The ASA is built on the strength of its members—their work, expertise, and dedication to the field. This month, we’re highlighting Devon Lin, who shares with us details of her career, research, and future goals.
Devon Lin is a professor in the department of mathematics and statistics at Queen’s University. She earned her PhD from Simon Fraser University and joined Queen’s University in 2008. She is the chair of the ASA’s Section on Physical and Engineering Sciences. She also serves on the Provincial Advisory Committee of the Canadian Statistical Sciences Institute and the Spring Research Conference Management Committee. She is associate editor of the Canadian Journal of Statistics, Journal on Uncertainty Quantification, and Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference.
What is your current role or area of expertise in statistics and/or data science?
I specialize in uncertainty quantification and experimental design, two interconnected fields that address how to measure uncertainty and how to collect data to reduce it. UQ is inherently interdisciplinary, blending statistics, computational mathematics, and computer science to assess and communicate risks in complex systems, thereby supporting better-informed decisions and policies. My work applies these concepts through the lens of experimental design and surrogate modeling, developing methodologies to plan data collection so the resulting information is optimally valuable for achieving specific research or operational goals.
What has been one of your biggest professional achievements?
One of my most significant professional achievements is the mentorship and training of students. Guiding undergraduate, MSc, and PhD students through their academic development—from framing research questions to publishing their work—has been incredibly rewarding. Witnessing their growth and seeing them succeed in their careers brings me pride and joy.
What career advice do you live by, and who gave it to you?
The career advice I live by is “Stay hungry. Stay foolish,” a quote from Steve Jobs’s 2005 Stanford commencement address. While the phrasing is catchy, the principle is profound: to maintain a relentless curiosity and the courage to pursue new ideas or ask naïve questions. In academia, this translates to continuously seeking new methodologies outside my comfort zone. It’s a daily reminder that learning is not a phase but the essence of a life-long journey.
What experiences and past roles have led you to where you are today?
I am fortunate to have had incredible mentors in different stages of my education and career. In my elementary school, middle school, and high school, my teachers inspired me to pursue a university degree, which opened doors for me to graduate studies and, ultimately, a career in academia. My PhD advisers played a pivotal role in my career. They saw potential in my early research that I had not yet recognized in myself, and they responded not only with guidance but with active mentorship. Their belief in me was more than encouraging.
What is the biggest career challenge you’ve had to overcome?
Early in my career, I was not sure whether I belonged to academics and questioned my ability to contribute consistently. My confidence was built by the incredible support system I found in my ‘academic family.’ As an academic grandchild of Professor C. F. Jeff Wu, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from a wonderful network of academic siblings, cousins, and mentors. This sense of community has been instrumental, giving me the assurance and belonging to confidently pursue this career path.
As chair of the Section on Physical and Engineering Sciences, would you recommend others get involved in an ASA section? Why? What have you learned from the experience?
Absolutely. This year, our section has been very active. We’ve hosted several SPES webinars, successfully relaunched the Marquardt Memorial Industrial Speakers Program—bringing industry leaders to campus to share insights with faculty and students—and collaborated with the Quality & Productivity
Section on both the JSM student paper competition and section reception. These activities provide excellent opportunities for JSM members to engage and offer valuable platforms for learning, professional networking, and contributing to our statistical community.
Through active participation, engagement, and leadership in community activities, I have cultivated a strong sense of belonging to our community and found a meaningful way to contribute to society.
What is something you’d like people to know about you that we haven’t asked?
I am currently teaching a first-year data science course. It has been a rewarding yet challenging experience. The primary challenge lies in maintaining student engagement and fostering genuine interest in foundational topics. It is indeed rewarding to hear from students who tell me they decided to choose a statistics major after taking the course.
Would you like to participate in the Amstat News Member Showcase? Email ASA Communications Manager Megan Murphy and she’ll email you some questions.
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