After earning her master’s degree, Lin began her career
Award Committee Members
as a biostatistician at the Harvard School of Public Health.
the Jeanne e. Griffith mentoring Award committee
This experience inspired her to further her education at the
University of Washington, where she earned a PhD in biosta-
is composed of six members who each serve a six-
tistics. Lin then taught biostatistics for six years at the Rollins
year term. Andy Orlin serves as emeritus member,
School of Public Health at Emory University. During this
thus providing continuity and historical perspective.
time, she collaborated with behavioral and social scientists,
epidemiologists, and clinician researchers.
Carol House, National Agricultural
Sherri L. Pals stated in her nominating letter that one of
statistics service (through 2015)
Lin’s greatest strengths as a mentor is her ability to help junior
staff develop the skills to collaborate with other scientists.
Emerson Elliott, National Center for
Pals said Lin is “quick to provide support, motivation, and
education statistics (through 2014)
help with problemsolving.” She continued, “Lillian frequently
encourages those of us on her team to participate in opportu-
Stephanie Shipp, science and technology
nities for training and growth, and she also takes an active role
Policy Institute (through 2013)
in providing these opportunities.”
Lin’s supervisor, Timothy Green, said, “She has nurtured
Clyde Tucker, Bureau of Labor statistics
each new staff member, helping him or her to focus on role
(through 2012)
definition and to become productive, respected contributors
Dan Kasprzyk, mathematica Policy
to scientific projects throughout the division.” He also noted
that she has worked diligently “to encourage her staff to pres-
Research (through 2011)
ent their work at professional meetings, attend relevant train-
Beth Kilss, IRs, statistics of Income,
ings and conferences, and develop nonstatistical skills such as
oral and written communication.”
retired (through 2010)
Others who work with Lin said she is an advocate for con-
tinuing education, supports and fosters both the statistical
and personal growth of junior statisticians, takes time to listen
to her employees and values what they say and feel, plans
ahead and tries to improve the work environment in which
her team operates, and builds links across the statistical com-
new employee to learn about their strengths and
munity at CDC.
personal interests; teaching basic statistical skills, team
Green, who was unable to attend the ceremony, wrote a
protocol, and how to mitigate tough situations and
note congratulating Lin and saying the following:
tough customers so employees will eventually lead
their own projects; and pairing each new employee Several years ago, as we were in the process of
with a senior staff member of the team so they can removing the “acting” from your title, I was asked by
learn and develop. a member of the senior division leadership, “Is she
the best statistician available?” Before I could answer,
Cecco, in conveying his thanks, talked about the five ingre-
Janssen, then our division director, put it perfectly:
dients for creating an ideal mentoring environment: trust;
“That’s not what’s most important. What is most
carving out the necessary time to devote to your employees; a
important is that she is the best possible team leader
caring attitude; an understanding of the differences between an
who happens to be a very competent statistician.”
employee’s skills, knowledge, and talent; and knowing when to
The subsequent years and experiences we have shared
let go. “In time, the mentee becomes a peer of sorts, and even-
together have proven the truth of his statement and
tually, in some cases, the mentee grows in a particular direc-
the wisdom of our decision. Please don’t leave until
tion where he/she becomes the teacher of the mentor …,” said
I retire!
Cecco. “Over the course of time, they have become experts in
various statistical areas. When this happens, the mentor knows Lin, in her comments upon receiving the award, said
he/she has accomplished their job.” the following:
Lillian S. Lin is a mathematical statistician in the Division
of HIV and AIDS Prevention at the Centers for Disease
I commend the sponsors for supporting this award, as
Control and Prevention. Lin has served as the lead math-
mentoring is not taught in graduate school, yet we all
ematical statistician for the Statistical Science Team in the
need mentoring. As a statistician, I didn’t want to be
Quantitative Sciences and Data Management Branch since
redundant. My additional thought is that mentoring
2002. Under her leadership, 12 statisticians collaborate with
is not only about offering ideas on achieving goals,
scientific researchers and program officials throughout the
but also helping someone understand their own
division. Lillian also regularly organizes continuing education
growth edge. Most statisticians are eager to develop
activities for statisticians at CDC.
their technical skills. It’s harder for us to understand
52 AmstAt News AUGUST 2009
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