ASA Member News Archive
ASA Member News November 2008
Welcome to the November edition of ASA Member News, the ASA's monthly e-newsletter.
STATbit
Did you know the ASA offers three levels of Life Membership? These levels were designed to meet the varying needs of our prospective members.
In Amstat News
In this month’s President’s Corner, Peter A. Lachenbruch asks former ASA Presidents Bob Mason and Mike O’Fallon to reminisce about their terms.
Also, ASA Director of Science Policy Steve Pierson was pleased to invite Rep. Bill Foster to write a guest column. In an address before an audience of industry, academia, and science groups that advocate for more federal research funding, Foster mentioned the need for a better understanding of statistics in Congress. His specific example was the supply of world oil, an estimate that typically comes with no mention of its uncertainty. His understanding of the need for statistics in policymaking and his experience as a PhD scientist recently elected to public office make him an ideal guest columnist.
Upcoming Deadlines
CALL FOR ASA DEMING LECTURESHIP NOMINATIONS – Deadline: December 7, 2008
The Deming Lecturer Award was established in 1995 to honor the accomplishments of W. Edwards Deming, recognize the accomplishments of the awardee, and enhance awareness among the statistical community of the scope and importance of Deming’s contributions. The awardee will give the Deming Lecture (an invited paper) at the Joint Statistical Meetings and receive a $1,000 honorarium, an award plaque, and travel expenses.
NEW NSF PROGRAM SOLICITATION – Deadline: December 16, 2008
CHE-DMR-DMS Solar Energy Initiative (SOLAR), a new NSF program solicitation, is now available. The deadline for preliminary proposals (required) is December 16, 2008. The deadline for full proposals is March 9, 2009.
AAAS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY POLICY FELLOWSHIPS – Deadline: December 15, 2008
The AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships help to establish and nurture critical links between federal decision makers and scientific professionals to support public policy that benefits the well-being of the nation and planet. The fellowships support the AAAS objectives of improving public policymaking through the infusion of science and increasing public understanding of science and technology. They are part of AAAS’ Science & Policy Programs.
HEALTH POLICY FELLOWSHIP – Deadline: January 5, 2009
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and AcademyHealth are seeking applications for their 2009 Health Policy Fellowship. The aim of the fellowship is to foster collaboration between NCHS staff and visiting scholars. The fellowship allows scholars to conduct new and innovative analyses and participate in developmental and health policy activities related to the design and content of future NCHS surveys. It also offers access to the data resources provided by the CDC.
THE 2009 DON OWEN AWARD CALL FOR NOMINATIONS – Deadline: February 1, 2009
The San Antonio Chapter is accepting nominations for the 2009 Don Owen Award from ASA chapters nationwide. Nominees must be a member of the ASA, but are not required to be a member of the nominating chapter. The San Antonio Chapter presents the Don Owen Award to a statistician who embodies the three-fold accomplishments of Donald B. Owen. Owen’s illustrious career serves as the ideal against which nominees are evaluated for excellence in research, statistical consultation, and service to the statistical community. The sponsor of this award is Taylor & Francis.
CALL FOR ASA FELLOW NOMINATIONS – Deadline: March 3, 2009
Becoming an ASA Fellow is one of the highest honors bestowed by our organization. On behalf of the ASA, members of the Committee on Fellows strongly encourage the nomination of deserving members for the ASA Fellow Award. They also encourage ASA chapters, sections, and committees to search for and nominate deserving members from their respective constituencies.
FOUNDERS AWARD NOMINATIONS CALL – Deadline: March 15, 2009
In 1988, the ASA Board of Directors voted to establish the ASA Founders Award to recognize members who have rendered distinguished service to the association. Individual(s) selected will have served the association for an extended period of time, usually in a variety of leadership roles such as, but not limited to, section, chapter, committee, editorial, or officer capacities wherein effective service or leadership was provided within the ASA or through ASA outreach to other organizations.
NOMINATIONS FOR W. J. YOUDEN AWARD – Deadline: March 15, 2009
Nominations are being accepted for the 2009 W. J. Youden Award in Interlaboratory Testing, sponsored by the American Statistical Association. This award was established in 1985 to recognize publications that make outstanding contributions to the design and/or analysis of interlaboratory tests or describe ingenious approaches to the planning and evaluation of data from such tests. The award recipient(s) will receive a certificate and a share of a $1,000 prize.
WILKS MEMORIAL MEDAL NOMINATIONS – Deadline: April 1, 2009
The 2009 Samuel S. Wilks Memorial Medal Committee invites members to submit nominations for this award, to be presented at the 2009 annual meetings in August. The award consists of a medal, citation, and honorarium.
