Isaac Nuamah’s journey from Kumasi, Ghana, to becoming a senior director at Johnson & Johnson exemplifies a lifelong dedication to biostatistics and public health. Drawn to applied mathematics, he pursued a degree in statistics from the University of Ghana and later specialized in biostatistics at McMaster University and Case Western Reserve University. With 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry, Isaac now leads statistical strategies for medical affairs at J&J, advancing innovative approaches to enhance patient outcomes. A committed advocate for diversity, he has served in numerous ASA leadership roles, mentoring underrepresented groups and championing equity in the statistical profession.
The American Statistical Association invites suggestions for Dionne Price Public Lecture Series speakers. This distinguished series honors Price’s vision of statistics and data science as forces for public good, echoing her chosen theme, “One Community: Informing Decisions and Driving Discovery.”
Kaleab Abebe’s journey to becoming a tenured professor in biostatistics at the University of Pittsburgh began in the small town of Goshen, Indiana. A natural talent for math led him to Goshen College, where he majored in math without a clear career path. Eventually, he discovered the demand for applied statisticians and that realization propelled him into a master’s program at the University of Pittsburgh. Encouraged by faculty collaborations in clinical trials, he pursued a PhD, leading to his current role as director of the Center for Biostatistics and Qualitative Methodology, where he mentors future biostatistics leaders
Practical Significance producer Kim Gilliam recently conducted an interview with Donna LaLonde, ASA associate executive director, and Ron Wasserstein, ASA executive director, turning the tables on her ASA colleagues and podcast cohosts.
Jacqueline Hicks’s journey into biostatistics began in Livonia, Michigan, where her family of engineers instilled a deep appreciation for math and science. While excelling in college math, it was a course in mathematical biology that inspired her career path. When she was earning a master’s degree at The George Washington University, she served as a teaching assistant and discovered she also had a passion for teaching. Jacqueline pursued a PhD from Boston University, focusing on statistical genetics and health disparities. Now a dedicated educator and mentor, she collaborates on groundbreaking research into structural racism’s impact on health. Her proudest achievements include inspiring students and building a loving family.
