Ron Wasserstein, ASA Executive Director, and Donna LaLonde, ASA Associate Executive Director
“We have much to celebrate in April and beyond as we continue to inform decisions and drive discoveries.”
This sentence is how Dionne Price concluded her April 2023 President’s Corner column. She wrote the column in recognition of Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, but it was a guiding principle of her presidential year and throughout her career. Price passed away in February 2024. As we considered how to honor her legacy, we were inspired by those words.
Starting in 2025, the Dionne Price Public Lecture will be a celebration of our profession, which informs decisions and drives discoveries, and will advance the mission of promoting the practice and profession of statistics. The annual lectures will be held at locations throughout the United States and livestreamed for broader impact and engagement.
When Price introduced her focus for her year as president of the American Statistical Association, she wrote, “I have been employed by the US Food and Drug Administration since beginning my career as a statistician, and the reason for the longevity is simply my belief in the FDA’s mission. Similarly, I believe in the mission of the ASA, which is promoting the practice and profession of statistics. Thus, 2023 will be a mission-driven year informed by ideas shared by our community.”
In the April 2023 President’s Corner, she also wrote, “The Journal of the American Statistical Association was established in 1888 and is considered the premier journal of statistical science. The breadth of our impact is highlighted by the most-read articles within the last 12 months. The research presented includes a machine learning approach to measuring housing vitality, an exploration of A/B testing and causal effects evaluation, and an investigation of causal inference for social network data.”
Writing for the members of the ASA, she highlighted the profession’s crucial role in shaping scientific research, informing public policy, and driving societal progress. These roles can be emphasized through a public lecture dedicated to explaining the impact of statistics and offering examples of statistical insights that have influenced policy decisions and scientific breakthroughs.
In another President’s Corner, Price shared this story: “I fell in love with biostatistics during a summer internship as an undergraduate. I was an applied mathematics major searching for a direction, and an internship at the National Institutes of Health ignited my passion for statistics. The rest, as we say, ‘is history.’ My passion for the ‘practice and profession of statistics’ has grown stronger because I am fortunate to work with a talented group of statisticians and other professionals and able to serve our community.”
She showed her gratitude for her mentors by being a mentor and champion of early-career statisticians and data scientists. She was equally passionate about public service. To honor this commitment, the lecture will be given by a “rising star” contributing to public welfare through statistical work.
Price understood there are many misconceptions about statistics. For many, it is viewed as a dry and complex subject. Throughout her career, she devoted time and energy to countering these misconceptions, especially with students. She inspired young people to choose educational paths that prepared them for roles as statisticians and data scientists. The public lecture series will continue this work by presenting concepts in an engaging and accessible manner.
Price spent her professional career at the FDA. At the time of her passing, she was the deputy director of the Office of Biostatistics in the Office of Translational Sciences of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Of her work, she wrote, “My greatest accomplishment is the daily knowledge that my
statistical leadership and expertise positively contribute to ensuring the efficacy and safety of drugs and therapeutic biologics for the public. As a statistician, I make a difference in the lives of others. This is an honor and a joy!”
In her work, she was committed to promoting collaboration between statisticians and experts in other domains. She is remembered for her ability to bring together diverse perspectives, foster understanding of complex issues, and encourage innovative solutions. A public lecture shows the power of collaboration, a hallmark of Price’s approach to science and policy.
In summary, a public lecture series dedicated to the impact of statistics on science and society holds significant value. By enhancing public understanding of statistical principles, informing policy and decision-making, inspiring future generations, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, such a series can contribute to a more informed, engaged, and innovative society. As we continue to navigate an increasingly complex and data-rich world, fostering a deeper appreciation for statistics is more important than ever. Through public lectures, we can illuminate the vital role of statistics in shaping our understanding of the world and driving progress in myriad domains.
The Dionne Price Public Lecture series is supported by donations, which are used to pay for expenses associated with an annual lecture, including an honorarium and travel expenses for the lecturer, the venue, and livestreaming. Price chose the theme One Community: Informing Decisions and Driving Discovery for JSM 2023 because of her deep commitment to working for the public good. This public lecture series will honor her by continuing this work.
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