BRYANT SCHOLARSHIP NOMINATIONS – Deadline: April 1, 2009
The Edward C. Bryant Scholarship for Outstanding Graduate Student in Survey Statistics is awarded each August at the Joint Statistical Meetings. The winner receives a certificate and $1,500 prize.
NOMINATIONS FOR AWARD OF OUTSTANDING STATISTICAL APPLICATION – Deadline: April 1, 2009
The Award of Outstanding Statistical Application was established in 1986 to recognize a paper that is an outstanding application of statistics in any substantive field. The award will be presented at the Joint Statistical Meetings in August.
NOMINATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE IN STATISTICAL REPORTING AWARD – Deadline: April 15, 2009
The Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award is given to encourage and recognize members of the communications media who have best displayed an informed interest in the science of statistics and its role in public life. The award can be given for a single statistical presentation or for sustained worthy contributions, as would clearly be a credit to the statistical profession.
Events Outlook
NEW WEB-BASED TRAINING SERIES FROM THE BIOPHARMACEUTICAL SECTION
Bioequivalence
Scott Patterson (Wyeth) and Byron Jones (Pfizer)
December 10, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - Noon (Eastern Time)
Classical Sample-Size Analysis for Hypothesis Testing (Part I)
Ralph O’Brien (Case Western Reserve University)
January 29, 2009, Noon - 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Classical Sample-Size Analysis for Hypothesis Testing (Part II)
Ralph O’Brien (Case Western Reserve University)
February 12, 2009, Noon - 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
If you have any questions, please contact Rick Peterson.
64TH DEMING CONFERENCE ON APPLIED STATISTICS – Atlantic City, New Jersey – December 8–12, 2008
The 64th Deming Conference will be held December 8–12, 2008, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. There will be a total of 12 half-day tutorial sessions based on recently published books running parallel for the first three days (December 8–10). The conference will continue with two two-day short courses on December 11 and 12. Books used for the tutorial sessions and short courses will be sold at appreciable discounts. An exhibition of books about applied statistics will be held during the conference. This conference is sponsored by the ASA’s Biopharmaceutical Section and the ASQ’s Metropolitan Section.
SYMPOSIUM ON STATISTICAL METHODS – Atlanta, Georgia – April 7–8, 2009
Statisticians, social and behavioral scientists, epidemiologists, economists, policy analysts, and other health researchers are invited to participate in the Twelfth Biennial Symposium on Statistical Methods, to be held in Decatur, Georgia (Atlanta metropolitan area). The symposium is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Statistical Association. The theme is “Info-Fusion: Utilization of Multi-Source Data.” In conjunction with the symposium, short courses will be offered on April 6, 2009. Abstracts will be considered for either oral or poster presentations and must be submitted no later than December 15, 2008.
TIES NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL MEETING – Corvallis, Oregon – June 16–19, 2009
The North American Region of the International Environmetrics Society
(TIES) will hold its biennial meeting in Corvallis, Oregon, June 16–19, 2009. The theme of the meeting is “Measuring, Monitoring, and Modeling Environmental Resources.” Submissions covering any aspect of measuring, monitoring, or modeling an environmental resource are encouraged. For further information, contact Don Stevens.
24TH INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON STATISTICAL MODELING – Ithaca, New York – July 20–24, 2009
The 24th International Workshop on Statistical Modeling will be held at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, July 20–24, 2009. The deadline for abstract submission is February 13, 2009.
2009 FDA/INDUSTRY STATISTICS WORKSHOP - Washington, DC - September 24–25, 2009
The 2009 workshop will be held at the Capitol Hilton in Washington, DC. Please join statisticians from industry, academia, and the FDA for two days of sessions focused on the science and statistics associated with the development of medical products (pharmaceuticals, biologics, and devices). Additional short courses will be available on September 23, 2009.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Statistical events are happening around the country and the globe. View our Upcoming Events Calendar.
@amstat.org
STATISTICS IN DEFENSE AND NATIONAL SECURITY (SDNS) UNIVERSITY SPEAKERS PROGRAM
Have you ever wondered what kind of statistical research helps keep our nation safe from biological attacks or helps officials understand terrorist networks? Are you interested in learning what a defense statistician’s job is like and what kinds of problems they face? The ASA Section on Statistics in Defense and National Security (SDNS) has implemented a speakers program so experienced researchers can help answer these questions and others. Statisticians working in defense and security are available to come speak at your college or university to describe their work and share their enthusiasm for this important field.
