaching is the primary criteria for the position. Applicants must have outstanding communication skills, along with a degree from an accredited institution; a PhD is preferred. Please visit our website to apply: https://statistics.wharton.upenn. edu/recruiting/lecturerpositions. Any questions may be sent to stat.lecturer. [email protected]. EOE n

march 2021 amstat news 45 Williams College

The Williams College Department of Mathematics and Statistics invites applications for a one- year visiting position in statistics, to begin fall 2021. Candidates should have earned a Ph.D. in statistics, bio-statistics, or a related field by summer, 2021, or be currently in a program to complete the Ph.D. by 2022. We will consider candidates with any area of statistical expertise.

Visiting Assistant Professors are asked to teach four courses per year on our 12-week semes- ter schedule, advise several undergraduate student colloquia (our capstone experience for seniors), and make small contributions to service activities in the department. This set of professional duties provides a window into the experience of being a statistician in a liberal-arts setting.

Our department oﬀers a vibrant undergraduate program with majors in mathematics (including an applied mathematics emphasis) and in statistics. For more information, see https:// math.williams.edu. The multidisciplinary environment is a rich and collegial setting for student education and faculty research. Williams College provides the opportunity to apply for student research assistant support, a standard, annual allocation of funds to support trav- el and research, and a shared computer cluster for parallel computation. Visiting Assistant HAVE YOU Professors are also eligible to participate in the college’s comprehensive First Three professional development program (https://faculty-networks.williams.edu/networking-opportunities).

MOVED? Approximately one hour from the Albany, NY airport, Williams College is located in Williamstown, a thriving destination proximate to three major art museums and access to Log in to your theater, music, and dance festivals, community supported agriculture farms, a highly-rated ASA account public school system, and many other resources. and update your In accord with the institution’s values, our department’s faculty embody diversity in many key ways, and we value diversity while continually striving for greater inclusivity. We encour- address at age applications from members of underrepresented groups with respect to gender, race and https://goo.g/h. ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability status, socioeconomic background, and other HAVE YOU axes of diversity. MOVED? Applications should be submitted via Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/82160 Your application should include the following components. Log in to your 1) Please provide a cover letter. This letter might describe your interest in Williams and ASA account in the liberal arts, and provide a brief summary of your professional experience and future goals. We ask you to address how your teaching, scholarship, mentorship and/or and update your community service might support Williams’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. address at https://goo.g/h. 2) Please provide a current curriculum vitae. 3) Please provide a teaching statement that addresses your teaching philosophy, experience, and other reflections or relevant information you would like to share.

4) Please have at least three recommenders submit letters of recommendation. If possible, at least one of these letters should comment on your experience as a teaching assistant or on any other instructional capacities in which you have served.

If you have questions about this position, contact search committee chair Richard De Veaux ([email protected]). Review of applications will begin on or after January 15, 2021 and will continue until the positions are filled. All oﬀers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background check. Further information is available at https://faculty.williams. edu/prospective-faculty/background-check-policy.

Williams College is a coeducational liberal arts institution located in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. The college has built its reputation on outstanding teaching and scholarship and on the academic excellence of its approximately 2,000 students. Please visit the Williams College website (http://www.williams.edu). Beyond meeting fully its legal ob- ligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive.

46 amstat news march 2021 AMSTATNEWS ADVERTISING DIRECTORY

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march 2021 amstat news 47 SOCIAL CHATTER Statisticians, what would you most like to learn that has nothing to do with statistics?

FOLLOW US Philip Hastings • @farharbor_phil Setting aside the idea that the fabric of the uni- community. amstat.org verse is probabilistic: how to tango.

Matt Hayat • @matthew_hayat www.facebook. com/AmstatNews I watch my cats relax every day and want to learn how to chill to such an extreme.

@AmstatNews Jasmine A. Mack • @Jasamack I really enjoy learning about astronomy, space Tricia Carlin Bahnsen www.instagram is cool. .com/AmstatNews How to fly a helicopter Scarlett Bellamy • @ScarlettBellamy Nandini Banerjee Carpentry/furniture making! Equity and Social Justice

Holly Hartman • @holly7holly Eric J. Daza I’d love to learn languages. Chinese and NEXT MONTH : the nature of consciousness Spanish especially. Tell us! Statisticians, what is your theme Rob Santos • @_Rob_Santos song for today? ok I think that is a trick question! I can’t think of learning anything that could not involve or be enhanced by statistics! Rob’s axiom: (X + Statistics) > X, where X = anything

Andrew Ekstrom • @AndrewEkstrom2 Learn to play my 10 string guitar and 7 string bass with the skill and creativity of the folks in Opeth, Meshuggah, Devin Townsend, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Dream Theater, etc.

48 amstat news march 2021

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