Educational Ambassadors

Educational Ambassador Program


The Educational Ambassador program was established by Martha Aliaga, former ASA director of education. Martha was passionate about statistical education and international outreach. We remember and honor her extensive contributions to enhance statistics education globally with this program. The program is now supported by the Committee on International Relations in Statistics, helps support this program. 
Read more about Martha, her life, and her legacy.

Each year, the program funds one ambassador from a country with demonstrated need, where there is  a clear benefit to the country (often but not exclusively a developing country) to attend Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) and to take continuing education (CE) courses in emerging areas of research. Candidates are required to have a postgraduate degree (PhD preferred but not required) in biostatistics or statistics and an interest in teaching and disseminating information. After attending CE courses, within the next year, the Educational Ambassador will teach and disseminate information in their country and/or region related to the subject matter covered in at least one CE course to at least 10 students.

Episode 56: Amplifying Global Impact Through the ASA’s Educational Ambassador Program

What happens when you combine statistical expertise, cross-cultural collaboration, and a mission to build statistical capacity internationally? You get the ASA’s Educational Ambassador Program—and one inspiring episode of Practical Significance! Cohosts Donna LaLonde and Ron Wasserstein sit down for a lively conversation with three dynamic guests: Carolina Franco (NORC at The University of Chicago); Andrzej Kosinski (Duke University School of Medicine); and Paulo Canas Rodrigues (Federal University of Bahia).

Meet the 2026 Educational Ambassador: Leidy Zabala!

Leidy D. Zabala De Los Santos is a statistician from the Dominican Republic, Head of the National School of Statistics at the National Statistics Office (ONE), and a faculty member in the Department of Statistics at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD). Throughout her career, Leidy has worked at the intersection of official statistics, higher education, and capacity development, with the goal of strengthening statistical literacy, modernizing statistical practice, and expanding opportunities for the next generation of statisticians in her country.

Her interests include official statistics, data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistical education, and the responsible use of emerging technologies for evidence-based decision-making. In particular, Leidy is passionate about bridging the gap between academic training and real-world statistical applications, ensuring that students and professionals develop both strong methodological foundations and the skills needed to address contemporary data challenges.

As an ASA Educational Ambassador, Leidy hopes to contribute to the growth of the statistical profession in the Dominican Republic by promoting access to modern statistical methods, fostering collaboration between academia and the National Statistical System, and supporting the integration of data science and artificial intelligence into statistical education. Through teaching, mentoring, workshops, and curriculum development, she aspires to help build a stronger and more innovative statistical community that can respond to the increasing demand for high-quality data, official statistics, and evidence-based public policy.

One of her long-term goals is to establish a research and innovation environment where students, researchers, and practitioners can work together to apply modern statistical and data science methods to official and administrative data. She believes that investing in statistical education and professional development is essential for strengthening institutions, improving decision-making, and advancing sustainable development.

2027 Educational Ambassador Application

ASA membership is available to residents of economically developing countries as designated by the World Bank. 

Members from the designated developing countries will receive online subscriptions to Amstat News, Significance and Chance magazines; online access to ASA’s Journals and the Current Index to Statistics; ASA Member News; and significant discounts on meetings, products, continuing education courses.