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Our Fall 2025 Department of Statistics recap includes news and updates from May-December 2025.
Upcoming Events
2026 Annual Meeting of the Iowa Chapter, American Statistical Association
Friday, February 27, 2026 | Iowa State University
The Department of Statistics will host the 2026 annual meeting of the Iowa chapter of the American Statistical Association (ASA) on February 27, 2026. A tentative schedule of events includes poster presentations, a discussion panel on the activities of statisticians at National Laboratories, and a question and answer session for undergraduates considering going to graduate school in statistics.
AP® Statistics Mock Exam-Teacher and Student Event
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | Iowa State University
The Department of Statistics will host its 4th annual AP® Statistics Mock Exam on April 22, 2026, helping high school teachers learn exam grading procedures while preparing students for the actual AP® exam. Students scoring in the top 20 percent will be entered into a random drawing for a $500 scholarship to Iowa State University as a statistics major. All AP® Statistics students and high school statistics teachers are welcome to participate. Register on the department website.
2026 Regional Electronic Conference On Teaching Statistics (Regional eCOTS)
Thursday, June 18, 2026 | Iowa State University
The Department of Statistics will host its third Regional eCOTS, which brings together educators and professionals interested in statistics education for a day of featured speakers, breakout sessions, and discussions on innovative teaching methods. All individuals interested in statistics are welcome to learn more, register, and attend.
News
Statistical Consulting Group's spring 2026 events
The Department of Statistics is offering multiple opportunities for graduate students to develop their statistical skills during spring 2026 through weekly drop-in sessions for graduate students and introductory training on R.
Meet the department's tenure-track assistant professors
Learn more about these faculty's research and teaching:
- Lynna Chu
- Pulong Ma
- Kosuke Morikawa
- Kyle Schindl
Statistics faculty are grant principal investigators
Read more to learn about grants awarded to these statistics faculty:
- Karin Dorman, Professor
- Jae-kwang Kim, Professor
- Pulong Ma, Assistant Professor
- Dan Nordman, Professor
- Cindy Yu, Professor
- Zhengyuan Zu, Professor, Director of the Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology, and Co-Director, ISU Federal Statistics Research Data Center
Statistics faculty are also serving as Co-PI:
- Emily Berg, Associate Professor
- Kosuke Morikawa, Assistant Professor
- Jae-kwang Kim, Professor
- Cindy Yu, Professor
Alumni Doug Jensen and Maria Thompson lead panel discussion
Alumni Maria Thompson (pictured left) and Doug Jensen (pictured right) led a panel discussion for statistics and computer science students on October 24, 2025, sharing insights into career paths at the intersection of technology, analytics, and innovation.
Provost Jason Keith visits Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence (CSAFE)
Provost Jason Keith learned about the center's groundbreaking research applying statistical methods to improve the accuracy of forensic evidence analysis. CSAFE collaborates with statisticians, scientists, and forensic practitioners to ensure the fair administration of justice through scientifically valid methods and appropriate interpretations of forensic evaluations.
Three distinguished alumni share at alumni panel discussion
The Department of Statistics hosted an Alumni Panel Discussion featuring distinguished alumni Cynthia Clark, Tetsuro (Ted) Motoyama, and Sarah Nusser, who shared insights from their diverse professional experiences in federal statistics, industry innovation, and academic research.
Departmental members and research highlighted on WebsEdge Science YouTube
The Department of Statistics was featured in a YouTube video showcasing the department's collaborative research in agriculture, forensic science, and survey methodology, as well as student opportunities . The video highlights Iowa State's legacy of connecting cutting-edge statistical methods with real-world applications and the launch of a fully online master's program in statistics in 2025. Watch on YouTube.
Iowa State hosts 2025 ISU-NISS Conference on AI and Statistics
The Department of Statistics hosted the 2025 ISU-NISS Conference on AI and Statistics from September 12-14, 2025, bringing together leading researchers from across the nation to explore cutting-edge developments in causal reasoning, geospatial AI, machine learning applications in forensic science, and other topics at the intersection of artificial intelligence and statistical science. Learn more about the planning of the event. The three-day event featured 15 distinguished speakers and coincided with a special public discussion by renowned statistician Nate Silver.
Nate Silver speaks on "Risk, Statistics, and the Future Use of AI"
Moderated by Department of Statistics chair Dan Nettleton, the event drew a diverse audience from across campus and the broader community to explore how statistical thinking can improve decision-making in an uncertain world. The event was co-sponsored by the Department of Statistics alongside the Ivy College of Business, Student Innovation Center, Economics Department, Political Science Department, Cyclone Civics, Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, and several university lecture funds.
