Jerry Sacks and NISS

Metro Toronto Convention Centre 

Even before NISS existed, Jerry Sacks was a moving force in its creation, by understanding and articulating the need for cross-disciplinary research involving the statistical sciences. Based on my eight years as Associate Director under Jerry and 14 years as Director, I will highlight the ups and downs of the early years of NISS. During that time, NISS evolved from four offices in rented space to a building of its own, which was ultimately shared with SAMSI. I will also focus on Jerry's and NISS' scientific heritage, both in terms of specifics and in making cross-disciplinary research commonplace in statistics. The presentation will include many photographs, not only of Jerry, but also others who helped put NISS on the path that has enabled it to thrive for more than 30 years.