We are excited to announce that abstract submissions for contributed oral presentations, student poster submissions, and registration are now open for the 43rd Annual Conference of Texas Statisticians (COTS), May 9-10, 2024. The conference will take place at the Houston Methodist Research Institute, located at 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030. The theme of the conference is “AI, Machine Learning and Other Related Statistical Techniques with Applications”. The following are the confirmed speakers (not in any order): • Brani Vidakovic, Ph.D. H. O. Hartley Chair and Department Head Department of Statistics Texas A&M University • Peter Mueller, Ph.D. Professor of Statistics and Mathematics University of Texas at Austin • Daniel F. Heitjan, Ph.D. Professor and Chair, Department of Statistics and Data Science Southern Methodist University • Samiran Ghosh, Ph.D. Professor and Vice Chair Department of Biostatistics and Data Science University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston • Yu Shen, Ph.D. Chair ad interim, Department of Biostatistics University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center • Marina Vannucci, Ph.D. Noah Harding Professor Department of Statistics Rice University • Rosen Ori, Ph.D. Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Mathematical Sciences University of Texas at El Paso • Alex Trindade, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Mathematics & Statistics Texas Tech University The Conference of Texas Statisticians (COTS) originated at the annual American Statistical Association (ASA) meeting in Houston in 1980, with its inaugural session held in Waco in 1981. Since 1985, the Texas Chapters of the ASA have been integral in establishing the Council of Texas Statisticians, featuring representatives from each chapter. This conference serves as a platform for statisticians to engage in both social and intellectual exchanges with fellow researchers. COTS welcomes researchers at all levels—senior and junior, as well as students—to present their research talks or posters at COTS, fostering a rich and collaborative environment. To participate, please register and submit your abstract and posters by the deadline of April 5th, 2024. For detailed information regarding abstract submissions, poster submissions, registration, and important dates, please visit the conference website at https://learn.houstonmethodist.org/AI-2024. We look forward to your active involvement in this exciting event. The scientific program for the conference will encompass invited sessions, oral contributed sessions, and posters. Further details will be shared in the upcoming communications. As for the social program, festivities and student poster presentation will commence on the evening of Thursday, May 9th, with the Researchers’ Gathering. This event serves as a platform for researchers to connect, network, and foster a sense of camaraderie at the conference. The Welcome Reception and opening ceremony are scheduled for Friday morning, May 10th. Delectable lunch and coffee will be provided during the conference on May 10th, 2024. The pinnacle of the social events will be the Conference Dinner and the presentation of the prestigious Don Owen Award and other awards on the evening of Friday, May 10th. Join us for a memorable and enriching experience. Discover Houston, the fourth-largest city in America, boasting a cosmopolitan charm with world-class dining, arts, hotels, shopping, and nightlife. Whether wandering through the historic Heights, exploring the Museum District, or visiting Space Center Houston, the city offers a diverse array of experiences. Houston’s vitality and cultural richness, coupled with its dynamic blend of imagination, talent, and premier attractions, truly position it as a world-class city. With a thriving economy, stunning surroundings, and a population radiating optimism and spirit, Houston stands as a sought-after international destination. We look forward to seeing you at the conference. Thanks, Sunil Mathur ____________________________________________________________ Sunil Mathur, Ph.D. Director of Biostatistics and Professor of Biostatistics in Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College Co-Director, Biostatistics and Biomedical Informatics Shared Resource Editor-in-Chief: American Journal of Statistical Science and Applications Elected Member of the International Statistical Institute President-American Statistical Association-San Antonio Chapter Organizer-Conference of Texas Statisticians-2024 Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center Houston Methodist Research Institute 6565 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030 Tel: 713-363-9033 Email: smathur2@houstonmethodist.org