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Position Title/Affiliation
Professor. Department of Biostatistics, UCLA
Position Being Sought 2023
ISBA President-Elect
Candidate Statement 2023
I am deeply honored to be considered for the role of President of the International Society of Bayesian Analysis (ISBA). This time represents a crucial period for our society, and indeed all professional societies, as we emerge from the challenges posed by the pandemic and embrace emerging opportunities in an increasingly changing and interconnected world.
The president elected this round will oversee organizing the 2026 ISBA World Meeting in Nagoya, Japan. This event holds great promise for fostering collaboration and advancing the mission of ISBA on a global scale.
Over the past several years, I've had the privilege of serving ISBA in various roles. I was first elected as the Program Chair of the Bayesian Nonparametric Section before becoming a member of the Program Council and later the Program Chair of ISBA in 2015. In this role, I had the opportunity to organize and chair the scientific committee for the ISBA 2016 World Meeting in Sardinia. I have also been involved with our society's flagship journal, Bayesian Analysis. My journey began as an Associate Editor, after which I transitioned to the role of Co-Editor, and most recently, I ended a three-year term as Editor-in-Chief of the journal.
I've also participated in various committees, including a few Savage Award committees, Lindley Award committees, Named Lectures committees, and ISBA nominating committees. I also held a three-year term position as a member of the Board of ISBA. A perhaps little-known fact is that I have also created and (initially) organized the current YouTube channel of the society, which now hosts more than 100 videos of seminars and lectures and many contributors. On top of these contributions, I am honored to be a Fellow of ISBA.
Our society has been thriving over the past few years. The success of our research meetings and our journal, currently among the top 10 in the fields of Statistics and Probability (based on the 2022 Journal Impact Factor), is a testament to the work done. I aim to build on our successes and the work of past presidents. In particular, there are a few key areas where the society has been making steady progress recently, but there's still room for growth, namely in education and outreach. In my view, they are inextricably linked and vital for the expansion of our society and - more in general - Bayesian thinking.
On education, I see a wealth of opportunities. Many of our members, individuals, and groups have been pioneering initiatives to incorporate Bayesian concepts into standard curricula and develop user-friendly software to facilitate the implementation of Bayesian methods. ISBA should bolster these endeavors, notably by supporting and expanding the Section on Bayesian Education Research and Practice (BERaP) efforts.
In terms of outreach, we must extend our arms wider to welcome those who utilize Bayesian statistics in their fields of work. Industry professionals, academics, and investigators from various disciplines like ecology, astronomy, and psychology should find a welcoming home in ISBA. This is not only a move towards inclusivity but also a vital strategy for ensuring the longevity and relevance of our society. The American Statistical Association (ASA) has been fostering a robust community of statistical practitioners and data scientists through targeted networking events. Given our society's international nature, I believe we should explore organizing similar local networking meetings that engage practitioners on a regional level. Our Section on Industrial Statistics needs revitalization and support, a cause I will foster.
We should also maintain our focus on expanding our presence in Asia. The upcoming ISBA World Meeting in Nagoya, Japan, is a golden opportunity to expand our presence in Asia, a goal our society has been striving to achieve. I believe in the potential of our East Asia Chapter and will promote its further development. Similarly, efforts to reinvigorate the Latin American Meeting on Bayesian Statistics (COBAL) should be revived.
Our Sections and Chapters are crucial for maintaining the vitality and dynamism of ISBA, so I am determined to make member reengagement post-pandemic a priority.
Lastly, but crucially, I will work tirelessly to encourage the participation of students and early-career researchers. Their involvement is a cornerstone of our community and will also be essential to ensure its future. I am committed to fostering an environment of diversity and inclusivity in ISBA that welcomes all individuals, regardless of their background, gender, or sexual orientation. These diverse voices enrich our conversations, broaden our perspectives, and propel our society forward.
I am excited at the prospect of contributing to the further development of ISBA, our society. We can build upon our strong foundations and steer our society toward a future of greater impact, global outreach, and inclusivity. I am deeply grateful for your consideration and enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate in advancing these goals.
The president elected this round will oversee organizing the 2026 ISBA World Meeting in Nagoya, Japan. This event holds great promise for fostering collaboration and advancing the mission of ISBA on a global scale.
Over the past several years, I've had the privilege of serving ISBA in various roles. I was first elected as the Program Chair of the Bayesian Nonparametric Section before becoming a member of the Program Council and later the Program Chair of ISBA in 2015. In this role, I had the opportunity to organize and chair the scientific committee for the ISBA 2016 World Meeting in Sardinia. I have also been involved with our society's flagship journal, Bayesian Analysis. My journey began as an Associate Editor, after which I transitioned to the role of Co-Editor, and most recently, I ended a three-year term as Editor-in-Chief of the journal.
I've also participated in various committees, including a few Savage Award committees, Lindley Award committees, Named Lectures committees, and ISBA nominating committees. I also held a three-year term position as a member of the Board of ISBA. A perhaps little-known fact is that I have also created and (initially) organized the current YouTube channel of the society, which now hosts more than 100 videos of seminars and lectures and many contributors. On top of these contributions, I am honored to be a Fellow of ISBA.
Our society has been thriving over the past few years. The success of our research meetings and our journal, currently among the top 10 in the fields of Statistics and Probability (based on the 2022 Journal Impact Factor), is a testament to the work done. I aim to build on our successes and the work of past presidents. In particular, there are a few key areas where the society has been making steady progress recently, but there's still room for growth, namely in education and outreach. In my view, they are inextricably linked and vital for the expansion of our society and - more in general - Bayesian thinking.
On education, I see a wealth of opportunities. Many of our members, individuals, and groups have been pioneering initiatives to incorporate Bayesian concepts into standard curricula and develop user-friendly software to facilitate the implementation of Bayesian methods. ISBA should bolster these endeavors, notably by supporting and expanding the Section on Bayesian Education Research and Practice (BERaP) efforts.
In terms of outreach, we must extend our arms wider to welcome those who utilize Bayesian statistics in their fields of work. Industry professionals, academics, and investigators from various disciplines like ecology, astronomy, and psychology should find a welcoming home in ISBA. This is not only a move towards inclusivity but also a vital strategy for ensuring the longevity and relevance of our society. The American Statistical Association (ASA) has been fostering a robust community of statistical practitioners and data scientists through targeted networking events. Given our society's international nature, I believe we should explore organizing similar local networking meetings that engage practitioners on a regional level. Our Section on Industrial Statistics needs revitalization and support, a cause I will foster.
We should also maintain our focus on expanding our presence in Asia. The upcoming ISBA World Meeting in Nagoya, Japan, is a golden opportunity to expand our presence in Asia, a goal our society has been striving to achieve. I believe in the potential of our East Asia Chapter and will promote its further development. Similarly, efforts to reinvigorate the Latin American Meeting on Bayesian Statistics (COBAL) should be revived.
Our Sections and Chapters are crucial for maintaining the vitality and dynamism of ISBA, so I am determined to make member reengagement post-pandemic a priority.
Lastly, but crucially, I will work tirelessly to encourage the participation of students and early-career researchers. Their involvement is a cornerstone of our community and will also be essential to ensure its future. I am committed to fostering an environment of diversity and inclusivity in ISBA that welcomes all individuals, regardless of their background, gender, or sexual orientation. These diverse voices enrich our conversations, broaden our perspectives, and propel our society forward.
I am excited at the prospect of contributing to the further development of ISBA, our society. We can build upon our strong foundations and steer our society toward a future of greater impact, global outreach, and inclusivity. I am deeply grateful for your consideration and enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate in advancing these goals.