Join the R Consortium for an enlightening webinar on March 20th, 2024, at 4:00 PM ET, featuring Mine Cetinkaya-Rundel, Professor of the Practice of Statistical Science at Duke University. Discover the innovative Quarto tool to streamline the creation of reproducible, publication-ready manuscripts.

Register here!

Key Highlights:

• Quarto Manuscripts Introduction: Learn how to easily integrate reproducibility into your research with Quarto’s user-friendly features, creating comprehensive bundled outputs ready for journal submission.

• Interactive Demo: Witness a live demonstration of Quarto in action, showcasing how to enhance your current manuscript preparation process and address common challenges.

• Expert Guidance: Gain insights from Mine Cetinkaya-Rundel’s extensive experience in statistical science and reproducible research, offering valuable tips for improving your workflow.

Event Details:

When: March 20th, 2024, at 4:00 PM ET

Don’t miss this opportunity to refine your manuscript preparation process with the latest advancements in reproducibility technology.

Register now!

In the rapidly evolving sphere of pharmaceutical data analysis, a significant transition is taking place – the shift from traditional SAS to the versatile R programming language. Pfizer, a trailblazer in the pharmaceutical industry, is leading this change. We are excited to invite you to an exclusive webinar that will cover details about how Pfizer has succeeded and what the benefits are: “From Vision to Action: The Pfizer R Center of Excellence-led Journey to R Adoption,” scheduled for February 8th, 2024, at 3:00 pm ET.

Register Now!

Pfizer’s Progressive Shift to R:

At the heart of Pfizer’s data analysis revolution is the adoption of R – a language known for its robust community-driven development and open-source nature. This move is not just about changing tools; it’s about embracing a culture of innovation and collaboration.

The journey began with an internal query at Pfizer: How many of our colleagues are proficient in R? The answer led to the unveiling of a latent community of R users, eager yet unconnected. In 2022, an internal survey highlighted the presence of over 1,500 R users, a clear sign of a burgeoning community within Pfizer.

In response, Pfizer established the R Center of Excellence (CoE) in 2022. This initiative marked a shift from scattered individual efforts to a cohesive, strategic approach to R adoption. The CoE, celebrating its first anniversary in 2023, has become a linchpin in nurturing Pfizer’s vibrant R community.

Webinar Highlights:

This upcoming webinar, hosted by the R consortium, is more than just a case study. It’s a treasure trove of insights for fostering an engaged R community. The session will cover:

• Pfizer’s journey in building a robust R community.
• Practical strategies applicable across various industries.
• Understanding the critical role of an engaged R community in data analysis.

Join Us for the Webinar:

This is an unmissable opportunity for anyone interested in data science, R programming, or community building within large organizations. By attending this webinar, you will gain firsthand insights into how Pfizer successfully integrated R into its data analysis practices and how you can apply these learnings to your organization.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Pfizer’s experience and expertise. Register now for the webinar on February 8, 2024, at 3:00 pm ET and be a part of the conversation shaping the future of pharmaceutical data analysis.

Register Now!

Hello, Data Enthusiasts!

Are you ready to take your data visualization skills to the next level in the fascinating world of survival analysis? We’re thrilled to invite you to our exclusive webinar: “Visualizing Survival Data with the {ggsurvfit} R Package.” Mark your calendars for January 25, 2024, at 7:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)!

Register here! 

Why This Webinar is a Must-Attend

The {ggsurvfit} package is designed for both beginners and seasoned data scientists. It streamlines the process of generating publication-quality, time-to-event, or survival analysis graphs. And the best part? It’s built on the backbone of the beloved {ggplot2} package, marrying simplicity with sophistication.

What You Will Learn

Our interactive session will dive deep into how the {ggsurvfit} functions, like add_confidence_interval() and add_risktable(), seamlessly integrate as {ggplot2} ‘geoms.’ This means you can spruce up your plots using the familiar {ggplot2} toolkit sans the headache of mastering new coding syntax.

It’s not just about learning a new tool – it’s about enriching your data storytelling capabilities.

The Perks of Joining

• Interactive Learning: Engage with experts and peers in an interactive online setting.
• Skill Enhancement: Elevate your data visualization prowess, specifically in survival analysis.
• Network Building: Connect with fellow data enthusiasts and professionals from diverse fields.

Register Now! 

See you there, where data meets innovation!

Introduction:

The actuarial profession is on the cusp of a transformation spearheaded by integrating programming into the traditional spreadsheet-based workflow. Georgios Bakoloukas, Head Model and Analytics, Swiss Re and Benedikt Schamberger, Head Atelier Technology & AI Consulting, Swiss Re, are at the forefront of this paradigm shift. 

