One of a kind

Aya and I first met when I came to her office asking for guidance in a statistical matter related to my thesis research. I heard so much about her -- a well known top statistician with many years of experience in research, practice and teaching -- I expected someone bigger. I was so surprised to see this tiny elegant lady with a friendly face behind the disproportionally large desk. But as we started talking I realized just how “big” she really is. I was amazed by her ability to learn any problem so quickly, simplify even the most complicated elements and suggest potential solutions based on her enormous professional experience, and all in such an elegant and diplomatic manner. Today, more than four years later, I can say that this was just the tip of the iceberg. As I got to know Aya better, as a member of the statistical lab and as her TA, I realized just how unique she is. As the head of the statistics lab, with her ability to lead a team with diverse knowledge and abilities, strengthen the qualities of each one of us and manage projects that meet the needs of so many satisfied customers; As a teacher, who revealed the applicable side of statistics to many generations of students; As a friend, who is always willing to give a hand and always seems to find the right words to say and the right thing to do to make things better; And, as a mentor, who guided me based on her life time experience. As I opened the door to your office four years ago, I didn’t realize it was going to have such an impact on my life.