Remembering Aya by Doing (by Galit Shmueli)

It's been a week since I received the sad news about Aya's passing away. After the initial shock, numbness and huge wave of sadness descended on me, Aya's spirit pushed me into action.
In complete opposite to her petite, fragile body, Aya was passionate, active, and fearless. She was always in action: running a lab, conducting research, thinking, meeting, teaching, connecting, laughing, organizing, and more. She once told me that she does a lot of thinking while cleaning the house!

Aya was my Masters and PhD advisor (1994-2000). She was an incredibly smart mentor, sensing where and when she needed to push me and when to let me lead my own way, so that I can own my successes. She supported my first trip to a conference in Italy during my Masters degree by foregoing her part of a research prize we won together. She encouraged me during the difficult time of searching for a research problem, by showing that she had faith in me. And most importantly: she served as an amazing role model. I did not intend to become a professor, nor did I have academicians in my family. In hindsight I know that it is Aya's subtle and beautiful influence that pushed me into the academic path, which I love.

Aya's mentorship model extended not only to academic life, but also to the importance of relationships. She not only invested a lot in our adviser-advisee relationship (when she had plenty of burning other work and relationships to maintain), but also connected me into her personal life and embraced my own family into hers. Aya & Elisha hosted us at their home so many times, they attended our small wedding, and have kept in contact with us all these years. Their model of a loving couple who are always supportive and open to each other's interests and career has touched and influenced us deeply. In my almost 20 years in academia, I have not seen many such personal mentoring relationships, and am indebted to Aya's model setting for my own future, and for my mentoring of students.

Aya's enthusiasm in her research, teaching, and lab projects was infectious. Her energy was one of openness, inquisitiveness, and inclusiveness. That's why she had so many life-long collaborators, and why her students, mentees, and collaborators have had such warm and personal relationships with her.

Aya was a pioneer of "massive online open courses" (MOOCs) long before they were invented! Her recorded Intro to Statistics course, which used to be on VHS tapes in the IE&M library, are now on YouTube! They have been viewed by thousands of students over the years. Aya was a real techie -- she combined different methods of instruction (blackboard, blank foils, printed foils) and used Hebrew and English terms! And most importantly, she connected with the audience with a friendly and warm tone that allowed many to overcome their statistics-phobia.




Aya had an incredible memory: she remembered birthdays, anniversaries, and other important events of many people beyond her family and close friends. With such a memory, and a life full of detailed and careful statistical work, she was a true encyclopedia. And yet she was so modest. Once, 10 years into my career, I was perplexed by a statistical concept I've never heard of before. When I asked Aya about it, she said don't worry, even expert statisticians have a lot of missing knowledge. I call those "black holes".

Following Aya's lead, I used this week for contemplation-while-being-in-action. We started putting together an obituary for AmstatNews, and re-opened this blog that commemorated her retirement in 2008. Reading through the lovely posts from back then, and seeing the later posts, reflections, and photos Aya herself added, gives me solace.

Aya has touched and embraced the lives of so many of us. Her work and life were meaningful and important to so many. She will forever continue being my role model. And when I miss her too much, her videos will bring her liveliness right back.

Galit Shmueli
Taipei, Taiwan