This October, the Exhibition Hall of Georgia Tech resonated with the bustling energy of over 150 statisticians and data scientists gathered for the Georgia Statistics Day (GSD) 2023, an annual symposium initiated in 2015 by Prof. Jeff Wu, with the vision of promoting interdisciplinary statistics research among Georgia's flagship academic institutions.

His foresight in nurturing junior researchers and stimulating practically relevant research has been pivotal in shaping the event's objectives. This year's symposium, hosted by Georgia Tech, marked an exceptional turnout, surpassing recent year attendance records and underscoring the growing enthusiasm in this field.

The event kicked off with a warm welcome remark by event organizing committee member Prof. Shihao Yang, ISyE School Chair Prof. Edwin Romeijn, and Chair Professor Roshan Joseph, emphasizing the collective efforts of the three pivotal institutions: The University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Emory University.

The highlight of the opening was the keynote address by Professor Samuel Kou from Harvard University, who captivated the audience with insights on 'Catalytic Prior Distributions for Bayesian Inference'.

GSD 2023 was remarkable not just for its record attendance but also for the diversity of its participants. Attendees ranged from undergraduate students to seasoned faculty members, representing various universities and stages in their academic and professional journeys. What was particularly noteworthy was the breadth of research presented: 12 oral presentations and 30 poster presentations provided a platform for a rich exchange of ideas and the latest advancements in statistics and data science.

The event wasn’t just about presentations; it also recognized the hard work and talent of its participants, with an award ceremony celebrating outstanding student contributions, where the best poster award was presented to ISyE PhD candidate Tianjiao Li.

This emphasis on mentorship and recognition is a testament to the supportive academic culture we nurture here at Georgia Tech.

This remarkable gathering was made possible through the generous support of several sponsors from within our institution, including the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, the College of Engineering Dean’s Office, the Office of Undergraduate Research, and the Provost’s Office, along with external sponsors such as Wells Fargo, the ASA GA Chapter, and Georgia CTSA.

As GSD 2023 concluded, it was clear that the symposium had not only celebrated current achievements but had also laid a path of intellectual rigor and collaborative spirit for the years ahead. With GSD 2024 slated to be at Emory University and GSD 2025 at the University of Georgia, the anticipation is palpable.

We are confident that the tradition of excellence will continue, and we wholeheartedly pass the baton, excited to see how these peer institutions will further enrich this vibrant academic dialogue. Our collective success is a shared one, and we look forward to contributing to and celebrating future achievements in our field, together.