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This editor profile is the fourth in a series which will introduce you to a selection of our editors.
This week we have an interview with Dr. Stanley P. Azen, Editor-in-Chief of Computational Statistics and Data Analysis
What aspect of being an editor do you find most rewarding?
I’m the founding editor of Computational Statistics and Data Analysis (CSDA). I was approached by Elsevier back in 1983. They were instrumental in giving me direction and advice. I’ve seen it evolve over the years from a quiet journal that published four issues per year to one that publishes 12 issues per year. I’ve seen it grow and I’m real proud of it.
What advice would you give to a new editor?
What’s really important is to get to know your associate editors so that things become more personalized. Second, identify other appropriate associate editors that are good handlers of articles, meaning that they’re responsive. Third, identify subjects and keywords that add dimension to the aims of the journal. Consider publishing special issues because that’s one way to build up the impact factors.
How do you balance your role as editor with your other roles?
It’s interesting because the journal is my baby. I am involved as a biostatistician in over $70 million in research grants, I am the director of the training program for over 100 students, and I’m the Associate Dean on issues of scientific content. Still, I make time every day to look at what is happening with the journal. During the week I take care of things in progress, over the weekend I’ll go over new submissions.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
My passion and love was and, in fact still is, for music. My first teacher was a student of Rachmaninoff, I wrote music that won an award at the Cannes Film Festival and I once had the privilege to turn pages for Stravinsky. It was my mom who pushed me to do mathematics.
Why did you choose biostatistics as your field of study?
Biostatistics takes mathematics and applies it to trans-disciplinary research so I’m not just sitting in a corner writing algorithms. Whether it’s a clinical trial or a genetics project, there’s always a biostatistician linked to the project. The beauty of it is that it still has those mathematical tools but the application helps humanity. There are new drugs, new treatments. I’m using these tools that contribute to making an impact. The application is what really turns me on versus the more abstract things.
Tell me about collaboration. What is the secret to success?
A lot of it has to do with your ability for being open to other people’s ideas. A lot of my college friends were incredibly bright but they didn’t know how to interact with others. Even in the training process you have to be able to listen. It isn’t something that you necessarily learn in school.
What gets you up in the morning?
Besides my dog? There’s no question when early morning rolls around, I can’t sleep and need to start working. I have as strong sense of responsibility. I’m compulsive in that regard.
What is your biggest achievement?
I definitely think the founding of CSDA is one of them. Also, the fact that I’ve published 300 papers in a wide range of areas and that I received an honorary doctorate from the University of Salerno. I am also quite proud of a study I wrote on how the elderly can achieve happiness in old age. The study is referred to as the “Well Elderly” study. My mother was a case example for the intervention strategy used in this study. She was the daughter of an immigrant family and, as a result, wasn’t able to pursue an education in her younger years. She was from the age where many women get married and have kids but they didn’t go to college. At some point I got tired of hearing her complain so I offered to help her apply for admission and pay for her living expenses. She rose to the challenge and entered the University of California at Santa Cruz when she was 68 years old. She received her PhD at the age of 78 having spent a summer at Oxford. Her dissertation was on how humor saves the oppressed, and she published her autobiography, Moving Tales, when she was 89.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
No question that my mom was an inspiration. And, of course, my wife who runs a large oncology research group at the City of Hope. She is a really good listener and she’s a great support.
What do you like to do for fun?
Music would be the main thing. And travel. I’ve been to Europe over 35 times. I like to rent a car and just drive. I’ve learned German, French and Spanish so I can communicate. My co-editors, who live and work in Europe and Asia, have been incredible. They’re warm, thoughtful and extremely helpful and I just love hanging around with them.
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