Invited Addresses:
Robert M. Groves
Director of the U.S. Census Bureau
Dr. Robert M. Groves, was appointed director of the U.S. Census Bureau on July 15, 2009. Prior to his census appointment, he was a professor at the University of Michigan and director of its Survey Research Center, as well as a research professor at the Joint Program in Survey Methodology at the University of Maryland. Dr. Groves was the Census Bureau’s Associate Director for Statistical Design, Methodology and Standards from 1990 to 1992, on loan from the University of Michigan.
Groves has authored or co-authored seven books and scores of scientific articles. His 1989 book, Survey Errors and Survey Costs, was named one of the 50 most influential books in survey research by the American Association of Public Opinion Research. His book, Nonresponse in Household Interview Surveys, with Mick Couper, written during his time at the Census Bureau, received the 2008 AAPOR Book Award.
Among other honors, Dr. Groves is the recipient of the Innovator Award and the distinguished achievement award of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, the O’Neill Award of the New York Association for Public Opinion Research, the Helen Dinerman Award of the World Association for Public Opinion Research, and Julius Shiskin Memorial Award of the National Association of Business Economics and the American Statistical Association, in recognition of contributions in the development of economic statistics.
Dr. Groves has a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and master’s degree and PhD from the University of Michigan. He and his wife, Cynthia, have two sons: Christopher a recent graduate of Purdue University and Andrew, currently a student at Northwestern University.
Gregory Downing, D.O.
Ph.D.Executive Director for Innovation for the Immediate Office of the Secretary at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Gregory Downing, D.O., Ph.D. is the Executive Director for Innovation for the Immediate Office of the Secretary at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Prior to his move to HHS in 2006, Dr. Downing served at the National Institutes of Health since 1993 in research, policy, and program management roles. Dr. Downing earned his medical degree from Michigan State University and his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Kansas. He completed his residency in pediatrics and fellowship in neonatology before joining the faculty of the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the Department of Neonatology at The Children’s Mercy Hospital. Dr. Downing is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in pediatrics and neonatology – perinatal medicine.
