The American Statistical Association recently selected Sallie A. Keller, chief scientist and associate director of the US Census Bureau’s Research and Methodology Directorate, as the recipient of its 2026 Deming Lecturer Award. She will give the Deming Lecture on August 4, during the 2026 Joint Statistical Meetings in Boston, Massachusetts.
Established in 1995 and named after famed statistician W. Edwards Deming, the award not only seeks to recognize the recipient’s accomplishments but also enhances awareness among the statistical community of the scope and importance of Deming’s contributions.
Keller is credited with leading with distinction at the US Census Bureau during dynamic times. Advocating statistical products first, she ensures valuable, high-quality Census data sources serve our nation. Keller’s talent for fostering collaboration across diverse fields has successfully brought together statisticians, physical scientists, engineers, health experts, and social scientists in various settings to address complex societal challenges. She also previously established the statistics group at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, a core component of our national nuclear capabilities, which brings forward expertise in sampling, experimental design, uncertainty quantification, and recognition for the importance of rigorous statistics.
In addition to her work at the Census Bureau, Keller holds an endowed distinguished professorship in biocomplexity and faculty appointments in the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Department of Public Health Services; University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science, Department of Engineering Systems and Environment; and the University of Virginia School of Data Science.
An ASA Fellow, Keller served as the association’s president in 2006. She is also an elected member of the US National Academy of Engineering and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Keller earned her BS and MS in mathematics from the University of South Florida and her PhD in statistics from Iowa State University.
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