Stats + Stories

Cynthia Rudin is a professor of computer science, electrical and computer engineering, and statistical science at Duke University. Previously, Prof. Rudin held positions at MIT, Columbia, and NYU. Her degrees are from the University at Buffalo and Princeton University. She is a three-time winner of the INFORMS Innovative Applications in Analytics Award. She has served on committees for INFORMS, the National Academies, the American Statistical Association, DARPA, the NIJ, and AAAI. She is a fellow of both the American Statistical Association and Institute of Mathematical Statistics. She is a Thomas Langford Lecturer at Duke University for 2019-2020.

Dr. Harrell, founding chair of the Vanderbilt Biostatistics department and a respected figure in the field, delves into the philosophy of biostatistics. He emphasizes the importance of documented approaches and critical self-reflection in tackling statistical challenges. The conversation also highlights how biostatistics can enhance journalistic integrity, providing tools for journalists to better evaluate statistical information and prioritize actionable insights over mere validity. It’s a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of stats, ethics, and effective communication.

Robert Santos is vice president & chief methodologist at the Urban Institute as well as President-Elect of American Statistical Association. He has over 40 years of experience designing research and evaluation studies as well as sample surveys. His expertise includes quantitative and qualitative research design, sampling, survey operations, and statistical analysis; specialty areas include Hispanics, blacks, undocumented immigrants, and other disadvantaged populations.

Check out John's appearance on The Random Sample - https://acems.org.au/podcast/episode-20-stats-and-stories Louise Ryan is an Australian biostatistician, a distinguished professor of statistics in the School of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney, She is known for her work applying statistics to cancer and risk assessment in environmental health. Louise is also the Editor in Chief of Statistics in Medicine. She has received a number of prestigious awards and honors, most recently her 2012 election to the Australian Academy of Science, a 2015 honorary doctorate from Ghent University, Harvard’s 2015 Centennial Medal and her new role as President of the International Biometrics Society.

Dr. Harrell received his PhD in Biostatistics from UNC in 1979. Since 2003 he has been Professor of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and was the department chairman from 2003-2017. He is Expert Statistical Advisor for the Office of Biostatistics for FDA CDER. He is Associate Editor of Statistics in Medicine, a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Science Translational Medicine, and a member of the Faculty of 1000 Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association and winner of the Association's WJ Dixon Award for Excellence in Statistical Consulting for 2014. His specialties are development of accurate prognostic and diagnostic models, model validation, clinical trials, observational clinical research, cardiovascular research, technology evaluation, pharmaceutical safety, Bayesian methods, quantifying predictive accuracy, missing data imputation, and statistical graphics and reporting.

Iain Wilton directs the Royal Statistical Society’s policy, public affairs and external relations work. His team’s responsibilities include the production of our member newsletter, Significance magazine and the RSS’s policy briefing papers for MPs and peers. Iain’s team also organises the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Statistics as well as the RSS Statistical Ambassador network and our annual Statistical Excellence Awards. Iain has a doctorate from Queen Mary, University of London and has previously worked for the BBC, the Cabinet Office and the University of Essex. He has also written a biography of the sportsman, writer and politician CB Fry.

Simon Rogers is an award-winning data journalist, writer and speaker. Author of ‘Facts are Sacred‘, published by Faber & Faber in the UK, China and South Korea. He has also written a range of infographics for children books from Candlewick. Data editor on the News Lab team at Google, based in San Francisco, he is director of the Data Journalism Awards and teaches Data Journalism at Medill-Northwestern University in San Francisco and has taught at U Cal Berkeley Journalism school.

Simon Rogers is an award-winning data journalist, writer and speaker. Author of ‘Facts are Sacred‘, published by Faber & Faber in the UK, China and South Korea. He has also written a range of infographics for children books from Candlewick. Data editor on the News Lab team at Google, based in San Francisco, he is director of the Data Journalism Awards and teaches Data Journalism at Medill-Northwestern University in San Francisco and has taught at U Cal Berkeley Journalism school.

Rick Ludwin was hired by NBC Entertainment in 1979 and made director of variety shows there in 1980. He then became vice president for specials and variety programs in 1983; senior VP for specials, variety programs and late-night in 1989; and executive VP for NBC’s late-night and prime time series in 2005. In its 57 years, The Tonight Show has had five permanent hosts, and Rick has been the boss of three of them. His late-night division at NBC developed the hit comedy Seinfeld. Rick, a 1970 Miami University grad, joined the Stats+Stories regulars to discuss the use and impact of ratings on television programming

Vicki Hertzberg is a Professor at Emory University in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, where she has founded and directs the Center for Data Science. Her research focuses on, “developing and applying statistical methods for the analysis of network data as well as microbiome data.” Specific topics include infectious diseases on networks, dynamic networks and microbiome of the airplane cabin.