Faculty member profile featured in the spring 2024 issue of the department’s equity, diversity, and inclusion newsletter.
Tell us about yourself including your nationality, ethnicity, and culture.
I am Argentinian, with Jewish roots tracing back to Eastern Europe. My grandparents fled the pogroms and settled in Argentina, a country rich in cultural diversity and vibrant traditions. While I deeply value and uphold Jewish customs and values, I am equally passionate about Argentine culture. From the tango rhythms echoing through the streets of Buenos Aires to the delectable aroma of an asado (barbecue) filling the air during gatherings, Argentina's cultural tapestry is woven with warmth, passion, and a zest for life.
How did you come to be associated with the Department of Biostatistics?
My journey with the UW Department of Biostatistics began when Professor Marco Carone reached out to me in February 2020 while I was residing and working in Argentina. He invited me to apply for a professorial position within the department. The search entered a halt during the pandemic but my conversations with Marco resumed in January 2022.
Initially, I had no plans of leaving my homeland and embarking on a new professional chapter, however, Marco's persuasive efforts and the UW’s stellar reputation ignited my interest in joining the department. The UW Department of Biostatistics stands as a beacon of excellence in the field, renowned globally for its groundbreaking research and unwavering commitment to academic rigor. What drew me to the department was not only its distinguished faculty and impressive research legacy but also its culture of collaboration. The department's collaborative ethos extends beyond its boundaries, fostering partnerships with esteemed research institutions like the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and fostering interdisciplinary interactions within the university. The prospect of engaging in such a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment, coupled with the opportunity to collaborate with brilliant minds, ultimately compelled me to embrace this new professional endeavor. Additionally, my past interactions with graduates from the department have consistently underscored the caliber of training and intelligence nurtured within its walls, further solidifying my decision to embark on this journey with the Department of Biostatistics.
Tell us something we’d be surprised to know about? Hidden talent? Superpower?
I must confess, I don't possess any hidden talents or superpowers to boast of. However, if there's something that might come as a surprise, it's perhaps my limited knack for performing arts. In my younger days, I dabbled in various performance acts, and some acquaintances have even complimented my singing abilities. Though I haven't delved deeply into these pursuits, they remain cherished memories from my past.
What motivates you?
It motivates me to work closely with students, guiding them as they navigate their academic and professional paths, and assisting them in discovering their passions and interests. Additionally, I find immense motivation in developing statistical methods that address critical issues in public health and medicine. While I appreciate and enjoy theoretical work, I am most fulfilled when it directly contributes to solving real-world problems and making a tangible difference in people's lives.
Who/what has inspired you the most and why?
I have been inspired by so many people throughout my professional journey. Mentors and colleagues who generously and selflessly shaped me, teaching me everything I know today and, most importantly, helping me realize how much more there is to learn and understand. Among them, I highlight two giants of statistics: James Robins, my mentor, colleague, and friend for over 30 years, and Sir David Cox, with whom I had the immense fortune to work. I consider him my intellectual second father and guide until his recent passing at the age of 97. Having had the opportunity to observe each of them think, connect ideas, and generate new theories in real-time was an enormous and exquisite privilege bestowed upon me by life. But they were just two of the many intellectuals central to my professional life, and I hesitate to list them all because inevitably, many would be unjustly left out.
Of course, my gratitude also extends to my dear students because, in guiding them on their path of intellectual growth, I grew as much or more than they did. With many of my students, roles have now reversed, and I take delight in learning from reading their work.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Curious, enthusiastic, and empathetic.
More about Andrea Rotnitzky