Special Opportunities
ASA SEEKS EDITOR FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND DATA MINING
The American Statistical Association invites applications and nominations for the position of editor of Statistical Analysis and Data Mining. Published by the ASA in partnership with Wiley-Blackwell, Statistical Analysis and Data Mining addresses the general area of data analysis: data mining algorithms, statistical analysis, and stakeholder applications. The editor’s responsibilities for this recently launched publication will include building the journal and its reputation, while planning a strategy for its success. The new editor will work with the current editors on a transition team beginning in the spring of 2009, and will serve from 2010 through 2012. Applications should include a curriculum vitae and a statement describing the nominee’s qualifications and how they will contribute to the journal’s continued growth and success. The editor should possess relevant professional competence, experience, and reputation, as well as openness to new disciplines and a genuine commitment to collaborate across them. Send applications or nominations to Carey Priebe, search committee chair. Review of applications will begin on January 23, 2009.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND DATING MINING CALL FOR PAPERS
Wiley-Blackwell and the American Statistical Association have entered into a new, cooperative publishing agreement for the journal Statistical Analysis and Data Mining. Under terms of the agreement, the ASA and Wiley-Blackwell will cooperate in the development of the journal’s editorial policy and scope.
COPSS 2009 AWARDS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
The Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies (COPSS) Awards are jointly sponsored by the American Statistical Association; the Institute of Mathematical Statistics; the International Biometric Society, ENAR; the International Biometric Society, WNAR; and the Statistical Society of Canada. Nominations are now being accepted for COPSS 2009 awards, including the R. A. Fisher Lectureship, the Florence Nightingale David Award, the Elizabeth L. Scott Award, the George W. Snedecor Award, and the Presidents’ Award. Each award consists of a plaque, citation, and cash honorarium.
ASA TRAVEL GRANTS TO DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA, FOR THE 57TH SESSION OF ISI
The American Statistical Association has received funding from the National Science Foundation to support travel to Durban, South Africa, for the August 16–22, 2009, meeting of the International Statistical Institute (ISI). The grant will provide partial transportation assistance to individuals presenting papers or who have an official function at the ISI meeting. Newer faculty who have completed PhD requirements in 1996 or later, women, and minorities are especially encouraged to apply. Attendees must be members of ISI or one of its sections or an official representative of an invited organization. For additional information, contact isitravel@amstat.org. The application deadline is February 20, 2009.
ASA & NCHS RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The American Statistical Association, in cooperation with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), created the ASA & NCHS Research Fellowship Program to bridge the gap between academic scholars and government health research programs. Fellows work to solve methodological problems and study analytical issues relevant to NCHS programs, data, and facilities. Applicants should have a recognized research record and considerable expertise in the area of proposed research. For fullest consideration, fellowship applications are due by November 30; however, applications will be accepted throughout the year until the positions are filled.
BIANNUAL DATA EXPOSITION
Every other year during the Joint Statistical Meetings, the Graphics and Computing sections jointly sponsor a special poster session called The Data Exposition, more commonly known as The Data Expo. This year’s challenge is to analyze, summarize, and visualize flight on-time performance. There’s a lot of data—120 million flights over the last 20 years—but it should be of interest to statisticians given how often we get stuck in airports!
CYBER-ENABLED DISCOVERY AND INNOVATION (CDI)
The timelines and review process for the Cyber-Enabled Discovery and Innovation (CDI) solicitation are changing in 2009. A revised solicitation containing these changes will be posted shortly. These planned revisions reflect NSF’s experience with the first round of proposals received in response to the previous CDI solicitation.
MEMBER-GET-A-MEMBER CAMPAIGN
We know our current members are the best possible source for new members who could benefit from all the ASA has to offer. You depend on the ASA, and now we are counting on you to recruit members. Every time you recruit a member, you strengthen the ASA. For each new member you recruit, you will receive a $10 gift certificate good for any ASA product or service. You also will be entered into a drawing for the grand prize of your choice of either one free JSM registration or a free year of ASA membership!
TAKE A HOLIDAY FROM INTEREST PAYMENTS
Leave the interest payments behind this holiday season with the American Statistical Association VISA® Platinum Card, now offering 0% APR for 12 billing cycles! Wrap up great holiday memories with this unique card, knowing you’ll pay no interest until next winter. The American Statistical Association VISA is perfect for holiday shopping, but you need to switch now to save. Plus, you’ll benefit our organization and earn great rewards with every purchase! Hurry, offer ends December 31, 2008.
Feedback, comments, or suggestions are welcome please email asamail@amstat.org with your ideas.