This year marks the 20th annual presentation of the Jeanne E. Griffith award and the 14th year the Government Statistics Section has managed the award process. For the second time in the award’s history, there are two recipients: Montserrat Garcia-Closas, deputy director of the division of cancer epidemiology and genetics at the National Cancer Institute, and Barry Graubard, senior investigator of the biostatistics branch at the National Cancer Institute.

Both were chosen for their outstanding mentoring and will be honored during a virtual ceremony hosted by the Interagency Council on Statistical Policy and an in-person celebration during the annual holiday party hosted by the Washington Statistical Society.

Montserrat Garcia-Closas

Montserrat Garcia-Closas

Garcia-Closas, who also serves as the director of the National Cancer Institute Trans-Divisional Research Program, is a world-renowned leader who has done multidisciplinary research in the molecular epidemiology of breast cancer and risk prediction. She has mentored many junior scientists, particularly statisticians and data scientists, but also classical epidemiologists, encouraging them to address problems by integrating different approaches and data elements.

Garcia-Closas has made a major impact on the careers of many who have come through the division of cancer epidemiology and genetics for training. Her letter writers included pre-doctoral fellows, post-doctoral fellows, young investigators and branch chiefs, all attesting to her mentoring generosity.

Garcia-Closas embodies the spirit of the Jeanne E Griffith Mentoring Award, as she mentors at the individual level but also leverages her leadership role to create the next generation of quantitative scientists in emerging areas of research.

Barry Graubard

Barry Graubard

A long-time government statistician, Barry Graubard is a gifted researcher who focuses on developing statistical methods for efficiently using complex sample designs in cancer surveillance and epidemiology. He is a fellow of American Statistical Association and American Association for the Advancement of Science, as well as a recipient of the Mentoring Award from the ASA and National Cancer Institute.

Graubard’s commitment to mentoring stands out in every letter of support in his nomination package. His philosophy of mentoring was echoed by all: Barry is extraordinarily accessible and exceedingly generous with his time.

Another aspect that stands out is his commitment to the progress of fellows beyond their training period.

Graubard, with his sustained efforts throughout his tenure in the federal government, is highly deserving of the Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award.

The Award

The Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring award honors Griffith, who died in 2001 after working for more than 25 years in the federal statistical system. The award acknowledges supervisors; technical directors; team coordinators; or other members of federal, state, or local government statistical staff who make unique efforts to mentor and encourage younger staff at all levels to learn and grow and to recognize and seize career opportunities. The award includes a plaque and $1,000 honorarium.

Nominations for the 2023 award can be submitted beginning January 2. Questions about the award may be sent to Rick Peterson or Rajeshwari Sundaram.