Journal of Data Science

Over the past three decades, the discipline of statistics has undergone profound transformation, driven by the rapid emergence of data science and artificial intelligence. These developments have reshaped methodological paradigms and introduced new challenges and opportunities for statistical education, particularly in China. In this context, Professor Xizhi Wu from the School of Statistics at Renmin University of China has remained closely engaged with the evolving landscape, demonstrating keen insight and a forward-looking perspective. Through sustained contributions to teaching, research, and educational reform, Professor Wu has deeply influenced generations of students and educators, playing a pivotal role in the advancement of statistical education. To document and reflect on this legacy, the Capital of Statistics conducted an in-depth interview with Professor Wu, focusing on his academic trajectory, professional contributions, and perspectives on the future of the discipline. The conversation also recounts meaningful interactions with his students, offering a multidimensional portrait of a life devoted to statistics.

Dr. David S. Salsburg’s career has been an exceptional one. He was the first statistician to work in Pfizer, Inc., and later became the first statistician from the pharmaceutical industry to be elected as an ASA fellow. He played a vital role as a statistician in Pfizer, Inc. at a time when the drug approval process was developed. For his contributions, Dr. Salsburg was awarded the Career Achievement Award of the Biostatistics Section of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America in 1994, for “significant contributions to the advancement of biostatistics in the pharmaceutical industry”. Dr. Salsburg also managed to achieve something rare among scientists, which is to popularize his field of research and make it accessible and enjoyable to laypeople. Dr. Salsburg is possibly best known for his book “The Lady Tasting Tea – How Statistics Revolutionized the 20th Century Science”, in which he combines simple and engaging explanations of statistical methods, and why they are needed, along with personal stories told with a great deal of generosity, fondness, and humor about the people who developed them. Dr. Salsburg’s admiration for the those statisticians shines through. In this interview, Dr. Salsburg shares his own stories and perspectives, from his childhood, through his service in the Navy and his long and productive career in Pfizer, Inc. to his equally productive retirement, in which he authored “The Lady Tasting Tea” and other books.

In 2022 the American Statistical Association established the Riffenburgh Award, which recognizes exceptional innovation in extending statistical methods across diverse fields. Simultaneously, the Department of Statistics at the University of Connecticut proudly commemorated six decades of excellence, having evolved into a preeminent hub for academic, industrial, and governmental statistical grooming. To honor this legacy, a captivating virtual dialogue was conducted with the department’s visionary founder, Dr. Robert H. Riffenburgh, delving into his extraordinary career trajectory, profound insights into the statistical vocation, and heartfelt accounts from the faculty and students he personally nurtured. This multifaceted narrative documents the conversation with more detailed background information on each topic covered by the interview than what is presented in the video recording on YouTube.