UF ISE Fall 2021 Distinguished Seminar Series

Details

Peter Parker, Ph.D., P.E.
Team Lead for Advanced Measurement Systems
National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Langley Research Center

Abstract: Infusing Statistical Engineering at NASA

The discipline of statistical engineering has gained recognition within NASA by spurring innovation and efficiency, and it has demonstrated significant impact.  Aerospace research and development benefits from an application-focused statistical engineering perspective to accelerate learning, maximize knowledge, ensure strategic resource investment, and inform data-driven decisions.  In practice, a statistical engineering approach features immersive collaboration and teaming with non-statistical disciplines to develop solution strategies that integrate statistical methods with subject-matter expertise to meet challenging research objectives.  This presentation provides an overview of infusing statistical engineering at NASA and illustrates its practice through pioneering case studies in aeronautics, space exploration, and atmospheric science.

About Peter Parker, Ph.D., P.E.

Dr. Peter Parker is Team Lead for Advanced Measurement Systems at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.  He serves as an Agency-wide statistical expert across NASA’s Aeronautics, Exploration, and Science mission directorates to infuse statistical thinking, engineering, and methods.  His expertise is in collaboratively integrating research objectives, measurement sciences, modeling and simulation, and experimental test design to produce actionable knowledge to enable rigorous decision-making in aerospace research and development.  After eight years in private industry, Dr. Parker joined NASA Langley Research Center in 1997.

He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, a M.S. in Applied Physics and Computer Science, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Statistics from Virginia Tech.  He is a licensed Professional Mechanical Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Dr. Parker is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Senior Member of the American Society for Quality and American Statistical Association.  Dr. Parker is past-Chair of ASQ’s Publication Management Board and Journal Editor’s Committee, and Editor Emeritus of Quality Engineering.  He currently serves as Chair-Elect of the International Statistical Engineering Association.