Bridging data and industry: Purdue faculty lead new ASA interest group
03-24-2026
A new initiative within the American Statistical Association is positioning Purdue researchers at the forefront of an emerging area where data, engineering and industry intersect.
The association recently approved the formation of the Interest Group on Statistics for Heavy Equipment Industries (HEI), led by Purdue Statistics Department Head and J.O. Berger and M.E. Bock Professor Xiao Wang, along with Associate Professor Kiseop Lee. The group brings together statisticians, engineers and data scientists working across large-scale, engineering-driven sectors—from semiconductor manufacturing to aerospace and energy systems—where complex processes and long-term performance are central concerns.
The creation of an ASA interest group marks an early but important step in shaping a new area of statistical application. Within the ASA, interest groups often serve as incubators for emerging fields. Over time, successful groups may be elevated to full sections, reflecting sustained growth and impact within the discipline.
The HEI group is designed to address challenges unique to capital-intensive industries, where production systems often involve multiple stages, large volumes of data and long operational lifecycles. In these environments, statistical methods play a key role in improving reliability, monitoring quality and guiding decision-making across design, production and maintenance.
The group will focus on advancing approaches in areas such as process modeling, predictive maintenance and degradation analysis, while also supporting the integration of statistics with rapidly evolving technologies. These include real-time sensing systems, digital twins and artificial intelligence tools that are transforming modern manufacturing.
In addition to advancing research, the HEI Interest Group aims to strengthen connections between academia and industry. Planned activities include organizing sessions and workshops at ASA meetings and creating opportunities for collaboration among researchers and industry professionals working in advanced manufacturing systems.
That focus aligns closely with Purdue’s broader emphasis on industry engagement and applied research. The group’s formation also opens new pathways for collaboration with major industrial partners. Ongoing discussions include potential future work with SK Hynix in West Lafayette, whose semiconductor operations present complex statistical challenges and opportunities.
By establishing a dedicated professional community in this space, the HEI Interest Group highlights the growing importance of statistical science in modern industry. From improving manufacturing efficiency to supporting innovation in critical infrastructure sectors, the group reflects a broader shift toward data-informed engineering and production systems.
About the Department of Statistics at Purdue University
Our mission is to advance the frontiers of statistical sciences and data science in both theory and applications; to provide learning environments that produce well-educated data scientists, statisticians, probabilists, and quantitatively literate people; and to join with others in bringing the strengths of the statistical sciences to address societal needs. The Department offers the degrees of Bachelor of Science, Graduate Certificate, Master of Science, Online Master of Applied Statistics, and Ph.D. in Statistics. Our programs prepare students for careers in both industry and academia and prepare them to be leaders in their fields. The Department of Statistics is part of the College of Science at Purdue University and is housed in the Mathematical Sciences Building in West Lafayette, Indiana. Learn more about the department at stat.purdue.edu.
Written by: Alisha Willett, Communications Specialist, amwillet@purdue.edu
Contributors: Xiao Wang, wangxiao@purdue.edu
Kiseop Lee, kiseop@purdue.edu