This month, we feature ASA Fellow Robert Oster, who’s served the association in numerous positions, including chair of the Council of Sections Governing Board, chair of the Section on Teaching of Statistics in the Health Sciences, and associate editor of The American Statistician. An educator with more than 30 years of experience, he’s provided statistical expertise to universities, government agencies, and contract research organizations.
What is your current role or primary area of expertise in statistics?
I am a professor in the department of medicine, division of general internal medicine and population science, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In addition, I serve as co-director of the UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science’s biostatistics, epidemiology, and research design unit and senior biostatistician for the UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education, Comprehensive Diabetes Center, Cystic Fibrosis Center, and Center for Research on Obesity and Oxalate Kidney Stones. I’m also a multiple principal investigator and/or co-investigator on many NIH- and foundation-funded clinical and translational research studies.
I am a collaborative biostatistician, and my primary responsibility is to work with clinical and translational researchers on grant-funded studies, including various types of clinical trials and longitudinal and cross-sectional studies in scientific research areas such as cancer therapeutics and cancer survivorship; nutrition, diabetes, and obesity; spinal cord injuries; telehealth in children with disabilities; and rare diseases and conditions. This work includes obtaining grant funding to conduct the studies and serving as an author on many peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals.
My role also involves providing statistics education to health science learners, especially junior faculty, trainees, fellows, residents, and pre-professional (e.g., medical) and graduate students. This education is usually in the form of seminars, workshops, short courses, or lectures (as part of larger multidisciplinary courses) for graduate students. I also serve on dissertation and thesis committees.
What experiences or roles most shaped your path to where you are today?
I did my undergraduate studies at Case Western Reserve University, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. When I expressed an interest in attending graduate school, it was clear to my professors and me that I was interested in the applications of mathematics and statistics to real-world problems, so they recommended I earn a graduate degree in statistics. I then attended the University of Kentucky, earning a master’s degree in statistics. During my training, I had opportunities to work with statistics faculty on various collaborative research projects with research faculty in other departments. I also served as a teaching assistant. At that point, it became clear I was most interested in biostatistics applications for clinical research.
I next worked at the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, which was overseen by the US Department of Defense. My title was mathematical statistician, but the work I did was as a collaborative biostatistician, working with exercise physiologists and biophysicists. I worked on several research studies there, and my work was acknowledged in several peer-reviewed publications. During that time, I became interested in learning more about statistics and biostatistics. I also wanted to ensure my career would not be limited by not having a terminal degree.
I next attended the University of Cincinnati, earning a PhD in biostatistics. I again had opportunities to work with biostatistics faculty on various clinical and health research projects that were collaborative with research faculty in other departments. I also served as a graduate teaching and research assistant. At this point, I knew working in academia as a professor was my calling and I was interested in serving as a collaborative biostatistician on clinical research studies and as a statistics educator for biostatistics courses.
I took my first faculty position at the University of Miami School of Medicine, where I was hired in the department of epidemiology and public health as an instructor. My next faculty position was at the Morehouse School of Medicine, where I was hired in the department of community health and preventive medicine as an instructor and then got promoted to assistant professor. My current faculty position is at UAB, where I was hired as an assistant professor. I then got promoted to associate professor and finally to full professor. I have been at UAB for more than 25 years. I greatly enjoy working at UAB and previously enjoyed working at the other institutions mentioned above. I want to let everyone know I have been blessed by having wonderful people to work with throughout my career!
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of, and why does it stand out to you?
One I am most proud of was being recognized as an ASA Fellow. Designation as an ASA Fellow is one of the highest honors in the statistics profession and is probably the most widely recognized honor. This award gave me confidence that my contributions and the leadership positions I have held were indeed meaningful and impactful. I have attended many JSMs and usually was present at the awards ceremony on Tuesday night of the JSM. I was always amazed at the outstanding accomplishments of those who were recognized as ASA Fellows; what they had done in their careers served as a great inspiration for what I should be doing in my career as I strove to be the best statistician I could be.
Another accomplishment I am proud of is my focus on statistical practice, where I’ve led and co-led with several biostatisticians from many excellent institutions. These works include peer-reviewed publications and resources that directly address foundational issues in biostatistical collaboration and biostatistics education, including best practices for consultation, evaluation metrics for collaborative research, development of statistical competencies for health science learners, workforce development for collaborative biostatisticians, and development of statistics education resources for practicing biostatisticians and professionals who are not statisticians.
What career advice do you live by, and who gave it to you?