Statistics department hosts 2025 United States Conference on Teaching Statistics (USCOTS)
The Department of Statistics hosted the 2025 United States Conference on Teaching Statistics (USCOTS) from July 15-19, 2025, drawing roughly 350 participants from across the United States and abroad for keynote talks, breakout sessions, and workshops focused on the theme "Useful Models." The conference, among the largest events ever hosted by the department, featured four keynote speakers including Iowa State Ph.D. graduate Hadley Wickham and was made possible through the efforts of faculty, staff, graduate students, and community partners.
Statistics department presents and competes at 2025 International Indian Statistical Association Conference
Faculty and graduate students from the Department of Statistics participated in the 2025 International Indian Statistical Association (IISA) Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska, from June 12-15, 2025, presenting research on topics ranging from clinical trials to spatial modeling and competing in the Stat Bowl competition (pictured). Iowa State researchers had a substantial presence with presentations covering high-dimensional data, bioinformatics, election analysis, and fMRI data interpretation, while faculty members also served as session organizers and chairs.
Statistics professor Karin Dorman is part of detecting disease outbreaks
Iowa State University is leading a global collaboration to develop a scalable, early-warning system for animal and zoonotic disease outbreaks, combining next-generation sequencing with advanced statistical models to detect pathogens without prior assumptions. The project, which includes Statistics Professor Karin Dorman among its interdisciplinary team, aims to bring next-generation sequencing closer to becoming a routine part of diagnostic practice for rapid disease surveillance.
Department hosts conference on predictive inference in sports
The Department of Statistics hosted the Conference on Predictive Inference in Sports on June 4-5, 2025, bringing together researchers and practitioners to explore statistical methods in sports analytics. The conference featured presentations on predictive modeling, decision-making strategies, and data analysis applications across various sports.
Celebrating Associate Professor Huaiqing Wu
On May 8, 2025, the Department of Statistics celebrated the career and upcoming retirement of Associate Professor Huaiqing Wu (pictured center in below left photo) after 28 years of service, during which he served as major professor for 30 graduate students and contributed to more than 200 graduate committees. Wu developed a reputation for excellence in experimental design, engineering statistics, and reliability.
Celebrating University Professor Philip Dixon
On May 1, 2025, colleagues, students, friends, and family gathered at Reiman Gardens to celebrate the career and upcoming retirement of University Professor Philip Dixon (pictured on left in above right photo). Dixon, who served Iowa State University for 27 years, supervised more than 40 graduate students, and published over 180 papers, was recognized for his statistical expertise, dedication to mentoring, and significant contributions bridging statistics and ecology.
Department hosts the 2025 AP® Statistics Mock Exam
On April 23 and 26, 2025, the Department of Statistics hosted its third annual AP® Statistics Mock Exam, bringing together 43 high school students and teachers from five Iowa schools to help teachers learn exam scoring procedures and prepare students for the actual AP® exam.
Featuring Undergraduate Students
Morrison Excellence Fund Scholarship names Tyler Laube
Tyler Laube, a double major in mathematics and statistics, has been named the first recipient of the Dr. Robert Morrison and Anne Morrison Excellence Fund scholarship.
New undergraduate Statistics student organization
A new undergraduate Statistics Club launched in fall 2025 at Iowa State University. The club will offer students a space for both professional development and social connection, including opportunities to explore careers, build technical skills, and connect with others interested in data through software workshops, guest speakers, hackathons, and volunteer events. The club will meet weekly and welcomes students from all majors.
Student Spotlight: Blake Behrens
Statistics major Blake Behrens is applying his passion for data science to sports analytics research, including using machine learning to generate live win probabilities for NBA playoff games. Behrens also serves as assistant coach for the Iowa State Swim Club, where he placed sixth nationally in the 100-yard breaststroke. Behrens also gained professional experience as a summer intern at CRST in Cedar Rapids and is considering graduate school with an eye toward a career in sports analytics.
Achievements
Statistics graduate students earn Teaching Excellence Awards
Two statistics graduate students, Sabrina Morse and Yanqi Zhang, received Teaching Excellence Awards (TEX Awards) from the Graduate College for their outstanding contributions to undergraduate education during the 2025 academic year.
Doug Jensen Receives Outstanding Alumni Award
Doug Jensen, a 1989 graduate with bachelor of science degrees in statistics and journalism and mass communication, received the Department of Statistics Outstanding Alumni Award on October 23, 2025, recognizing his distinguished career as a senior data and analytics executive.
