This column is written for those interested in learning about the world of Data for Good, where statistical analysis is dedicated to good causes that benefit our lives, our communities, and our world. If you would like to know more or have ideas for articles, contact David Corliss.

David Corliss is the principal data scientist at Grafham Analytics. He serves on the steering committee for the Conference on Statistical Practice and is the founder of Peace-Work.

Bhramar Mukherjee of the University of Michigan was recently honored with the 2023 Karl E. Peace Award for Outstanding Statistical Contributions for the Betterment of Society, recognizing her commitment to and accomplishments in biostatistics on a global scale. While Mukherjee has worked in many areas of biostatistics, her research and leadership during the 2021 COVID surge in India brought her widespread attention.

Bhramar Mukherjee accepts the Fellow Award from 2012 ASA President Bob Rodriguez at the Joint Statistical Meetings in San Diego, California. Eric Sampson/ASA

Mukherjee serves as chair of the biostatistics department at the Michigan School of Public Health, where she has been a professor of epidemiology and global public health since 2006. She was recently named a distinguished professor in recognition of her COVID research and team leadership, contributions to biostatistics generally, and diversity leadership. Her work encompasses a wide area in biostatistics but centers on public health issues. Much of this work has been in cancer research, such as screening, prevention, and public health risk and outcomes. She has also published extensively on environmental health and epidemiology. Her statistical work is diverse, including the development of statistical methods for electronic health records, Bayesian statistics, and shrinkage estimation.

I became familiar with Mukherjee’s COVID research through a shared interest in the broader impacts of the pandemic. For example, both of us presented in the ASA / Journal of Data Science webinar series, “Data Science in Action in Response to the Outbreak of COVID-19,” in the summer of 2020—she on the impact of the national lockdown in India and me on economic impacts and opportunities for statistical volunteering. A consistent thread running through her multidimensional work as a statistician is serving the public by driving better health outcomes.

Mukherjee’s work in biostatistics with electronic health records led to a partnership on big data best practices with the Michigan Institute for Data Science, which I mentioned in this column in September for their work promoting ethical AI. This reflects both a need to develop the data science and computing practices needed to leverage big data for the greater good and to engage in community partnerships that turn statistical science into beneficial action.

In learning more about Mukherjee’s work while writing this column, I noticed a consistent theme in her comments and writing for the public. She never mentions the work she leads as hers, but instead emphasizes the accomplishments of her entire team. This recognition of team effort is of critical importance in all areas of science but especially in our shared work for the public good. Mukherjee leads in both innovative scientific research and in showing us how science should be done: collaboratively, recognizing the contributions of all and partnering with people in public policy and public service to do the most good.

The COVID pandemic was a once-in-a-lifetime event that fundamentally changed how science is done. The need for a rapid response to the pandemic resulted in many more collaborations, producing a vast number of papers and accelerated processes for review and publication. In the crucible, research leaders like Mukherjee led a quieter, less publicized revolution in how we as statisticians and data scientists serve the public. Her team played a vital role in tracking and modeling the COVID pandemic in India. This work went beyond peer-reviewed scientific research to develop action plans, advise political leaders, and inform the public.

The vision of a larger role of statistical science driving better outcomes for society is at the heart of the work recognized by the Karl E. Peace Award. Mukherjee and her team are honored by the award and we, as a statistical community, are honored to have their work guide and strengthen our own.

Getting Involved
In opportunities this month, Stats4Good is looking for outstanding Data for Good work performed during 2023 to honor in the December issue. In January, I provided a Challenge List of the following five areas of significant need and opportunity in #DataForGood:

• Biostatistics: Leveraging COVID Learnings
• Environmental Advocacy: Climate Change
• Data: Unique and Secure Identifiers
• Organization and Infrastructure: More Project Managers
• Human Rights: Critical Race Theory as a Statistical Practice

Now I am looking for your input on the most outstanding work in these areas for this year. You can email me or contact me through the ASA Community, where this will also be posted.