Nancy Potok couldn’t decide if she wanted to be a forest ranger or a librarian when she grew up. Eventually, it was her love for reading that led to an interest in research, analysis, and data. She has since worked as a statistician for the public, private, and non-profit sectors and has experience in all three branches of the federal government—including being the first female deputy director at the US Census Bureau.
Research
Rhonda Bacher
Rhonda Bacher found patterns and solving problems interesting when she was younger, so she fell in love with statistics when she realized it was its own powerful language, capable of explaining patterns and problems. Currently, she teaches and mentors biostatistics students and—like her mentors—she’s able to help students discover their careers, passions, and paths.
People News February 2019
Awards, honors, and other news about ASA members for February 2019.
NIH Launches Training Program to Enhance Quantitative Training
Mentors will help train and support predoctoral candidates who will advance data science analytics.
Statistical Computing and Graphics Sections Seek Award Nominees
The Statistical Computing and Graphics Award of the ASA Statistical Computing and Statistical Graphics sections recognizes an individual or team for innovation in computing, software, or graphics that has had an impact on statistical practice or research.
A Look Back at My Career as a Biostatistician in Aging and Dementia Research
Chengjie Xiong looks back at his 17 years as a biostatistician in aging and dementia research and hopes to see biostatisticians playing a leading role in the design and analysis of this research.
Stats4Good: STATtr@k and Data for Good: A Perfect Combo
One of the most important resources for students and people just getting started in a career in statistics is STATtr@k: a website produced by the American Statistical Association for individuals who are in a statistics program, recently graduated from a statistics program, or who recently entered the job world. Visit STATtr@k to find your place in moving statistical science forward as a powerful means for doing good in our society, communities, and world.
The EU General Data Protection Regulation Is Affecting—Maybe—Your Work
The European Union’s (EU) recently adopted General Data Protection Regulation marks a major transition in data privacy protections in the EU and may affect approaches to data access and confidentiality protections more broadly, including in US research and other statistical activities.
Data Resources for Data for Good Researchers
In this month’s column, David Corliss lists a variety of places researchers can go to find good data.
Bin Yu
Bin Yu was born in Harbin, China, and grew up during the Cultural Revolution. When she was little, her cousin gave her a math book that hooked her on math. Bin’s current research interests focus on statistics and machine learning algorithms and theory for solving high-dimensional data problems. She shares her knowledge by serving on many editorial boards from different societies.