On October 29, 2024, the COPSS-NISS Leadership Webinar Series hosted an inspiring session titled “Leadership in Linking Statistical Theory and Scientific Inquiry,” featuring biostatisticians Michael Kozarock and Diana Wheaton. With over four decades of combined experience, both experts shared their unique leadership journeys and key insights into navigating interdisciplinary research, mentoring the next generation, and balancing statistical theory with real-world application. Moderated by Anru Zhang, an associate professor at Duke University’s Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, the session provided valuable guidance for emerging statisticians and researchers. Attendees were encouraged to cultivate curiosity, foster strong collaborations, and build supportive professional environments. Michael and Diana also highlighted strategies for achieving career balance, emphasizing the importance of both personal fulfillment and professional growth. This session, part of an ongoing series aimed at shaping well-rounded leaders in statistics, concluded with a preview of the next event focusing on leadership at the intersection of statistics and psychometrics.
The COPSS-NISS leadership webinar series was introduced, featuring guest speakers Michael Kozarock and Diana Wheaton, who shared their leadership journeys and experiences. The discussion also covered the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and the balance between theory and application in research, as well as the challenges and strategies of interdisciplinary research collaborations. The conversation ended with a discussion on how to become well-rounded statisticians, the importance of supportive environments for leadership roles, and the balance between teaching and research.
In the meeting, Anru introduced the COPSS-NISS leadership webinar series and his role as an associate professor at Duke Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics. He explained the purpose of the COPSS-NISS Emergent Leadership award and the webinar series, which aims to share leadership visions and experiences. Anru then introduced the two guest speakers, Michael Kozarock and Diana Wheaton, both of whom have made significant contributions to their fields. Michael, a distinguished professor of Biostatistics, shared his leadership journey, while Diana, the winner of the 2023 COPSS-NISS presidential award, was also set to share her experiences.
Michael's Career Journey and Leadership
Michael shared his career journey, starting with a bachelor's degree in music composition and later obtaining a master's in statistics. He discovered biostatistics, a combination of his two interests, and pursued a PhD. Michael held various academic leadership positions, including department chair at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and director of the Gilling Schools. He also had experience in professional society leadership and editing for journals. Michael expressed his enjoyment and learning from these experiences, particularly his recent role as President of IMS.
Career Trajectories and Mentorship Importance
Michael discussed his career trajectory, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and the interplay between theory and application in his work. He highlighted his experience in mentoring students and working with Ph.D. students, as well as his leadership roles in professional societies and data safety monitoring committees. Michael also shared his philosophy on the importance of both theory and application in research, and the role of curiosity in driving his work. Daniela followed, sharing her career journey and emphasizing the importance of perseverance and collaboration. She highlighted her accomplishments in statistical learning, teaching, and mentoring, as well as her service roles in the academic community. Both speakers underscored the importance of mentorship and collaboration in their careers.
Navigating Career and Personal Balance
Daniela shared her insights and experiences from her career, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion, diverse mentoring, and the reality of uncertainty in the field. She stressed that the career should be enjoyable and meaningful, and that success often comes from persistence and time. Daniela also shared personal anecdotes, highlighting the importance of personal life and family over professional achievements. She concluded by encouraging others to find balance and prioritize their personal lives alongside their professional pursuits.
Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration Strategies
In the meeting, Daniela and Michael discussed their experiences with interdisciplinary research collaborations, particularly in statistics and biostatistics. They shared their strategies for handling authorship, emphasizing fairness and collaboration. Daniela highlighted her approach of alternating last authorship with her long-term collaborators, while Michael stressed the importance of mentorship and the need for clear communication in large projects. They also discussed the challenges of managing collaborations with multiple stakeholders and the importance of maintaining a positive and enjoyable research environment. Anru, the moderator, asked questions about the pros and cons of focusing on statistical theory versus interdisciplinary research, and the importance of leadership qualities in successful collaborations.
Skill Sets for Theoretical and Applied Research
Anru asked Daniela and Michael about the skill sets required for working on theoretical problems versus applied scientific inquiries. Daniela emphasized that each domain requires different skill sets, but being a clear communicator is crucial for success in both. She advised focusing on improving written communication skills to ensure research is effectively communicated. Michael agreed, adding that curiosity can guide one's research direction and that it's essential to follow through on challenging opportunities, even if they require significant effort to learn necessary skills.
Becoming Well-Rounded Statisticians and Leadership
Anru initiated a discussion on how to become well-rounded statisticians, seeking advice from Michael and Daniela. Michael emphasized the importance of identifying one's strengths and not trying to be everything. He also stressed the need to allow room for improvement and making mistakes. Daniela added that mentors can offer their students a big-picture understanding of how their work fits into the field and how to effectively communicate their findings. The discussion then shifted to a question about tenured associate professors considering university leadership roles in their near future, and what key insights or advice they could share from their own leadership journey.
Leadership Roles and Support Considerations
Michael emphasized the importance of having a supportive environment for leadership roles, citing his own experience as a department chair. He advised considering the support from one's supervisor and colleagues before taking on a leadership role. Daniela added that one doesn't need to rush into leadership roles and should be selective, considering their own strengths and the potential impact on their research portfolio. She also suggested critically evaluating the opportunities that come their way, considering why they were offered to the individual. Anru expressed gratitude for the advice.
Balancing Theory and Student Interests
In the meeting, Anru, Daniela, and Michael discussed various topics related to teaching and research. Anru raised concerns about students' reluctance to study theories and write theoretical papers, to which Daniela suggested that students should be encouraged to play to their strengths and interests. Michael added that it's essential to understand the reasons behind a student's choice and to provide support for their interests. They also discussed how to communicate effectively with non-statisticians and how to balance theory and applications in research, especially for junior faculty members with soft money positions. The conversation ended with a preview of the next event in the series, focusing on leadership at the intersection of statistics and psychometrics.
Find Slides from the Speakers in the attachments below!
