The University of Georgia Department of Statistics hosted its annual Industry Day on March 19, welcoming Dr. Ryan Lekivetz, Director of Advanced Analytics R&D at JMP, for a full day of discussions, student meetings, and a departmental colloquium.

The event brought together undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and research staff for a series of activities designed to bridge the gap between academic training and industry practice. From small-group meetings to a department-wide lecture, the visit offered students a valuable opportunity to engage directly with a leader in statistical software development.

Throughout the day, Lekivetz emphasized the wide range of roles statisticians can play in industry, particularly in areas such as software development, product design, and quality assurance. His lunch talk, “Navigating the Complexities of Statistical Software Development,” introduced students to the collaborative and multidisciplinary nature of the field. Around 20 students and eight faculty attended the lunch talk.

Several students consistently highlighted the impact of direct interaction with the speaker.

Undergraduate student Mr. Venugopala Nikhil Kapalavai wrote, “Since I am only a freshman, I often don't get a chance to meet people like this. Talking with him individually has helped me understand how the industry works and what they expect out of their new hires.”

Undergraduate student Ms. Natalie Trinh wrote, “I was able to learn about his journey transitioning from academia to industry and get tips on how to stand out with a statistics background. Those tips were extremely helpful.” Mid-Term Foundation Fellow Mr. Roy Wilkes wrote, “It was incredibly valuable to speak with such an accomplished expert in the field… his advice gave me a more complete understanding of the paths available to me.”

.       

Graduate students also reflected on how the event broadened their perspective on career opportunities. PhD student Mr. Xiaotian Wang wrote, “The talk opened my eyes to roles I had not previously considered… it gave me a much clearer picture of what an industry career could look like.” Mr. Dhruba Mandal wrote, “It was really interesting to see how statistical ideas could be applied in a practical way to identify bugs and improve confidence in results.” MS student Ms. Xing Shi wrote, “I truly admire the passion he has for his work… it made me realize that I want to find a sense of fulfillment in helping others.”

Lekivetz’s afternoon colloquium, “Applying DOE Principles to Statistical Software Testing,” demonstrated how concepts from design of experiments can be applied in nontraditional settings such as software testing. The talk highlighted how statistical thinking can improve efficiency and reliability in complex systems.

Faculty also noted the broader impact of the visit. Dr. Ting Zhang wrote, “It was a wonderful event that greatly benefited the department… it sparked interest and enthusiasm among both students and faculty.”

The event, organized by Dr. Abhyuday Mandal, was supported by the American Statistical Association’s Marquardt Memorial Industrial Speakers Program, which aims to connect students with professionals working in industry. By the end of the day, participants gained a deeper appreciation for the diverse applications of statistics and a clearer understanding of potential career paths.