2021 Professional Development Webinar Series

Here are some of the NC ASA webinars in 2021. Watch all of NC ASA's webinars on our YouTube channel!   

Possible Hazards of Proportional Hazards Models
By: Sujit Ghosh
Date: Friday, October 15 
Abstract: The Cox proportional hazard (PH) model is widely used to determine the effects of risk factors and treatments on survival time of subjects that might be right censored. The selection of covariates may depend crucially on the specific form of the chosen conditional hazard model, which is often assumed to be PH, accelerated failure time (AFT), or proportional odds (PO). However, through empirical and theoretical examples show that none of these semiparametric models allow for the crossing of the survival functions and hence such strong assumptions may adversely affect the selection of variables. Moreover, the most commonly used PH assumption may also be violated when there is a delayed effect of the risk factors. A sequence of Bernstein polynomials based model is instead presented which provides (i) a smooth estimator of the conditional hazard function and is shown to be a unique solution of a strictly convex optimization problem; making it computationally attractive, (ii) a model that encompasses PH structure, and (iii) large sample properties including consistency and convergence rates established under a set of mild regularity conditions. Empirical results based on several simulated data scenarios indicate that the superior performances of the model and thereby shown to avoid possible hazards of the proportional hazard like assumptions.


Communication and Leadership Skills for Navigating your Professional Success
By: Elizabeth Mannshardt
Date: March 19, 2021
Abstract: Communication and Leadership Skills for Navigating Your Professional Success" highlights considerations beyond expertise in statistical methodologies. In a cross-disciplinary, global collaborative professional world, Power Skills such as communication are key tools. The rapidly expanding platform of collaborative work across disciplines often includes a variety of communications: from highly educated scientific colleagues, technical non-scientists with whom one collaborates in day-to-day work, briefings with senior management, to the media and the public as well as decision makers in policy. Building Power Skills can also help you develop leadership skills and define your leadership style. Together these can create options across many types of career paths. Combining experiences across academic research and teaching, industry, and government, Elizabeth will discuss how to develop power skills using real-world examples with actionable and practical techniques. The discussion includes a set of activities for participants - for immediate hands-on interaction as well as take-home reflection.