aya and applied statistics in israel

when i think of applied statistics in israel aya is almost a synonym.

i believe we first met almost 30 years ago at bell laboratories when she was there with her husband.

at that time, applied statistics had strong advocates such as john tukey, george box and bill hunter, to name a few.

over time, more disciplines have started developing data analysis techniques and, "applied statistics" is now practiced and developed by computer scientists, physicists, engineers, biologists etc...

applied statistics in israeli academia has always been a minority. the interest of most ISA members is in theoretical developments, just look at the talks given at the annual conference.

aya has always been keen to help promote applied statistics. her talks at the ISA conferences and elsewhere have always been outsdaning demonstrations of what applied statistics with the highest standards looks like.

it is now understood by many that a proper mix of theory and application needs to be reached and i believe aya has the key to this.

given all that, i suggest that aya has a critical role to play in the future of statistics in israel. she is one of those unique individuals that can help the profession reach the right balance. and we need such help.

i wish her a good retirement with health and "nahat" from her close ones and hope she will help us achieve the right balance. what she can offer is critical to academia and industry in israel.

good luck in your next steps and looking forward to continued collaboration.

best,

ron kenett