This blog encapsulates 4 upcoming webinars showcasing the journey from Excel to high-performance programming in R. The webinars are scheduled to be broadcast in January 2024, and you can participate directly. Beginners are welcome.

Webinars by Georgios Bakoloukas:

1. From Excel to Programming in R

            Date: January 10th, 2023

            Duration: 30 minutes

Georgios will introduce a compelling case for why actuaries should embrace R programming while continuing to use Excel. The session promises to demystify the transition, using insurance industry examples, to demonstrate the benefits of adopting a programming mindset alongside familiar spreadsheet computing.

2. Putting R into Production

            Date: January 17th, 2023

            Duration: 30 minutes

The follow-up webinar takes the discussion from solving problems in R to sharing these solutions. Georgios will cover documentation, testing, and dissemination using R’s packaging, Web API creation, and GUI generation through Shiny. This practical approach ensures that coding efforts are not siloed but add value across the organization.

Webinars by Benedikt Schamberger:

3. R Performance Culture

            Date: January 24th, 2023

            Duration: 30 minutes

Benedikt will address the nuances of optimizing code performance in R. Acknowledging that premature optimization might be detrimental, he will provide insights into when and how to refine code. The session includes a look at R’s design philosophy regarding performance and the tools available for tuning.

4. High-Performance Programming in R

            Date: January 31st, 2023

            Duration: 30 minutes

Continuing the performance theme, Benedikt will delve into the limitations of CSV files and introduce binary formats that bolster efficiency. He will explore the arrow R package and the Parquet file format, demonstrating their potential to reduce time and disk space requirements significantly.

Conclusion:

These webinars offer a roadmap for actuarial professionals keen on enhancing their toolkit with programming capabilities. As the industry evolves, the skills taught by Georgios and Benedikt will become increasingly indispensable, marking a step towards a more innovative and efficient actuarial future.

Please join us to learn more about actuarial science here.

The use of the R programming language has seen exponential growth across industries, with its role being especially pronounced in the pharmaceutical sector. Japan stands out in this growth narrative, thanks in part to the initiatives of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA). Before diving into the webinar insights, understanding JPMA’s profound influence and contributions is essential.

About JPMA

Established in 1968, JPMA is a voluntary consortium of 71 research-centric pharmaceutical firms. With its core mission of “realizing patient-oriented healthcare,” JPMA has tirelessly worked towards enhancing global healthcare through the formulation of pioneering ethical drugs.

Summary of the Webinar’s Concept

The Adoption of R in Japan’s Pharma Industry talk and panel discussion will be led by key industry experts from the JPMA R Task Force Team. The webinar explores the usage and adoption of the R in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically focusing on the findings of the JPMA Drug Evaluation Committee, R Task Force Team, and the JPMA Report. The report references various open source works and publications, including those from the R Consortium pilot submissions, Package Validation Hub, and webinar training.

Agenda of the Webinar:

• General Background (10-15 minutes)
  • PMDA: Highlighting the intricacies of submissions with R.
  • JPMA R Task Force: Delving into past activities and shedding light on future initiatives.
• JPMA Survey Report (15-20 minutes)
  • Background: Understanding the rationale and motivation behind the JPMA survey.
  • Results: Discuss key findings and their implications for the industry.
• Q&A Session (15 minutes)

Date and Time: Tues, Jan 9, 2024 at 9:00 am JST / Jan 8, 2024 at 4:00 pm PT / 7:00 pm ET

Conclusion:

Under the auspices of JPMA’s guiding principles, the webinar will present a comprehensive glimpse into R’s evolving role in Japan’s pharmaceutical landscape. The dedication of JPMA, combined with the increasing relevance of R, signifies an exciting chapter in the pharmaceutical domain’s data-driven journey.

Join the JPMA webinar to learn more about R’s pharmaceutical achievements! 

Register here!

Abstract:

Join us on November 28th for our last Community meeting of 2023. The R Validation Hub’s Executive Committee will summarize this year’s achievements, our presence at conferences and other key moments to celebrate.

Agenda:

• Looking Back on 2023 (20 minutes): Review the year’s highlights, including conferences and working group summaries.
• Focus of the Reg R Repo Working Group (20 minutes): Insights into the group’s initiatives and achievements.
• Open Discussion (20 minutes): An interactive session for feedback and community engagement.

Conclusion:

Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on 2023 and contribute to shaping our direction for 2024. Join us for a session filled with insights, networking, and community spirit.

Join the community call! (Microsoft Teams meeting)