UTA researcher recognized for data science leadership

Xinlei “Sherry” Wang, director for research in the Division of Data Science at The University of Texas at Arlington, has been named a 2024 fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA).

Wang, the Jenkins Garret Endowed Professor of Statistics and Data Science, was selected for her outstanding contributions in developing and applying statistical and computational methods to complex data challenges, for excellence in mentoring doctoral students and junior researchers and for exceptional leadership of data science programs.

Founded in 1839, ASA is the world’s largest community of statisticians and the second oldest continuously operating professional association in the country. ASA fellows have been designated for nearly 100 years, and only up to one-third of 1% of the total association membership can be elected each year.

“I am honored to be elected an ASA fellow and recognized by my profession,” Wang said. “I’m truly grateful for the support I’ve received from my department, college and University since I joined UTA, which undoubtedly contributed to this achievement.”

Wang came to UTA in January 2023 as director of the College of Science’s newly created Center for Data Science Research and Education. She and her colleagues launched UTA’s first graduate degree in data science in fall 2023.

In January 2024, College of Science Dean Morteza Khaledi appointed Wang as director for research of the new Division of Data Science, which serves as a hub to organize, provide infrastructure support and facilitate growth in instructional and research programs involving data science.

“Dr. Wang is very deserving of this honor of being named an ASA fellow,” Dr. Khaledi said. “This recognition is a testament to her outstanding scholarship. She has played a major role in building and advancing our data science program in the College of Science, and we’re very fortunate to have her here at UTA.”

Wang received a Bachelor of Science in automatic control from the University of Science and Technology of China in 1997, a master’s in statistics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1998 and a doctorate in decision science and statistics from UT Austin in 2002. Her research has been funded by major grants from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

She has authored or co-authored more than 90 papers in refereed publications and made more than 75 presentations at conferences and seminars around the world. She has directed Ph.D. dissertations for 19 students, with seven more in progress.

Wang has been an ASA member since 1999 and has served the ASA in various capacities, including as vice president (2009-10) and president (2010-11) of the North Texas Chapter. She will be formally recognized as a 2024 fellow at an awards ceremony at the 2024 Joint Statistical Meetings in Portland, Oregon, in August.