The Southern Regional Council on Statistics held its 60th annual Summer Research Conference June 9–11 on Jekyll Island, Georgia. The long-running event continues to promote the improvement of postsecondary education in statistical science and support the development of high-quality statistics instruction in elementary and high schools.
“The SRCOS Summer Research Conference has truly found a special place in the hearts of many students and early-career professionals like myself, thanks to its welcoming community and relaxing atmosphere,” said Arinjita Bhattacharyya, recipient of the American Statistical Association’s Kutner Junior and Isolated Faculty Poster Session Travel Award.
Bhattacharyya, associate principal scientist in biostatistics and research decision sciences at Merck, presented a poster titled “Ensemble Models for Differential Analysis,” a collaborative project with Himel Mallick of Cornell University. “I may have been the only participant from industry,” Bhattacharyya said, “but I always cherish the opportunity to reconnect with my roots, see my professors from the University of Louisville, and make meaningful new connections.”
A few highlights from the conference included a keynote by Natalie Dean on infectious disease research and the critical role of electronic health records in the post-COVID era. She also introduced a summer program designed for prospective master’s and PhD students. Another keynote, by Michael Kosorok, explored the promises and challenges of statistics in the age of artificial intelligence—a talk that inspired reflection on how AI could support mental health, particularly by identifying and addressing symptoms of invisible disabilities.
Sponsored by the ASA, National Institute of Statistical Science, and National Science Foundation, the conference offered a balance of academic engagement and coastal retreat. “Afternoons were left open for fun activities—kayaking, biking, hiking, tennis, and more—set against the stunning backdrop of Jekyll Island’s beaches and wildlife,” Bhattacharyya said.
The 2026 SRCOS Summer Research Conference will take place in Pensacola, Florida.
Please note a correction in next to last paragraph. “National Industrial Security System” should be “National Institute of Statistical Science” .
Thank you Michael. This article has been updated.