Alicia Carriquiry named inaugural Patricia S. Conn Professor of Statistics
Distinguished Professor Alicia Carriquiry was named the inaugural Patricia S. Conn Professor of Statistics, an endowed professorship established to honor Dr. Patricia S. Conn, a 1969 Iowa State statistics Ph.D. graduate who dedicated her career to excellence in teaching and scholarship.
Department of Statistics faculty and staff honored at LAS Fall 2025 Convocation and Awards Ceremony
- Kevin Kasper: LAS Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Introductory Teaching (Term Faculty)
- Peng Liu: LAS Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring
- Zhengyuan Zhu: LAS Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research
- Cindy Yu: LAS Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice
- Adam Frakes: LAS P&S Outstanding New Professional Award
- Ulrike Genschel, Jarad Niemi, Ann Hawkins, and Laura Ziegler: LAS Champion Award - Team
- Petruţa Caragea: LAS Institutional Service Award
Peng Liu named director of the Baker Center for Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics
Professor Peng Liu has been named director of the Laurence H. Baker Center for Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, a research, training, and service hub within the Plant Sciences Institute that develops statistical tools to support biological research.
Danyang Zhang receives Summer 2025 Graduate Research Excellence Award
Danyang Zhang received a Summer 2025 Graduate Research Excellence (GREX) Award for her research developing statistical and machine learning methods for interval prediction and animal health monitoring under complex data dependencies. Zhang, whose work is supported by the C. R. Henderson Fund and multiple USDA grants, has published eight peer-reviewed articles and earned the Holly and Beth Fryer Award, the Kempthorne Award, and the Graduate Teaching Excellence Award.
Two graduate students place first and second at National Statistics Conference
Graduate students Payton Miloser (pictured right) and Rebekah Scott (pictured left) placed first and second in the Graduate Student Oral Competition at the 2025 Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture and Natural Resources (CASANR) held May 15, 2025, at the University of Florida.
Jie Li receives University’s Professional and Scientific Excellence Award
Jie Li, technical project specialist at the Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology, has been selected as a recipient of Iowa State University’s Professional and Scientific Excellence Award. This award recognizes staff members who have been employed at Iowa State for at least five years and have demonstrated outstanding service, career advancement, and professional impact both within and beyond the university.
Two faculty members honored with Spring 2025 LAS Faculty Excellence Awards
Professor Petruța Caragea received the Cassling Family Faculty Award for outstanding achievement in teaching. University Professor Mack Shelley received the Brian and Rondi Gardner Faculty Award for exemplary service and dedication to students. The Department of Statistics congratulates and thanks both faculty members for their excellence and service.
Social Events
Welcome Back Fall 2025 Picnic kicks off fall semester
The outdoor gathering provided an opportunity for new and returning faculty, staff, and students to reconnect after the summer break and welcome incoming students to the department.
Annual ice cream social hosts new 2025 graduate students
The Department of Statistics welcomed new graduate students at the annual Ice Cream Social on August 23, 2025, hosted by department chair Dan Nettleton and his wife Karen at their home.
Department of Statistics hosts reception at 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM)
The Department of Statistics hosted a reception for alumni and friends at the 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 5, 2025. The event provided an opportunity to reconnect and celebrate shared achievements in the field of statistics.
Graduate students bike in RAGBRAI 2025
Sebastian McCrimmon (pictured center), Rebel Yee (pictured right), and Benjamin Jacobs (pictured left), three statistics graduate students, completed RAGBRAI 2025 from July 19-26, 2025.
Spring Brunch brings together statistics community
On May 10, 2025, faculty, staff, students, and families gathered at Inis Grove Park for the Department of Statistics' annual Spring Brunch, enjoying a menu featuring eggs sofrito, breakfast burrito bowls, and freshly made crêpes. The event, hosted by the Social Committee, offered a relaxed setting for conversation, outdoor games, and community connection at the close of the semester.
Department hosts end-of-semester ice cream social
On May 7, 2025, the Department of Statistics hosted its End-of-Semester Ice Cream Social on the South Lawn of Snedecor Hall, offering students a well-earned break before finals with ice cream from the Iowa State Creamery.
Resources
- Stay up to date by visiting the Department of Statistics website
- Support the department's mission by making a donation
- Do you have news to share with friends and alums of Statistics at ISU? If so, please send your news (attached photos encouraged) to statnews@iastate.edu.