ASA Member News Archive
ASA Member News December 2013
December 2013 Edition
Statistical Outreach & News
REPRESENTATIVE MCNERNEY HONORS ASA MEMBER
In a September speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Jim McNerney (D-CA) praised ASA member Genevera Allen for an important breakthrough in statistics and neuroscience research. Allen and colleagues developed statistical methods to model how an individual’s brain is wired and applied these methods to synesthesia—the process of associating specific colors with numbers and letters. This breakthrough is relevant to other neurological diseases, such as autism and Alzheimer’s, and demonstrates the vital role of statistics in neuroscience research. Click here to view McNerney’s speech.
ROTHWELL NAMED NCHS LEADER
Charles Rothwell is the new director of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), succeeding the retired Edward Sondik. Rothwell will direct a comprehensive program of statistical activities that monitor the health of the nation and produce information for research, policy, and programs. Previously, he was director of NCHS’s Division of Vital Statistics, where he led an effort to accelerate mortality reporting using new automated systems that allow for real-time surveillance. Rothwell is an ASA Fellow. Read the NCHS press release.
ASA MEMBER HONORED WITH PRESTIGIOUS PROFESSORSHIP
V.A. Samaranayake, professor of mathematics and statistics at Missouri University of Science and Technology and an ASA member, has been named Curators’ Teaching Professor of mathematics and statistics. The teaching professorship, established in 1990 by the University of Missouri system to reward outstanding professors, is the system’s highest honor. Read more.
LESTER R. CURTAIN AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCED
David M. Kline, a graduate student in the PhD biostatistics program at The Ohio State University, was announced as the first Lester R. Curtain award winner on Dec. 1. The Lester R. Curtin Award was established recently to help promising young health statisticians get the skills and training they need to make significant contributions in their area of study. The award was created to honor the memory of Lester, or "Randy," and his long career of working tirelessly to teach and mentor his colleagues at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Learn more about the award.
U.S. STATISTICAL AGENCIES HOLD STATISTICS2013 SYMPOSIUM
More than a dozen U.S. federal statistical agencies hosted a symposium November 13–14 in Washington that highlighted the variety of federal statistics and numerous statistical careers available in the public sector. The Symposium of the U.S. Statistical Agencies, part of the celebration of the International Year of Statistics, was held at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. During the two-day symposium, attendees learned about federal statistical agencies, the range of statistics each produces, and how to pursue a career as a government statistician.
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Meetings, Education, & Events
2014 ASA CONFERENCE ON STATISTICAL PRACTICE – Tampa, FL – February 20–22, 2014
The 2014 Conference on Statistical Practice in Tampa will bring together data analysts, researchers, scientists, and other statistical practitioners who engage in the application of statistics to solve real-world problems on a daily basis. In addition to concurrent sessions, career placement services, and a mentoring program, the conference will feature nine short courses and four tutorials that focus on the latest statistical methodologies, statistical designs, and analysis. Spaces in these courses are limited to ensure a dynamic learning environment. Register by January 2 to secure your seat and take advantage of the discounted rates!
SIAM CONFERENCE ON UNCERTAINTY QUANTIFICATION (UQ14) – Savannah, GA – March 31–April 3, 2014
UQ14 will bring together mathematicians, statisticians, scientists, and engineers with an interest in the development and implementation of uncertainty quantification methods. The goal is to provide a forum for sharing ideas and enhance communication among this diverse group of technical experts, thereby contributing to future advances in the field. The conference is being held in cooperation with the American Statistical Association, GAMM Activity Group on Uncertainty Quantification, and American Geophysical Union. Instructions for participating and more are available on the website.
2014 ASA BIOPHARMACEUTICAL SECTION FDA-INDUSTRY STATISTICS WORKSHOP – Washington, DC – September 22–24, 2014
The ASA Biopharmaceutical Section FDA-Industry Statistics Workshop is sponsored by the ASA Biopharmaceutical Section in cooperation with the FDA Statistical Association. Each year, the conference offers two days of invited sessions co-chaired by statisticians from industry, academia, and the FDA. In addition, short courses on related topics are offered the day prior to the workshop. Conference attendance is limited to 800 participants. Online proposals for roundtables will open January 6.
2014 JOINT STATISTICAL MEETING- Boston, MA – August 2–7
This year, the Boston Exhibit and Convention Center will host the annual JSM. Meeting activities include oral presentations, panel sessions, poster presentations, continuing education courses, an exhibit hall, and career placement services. Abstract submissions are being accepted through February 3.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Statistical events are happening around the country and the globe. View our Upcoming Events Calendar.
Off the Press
AMSTAT NEWS
PSTAT AND YOU?
Three longtime members of the ASA share their thoughts about PStat accreditation. Jeri Mulrow is acting deputy director for the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, a federal statistical agency within the National Science Foundation. Sam Gardner is a senior research scientist at Eli Lilly and Company, but was employed at SAS Institute when he received accreditation. John Bailer is distinguished professor and chair of the department of statistics at Miami University. Read their thoughts here.
SIGNIFICANCE MAGAZINE ONLINE WEB EXCLUSIVES
NEW CARDIOVASCULAR RISK CALCUALTOR IS TOO RISKY
Do you know your chance of developing cancer? Diabetes? Osteoporosis? If not, there is a risk calculator on the web that claims it can tell you. Individualized risk calculators have proliferated in recent decades, and as medicine becomes increasingly personalized, their growth is likely to continue. Currently, clinical prediction tools do not require government approval, and it is left to the tool’s creators to decide when it is ready for prime time. Read more.
Read more web exclusives from Significance.
STATISTICS TEACHER NETWORK (STN) ISSUE 81 ONLINE!
The Statistics Teacher Network (STN) is a free newsletter published by the ASA/NCTM Joint Committee on Curriculum in Statistics and Probability for Grades K–12. Issue 82 of STN is online.
Member Opportunities
ASA ACCREDITATION PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW
ASA accreditation is a portfolio-based credential available to only ASA members. It is completely voluntary and intended for those who think such a credential would be meaningful in their professional lives. View the list of accredited members and learn more.
ASA’S GOT TALENT
In celebration of the ASA’s 175th anniversary, we bring to you ASA’s Got Talent, a talent competition! Contestants can submit a five-minute or shorter audition video for a chance to perform LIVE at JSM 2014 in Boston. Entries must have a statistical theme, and contestants must be ASA members. Look for contest details at www.amstat.org/asa175/talentshow. Any questions can be directed to Talent@amstat.org.
SECTION ON STATISTICAL LEARNING AND DATA MINING JSM 2014 STUDENT PAPER COMPETITION
ASA AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES
2014 STUDENT INTERNSHIP LISTING
FREE LESSON PLANS FOR K–12 TEACHERS AVAILABLE ON STATISTICS EDUCATION WEB
Feedback, comments, or suggestions are welcome please email asamail@amstat.org with your ideas.