Career advice I have lived by throughout my career includes being substantive, honest, and ethical in my work; striving for completeness; always giving things my best shot (even though I may not do things perfectly); being a good listener; setting high standards; and considering multiple perspectives.
I received helpful advice early in my career from two of my professors. The first one was Richard Krysico at the University of Kentucky, and the second one was Ralph Buncher at the University of Cincinnati, who was also my PhD adviser. Both were ASA Fellows. They encouraged me to successfully complete my studies, set high standards, think about the long and short term, and continue moving forward with my career in a thoughtful manner.
What is the biggest career challenge you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest career challenge has been to successfully maintain a work-life balance—prioritizing my professional responsibilities at work, which are many, and my personal life, which includes family, various hobbies, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Time management, setting clear boundaries, and deciding where best to direct my energy, both mental and physical, are important elements of the work-life balance concept. Understanding what all my specific priorities are, both for work and for personal life, and then meaningfully and successfully engaging them has never been easy. I find that constantly being flexible and being open to different ways of addressing these priorities has been helpful.
You are currently chair of the Council of Sections Governing Board and have held numerous leadership roles across statistical organizations. What have you found most rewarding about professional service—and what keeps you engaged in it?
The most rewarding aspect of professional service has been networking with colleagues at many fine academic, private, and government institutions. This gave me many contacts across the country, some of whom then served as references and letter writers for job applications, promotion packets, and career award applications. Just as important, networking has also led to many lifelong friendships, some of which have developed into best friends! One reason I look forward to JSM every year is to see several of my best friends!
Another rewarding aspect is some roles lead to deep and progressive involvement in statistical areas of particular interest to me (like statistical education), which allows for sustained and meaningful contributions to these areas. For example, my first leadership role was program chair for the ASA Section on Teaching of Statistics in the Health Sciences. This led to me being elected as chair of TSHS, and then to my sustained involvement in TSHS positions continuously for 25 years, including book review editor, publications officer, secretary/treasurer, treasurer, and chair of various committees. My service as TSHS chair also led to critical top leadership roles in non-ASA statistical organizations, including president of the Association of Clinical and Translational Statisticians, and chair of the Association for Clinical and Translational Science Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design Special Interest Group. More recently, my involvement in TSHS led to my current ASA positions of chair of the Council of Sections Governing Board (which requires deep knowledge of sections and how they function) and member of the JSM Continuing Education Committee (which selects CE courses that will be offered during JSM).
My role as TSHS secretary/treasurer also led to my long tenure as treasurer and member of the executive committee and chapter conference planning committee of the ASA Alabama-Mississippi Chapter. This professional service resulted in my selection for the ASA Outstanding Chapter Service Award.
Continued contribution to the mission of the ASA, advancement of the statistics profession, and career development of junior and mid-career statisticians keeps me engaged in professional service. I very much enjoy giving back to the ASA and the statistics profession—my career and even my personal development have benefited greatly from ASA membership. I also like working with statisticians to ensure they receive at least as many opportunities as I’ve had for career opportunities, career advancement, and career enjoyment.
Looking across your leadership roles, can you tell us what makes service work effective within professional organizations?
Professional service, especially at the national and regional levels, is highly valued by employers of statisticians. This service helps bring prestige to these employers and helps to boost their reputations. Just as important, it also helps statisticians develop into effective leaders and team builders, two qualities that are valued by employers and any professional organization.
The knowledge and skills I have obtained through professional service have been useful in my work. For example, my previous and current roles as chair and president have helped me to hone my organizational skills and problem-solving skills, further develop my leadership skills, become more confident in assembling and leading teams, and consider multiple ways to address issues. These are important for the many projects I work on and research teams I belong to (all at UAB). They are also important for service work in the ASA and other associations.
The team aspect of service work cannot be overemphasized. My previous leadership roles were successful not only due to my efforts, but also to the great team members that surrounded me. For example, as chair or president, I worked with a proactive executive committee, where each member made distinct and unique contributions. In addition, getting to know each other well helped us function effectively and accomplish much. All this carries over into my work as a leader for UAB.
What is something you’d like people to know about you that we haven’t asked?
I am thankful for the ASA as an association, how the ASA supports the professional community of statisticians in the United States and worldwide, and for my long-term ASA membership. I am grateful for how the ASA supports excellence in all aspects of statistical science and statistical practice and how it has championed the advancement of statistical education at all levels. I joined the ASA during my first year as a graduate student and have now been a member for 41 years. I am pleased to say I permanently cemented my association with the ASA by becoming a life member several years ago.
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