Staff Spotlight
NISS to Host
Rochelle Edwards
Second Explorations
Workshop in Series
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It’s a great pleasure to be part of the won- The second Explorations workshop, “Commonalities in
derful staff at ASA, and I plan to remain
Unconnected Problems—Applications Driving Theory,” will
be held at the National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS)
here for many years to come
null
. and Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute
in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, November 20–21.
The workshop focus is exploring the potential for statistical
advances in agent-based modeling and identifying the open
I
joined the ASA staff in June
problems in theory, methodology, and implementation.
2007 as the accounts receiv-
Ben Kelems of the Brookings Institute is the keynote speak-
able specialist. My primary
er. Other speakers will address topics ranging from human
duties were making deposits, pro-
behavior and sociology to defense to epidemics. Technical
cessing credit cards, initializing
modeling issues will be addressed from statistical, mathe-
batches, and keying ASA cash
matical, and computational perspectives. The full program
receipts (i.e., money that does not
and registration information can be found at
www.niss.org/
come from memberships, sub-
affiliates/agent-based-modeling200811/abm_home.html.
scriptions, or order entry). Within
Explorations workshops were initiated by NISS to iden-
nine months and with the depar-
tify new roles for statistics and new opportunities for effec-
ture of Grace Samonte (my men-
tive statistical input and/or collaboration. The goals are to
tor), I made a lateral move to the
stimulate statistical innovation and to set an agenda for
accounts payable specialist posi-
the development of new statistical approaches or novel
tion. Now, my primary tasks are
Edwards
implementation of existing statistical technologies for
accurately processing invoice pay-
scientific and policy areas that do or could benefit from
ments, reimbursements, and refunds in a timely manner. I also
their implementation.
answer enquiries regarding accounts payable.
The first day of the workshop will be devoted to presen-
My background is primarily in the field of customer service and
tations about motivating substantive problems and/or char-
accounts receivable/payable. Combined, I have more than 20 years
acterization of obstacles to research by those working in the
of professional experience. I’m your point of contact regarding
field and statisticians with specialized experience. The sec-
invoice payments, refunds, and reimbursements. Also feel free to
ond day will be a working meeting in “think tank” style—
contact me regarding accounts receivable questions—I’ll assist you
highly interactive and restricted in size so all participants
to the best of my ability.
are fully engaged in the characterization of open problems.
On a personal note, I was born and raised in Washington, DC,
The meeting will culminate in collaboratively (statistician/
and currently reside in Bladensburg, Maryland, just outside the
scientist) drafting a white paper that identifies key open
metropolitan area. The youngest of six siblings, I have one sister
issues for statistical development, proposes specific exper-
and four brothers, all of whom live in the Washington metropolitan
tise and promising avenues to pursue, and outlines potential
area with the exception of a brother, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
I’m also the prideful sister of Terrance Edwards, who is serving a
research goals. The white paper is intended for publication on
tour of duty in Iraq until the end of 2008. (I really look forward
the NISS web site and perhaps elsewhere. Additionally, a
to his safe return.)
subset of the participants may decide to constitute a work-
Also born and raised in the DC metropolitan area are my two
ing group to collaborate on a specific research agenda arising
loving children, Christina and Malik. Christina recently ventured
from the meeting.
into young adulthood by obtaining and sharing an apartment with
The first in the NISS Explorations Workshop Series was
a close girlfriend and taking on the obstacles of being independent.
held at AAAS in February 2008 on data sharing, “Making
Malik resides at home with me and continues to achieve honors
Research Data Public: Intelligible or Just Available?”
academically, even as he enters the teen years. I’m so very proud
The third in the series is scheduled for February 2009 in
of them both. In my spare time, I enjoy watching movies, reading,
Washington, DC, on financial risk modeling.
and visiting with close friends.
Attendance at Exploration workshops is by pre-regis-
It’s a great pleasure to be part of the wonderful staff at the ASA,
tration. Space is limited, with preference given to partici-
and I plan to remain here for many years to come. Please feel free
pants interested in joining one of the smaller groups the
to contact me regarding receivable/payable enquiries, and I’ll gladly
second day to focus on formulating statistical challenges
assist you. n
and indicating potentially fruitful approaches.
NOVEMBER 2008 AMSTAT NEWS 7
AMSTAT November 08.indd 7 10/24/08 2:27:37 PM
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