WSSU’s mathematics chair Dr. Felicia Simpson honored with inaugural international biostatistics award

Dr. Felicia R. Simpson, chair and associate professor in the Department of Mathematics at Winston-Salem State University, has been honored as the first-ever recipient of the Eastern North American Region (ENAR) International Biometric Society’s Dionne Price Early Career PIONEER Award in Biostatistics.

Simpson received the award during the Presidential Invited Address of the ENAR Spring meeting in New Orleans on March 24 in front of an audience that included 12 WSSU mathematics majors who attended the conference alongside their professor and mentor.

The ENAR Dionne Price Early Career PIONEER Award in Biostatistics honors early-career professionals who demonstrate innovation in mentoring, service to the biostatistics community, and impactful contributions to the field. It was established to commemorate the enduring legacy of Dr. Dionne L. Price.

In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Simpson paid tribute to Price, the award’s namesake, who was a trailblazing statistician and the first African American president of the American Statistical Association.

"I am truly honored to be the 2025 inaugural recipient of the ENAR Dionne Price Early Career PIONEER Award in Biostatistics,” Simpson said. “Dr. Price was an innovative, passionate, caring and selfless pioneer in the field of statistics. Words cannot express my gratitude for her guidance and support during my graduate studies and career. She was an amazing mentor and friend.”

Simpson went on to express deep appreciation for the ENAR Awards Committee and acknowledged her fellow nominees for their outstanding contributions to statistics, biostatistics, and data science.

She also took time to thank her personal support network:

“Special thank you to my wonderful husband and daughter, who are my support system, inspiration, and my ‘why’ for everything I do,” she said. “To my husband, Dr. Sean Lorenzo Simpson, thank you for believing in my capabilities and always encouraging me, especially when I start doubting myself.”

Her message to students and mentees was equally moving:

“I’m extremely proud of all of your accomplishments, determination and drive. The sky is the limit for you all. I can’t wait to see all the wonderful impacts each of you will make in the field of statistics,” she said.

Simpson dedicated the award to the memory of her late mother and aunts, recognizing the foundational role their love and sacrifices played in her life and success.

For WSSU, this recognition not only highlights Simpson’s exceptional accomplishments but also underscores the university’s commitment to fostering excellence and leadership in mathematics and data science.

To learn more about the ENAR Dionne Price Award, visit ENAR.org.