Simon Sheather
of Texas A&M
University is one
of the winners
of the Statistics
She went on to say “Companies
in Chemistry
have been enjoying the fresh talent
Award.
and are getting the satisfaction of
‘training problemsolvers for the
future,’ the department’s motto.
From the company’s point of view,
they get access to highly trained
Statistics in Chemistry Award
and well-motivated students,
but only require a fraction of the
The purpose of the Statistics in Chemistry
cost required for a permanent
Award is to recognize outstanding col-
Pam Arroway, assistant
employee. Because of the fixed
laborative endeavors between statisticians
Alan Menius, group direc-
department head and
tor of discovery analytics
term of the contract, companies
and chemists. This award is sponsored
codirector of graduate
at GlaxoSmithKline
are also able to hire trainees when
by the Chemometrics Committee of the
programs at North Carolina they need help for large projects
ASA Section on Physical and Engineering
State University
without committing to permanent
Sciences. The winners are Cliff Spiegelman,
employment. Though it is not an
William D. James, and Simon J. Sheather
of Texas A&M University; William A.
Tobin and Stuart Wexler of Hightstown
T
he ASA established the Statistical expectation, companies do often end up
Partnerships among Academe, hiring many of these students, so the GIT
Industry, and Government (SPAIG) period can often be viewed as the oppor-
High School, East Windsor, New Jersey; and
Award in 2002 to recognize outstanding tunity to observe a potential employee. Of
D. Max Roundhill of Chem Consulting.
partnerships established between academe course, the department benefits by receiv-
The citation for the award reads “Chemical
and business, industry, and government ing much-needed funds to prepare well-
and Forensic Analysis of JFK Assassination
organizations and to promote new partner- trained students. Eventually, besides the
Bullet Lots: Is a Second Shooter Possible?”
ships. It is the only ASA award that recog- success of faculty research and teaching,
nizes organizations. the success of the department is measured
This year, the SPAIG committee present- by the success of their alumni.”
ed its award to the Department of Statistics According to Alan Menius, group
at North Carolina State University and director of discovery analytics at GSK,
GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK). “Large companies historically establish
Their partnership, which began in 1982, is and maintain numerous collaborations
called the Graduate Industrial Traineeship with academia. This GIT program shares a
(GIT) program. “The GIT program is train- common vision and excellent interactions
ing the critical thinkers, team players, and between GSK and NCSU where research,
problemsolvers who are needed globally,” said problemsolving, and training happen nat-
Sastry Pantula, head of the Department of urally.” The partnership with GSK served
Statistics at North Carolina State University. as a catalyst to generate additional GIT
Michelle Quinlan, Nicholas Johnson,
According to Pam Arroway, assistant opportunities with other local companies,
University of Portland State
department head and codirector of graduate such as SAS, Quintiles, PPD, Clinsys,
Nebraska-Lincoln University
programs at North Carolina State University, Inspire Pharmaceuticals, and Rho Inc.
“The GIT program is a win-win-win pro- Several students obtained permanent posi-
Cox Race Winners
gram. Students, companies, and the depart- tions at GSK and other sponsors through
The Cox Race took place Tuesday, August ment all benefit. From the students’ point of their training experiences. The GIT pro-
5, at 7 a.m. on the bike path of the Platt view, everything is covered: stipend, tuition, gram also has resulted in numerous disser-
River in Denver, Colorado. Two races were and health insurance. Moreover, all our grad- tations and journal articles.
run concurrently—a competitive 5k race uate students are eligible to participate. Most The SPAIG committee congratulates the
and a 2.5k fun run/walk. The women’s importantly, students get a valuable work Department of Statistics at North Carolina
first-place winner, finishing at 20:01, was experience as well as training in soft skills. State University and GlaxoSmithKline for
Michelle Quinlan, a PhD student at the For many of our graduates, having long-term their outstanding partnership. For more
University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The men’s work experience makes their resumes stand information about the SPAIG Award, visit
first-place winner was Nicholas Johnson out. The experience also helps the student www.svsu.edu/orgs/spaig or contact Rahul
of Portland State University, who finished to evaluate the type of position they want to Parsa at rahul.parsa@drake.edu or Morteza
with a time of 18:12. pursue in the future.” Marzjarani at Marzjara@svsu.edu. n
30 AMSTAT NEWS OCTOBER 2008
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