David Banks gives the keynote address about the future of statistics.
The University of Mississippi Department of Mathematics hosted the 2026 Annual Conference and Business Meeting of the Alabama–Mississippi Chapter March 2, bringing together faculty, students, and professionals from across Alabama and Mississippi for a day of research exchange, professional networking, and statistical collaboration.
Presiding over the meeting was Elvan Ceyhan, professor at Auburn University, whose leadership emphasized the chapter’s commitment to strengthening connections across institutions and supporting the next generation of statisticians. A talk was also given by Talmage Reid, chair of the department of mathematics about the history of the school.
The conference featured a keynote address by David Banks, professor at Duke University. His speech, titled “The Future of Statistics,” was insightful and engaging. Reflecting on his experience, Banks said, “I am about to retire, but listening to the amazing presentations by the graduate students and junior faculty at the 2026 ASA AL-Mississippi Chapter Conference made me confident in the future of our profession.”
Listening to the amazing presentations by the graduate students and junior faculty made me confident in the future of our profession.”
Student engagement remained a central focus of the event, with research presentations spanning a wide range of statistical applications. Mithun Acharjee, awarded first in the student oral presentation from University of Alabama at Birmingham, said, “The scientific program at the 2026 ASA AL-MS Chapter Conference was very well organized and easy to follow, with a great mix of interesting and high-quality research. The keynote talk was insightful, and the student presentations were engaging and clearly presented. Overall, it was a very enjoyable and meaningful experience.”
Faculty attendees also emphasized the value of the conference for fostering collaboration and professional growth. Mathias Muia, who presented in the new faculty spotlight session, reflected on the day: “I really enjoyed attending the 2026 Alabama-Mississippi Chapter Conference at the University of Mississippi. It was great reconnecting with former graduate school colleagues and professors, and I appreciated the chance to present in the new faculty spotlight session. I also enjoyed the student presentations and the keynote, and the conference was very well organized with strong support from the Ole Miss Mathematics Department students and faculty.”
Nozara Sundus, a graduate teaching assistant from the department of mathematics and statistics at Auburn University added, “The conference fostered a collaborative and inspiring environment, bringing together high-quality research and enthusiastic student contributions. It was a rewarding experience both academically and professionally.”
The conference was made possible through the efforts of the organizing committee, including Martial Longla, Xin Dang, and Hailin Sang, whose work ensured a smooth and welcoming experience for all participants. Student volunteers from the University of Mississippi also played a key role in supporting logistics and hospitality throughout the day.
The event concluded with a student awards ceremony recognizing outstanding poster and oral presentations. The chapter celebrated the achievements of emerging statisticians and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the next generation of researchers.
Visit the chapter website to learn more about the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter.
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