Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Statistics, Carnegie Mellon University, 1988
  • M.S., Statistics, Carnegie Mellon University, 1984
  • B.S., History/Mathematics, Carnegie Mellon University, 1981
Professional Honors
  • Elected Member, International Statistical Institute, 2015
  • Fellow, American Statistical Association, 2009
  • Travel Award for Topic Contributed Session, Section on Statistical Consulting, American Statistical Association, 2008
  • Chapter Service Recognition Award, American Statistical Association, 2005
  • Staff Award, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, National Research Council, 1995
  • Nominee, Timeos Award for University Teaching, San Diego State University, 1990
  • Summer Faculty Research Fellowship, San Diego State University, 1990
  • National Merit Scholarship, Carnegie Mellon University, 1977-1981
Professional Affiliations
  • American Statistical Association (Fellow)
  • International Statistical Institute (Elected Member)
  • Institute of Mathematical Statistics (Member)
  • Society for Risk Analysis (Member)
  • Member, Fellows Committee, ASA Section on Statistical Consulting (2021-2023)
  • Associate Chair, Program Committee, Joint Statistical Meetings (2018-2019)
  • ASA Committee on Professional Ethics (2013-2018)
  • Nominations Committee Member, ASA Section on Statistics in Defense and National Security (2015-2017)
  • Editorial Board, CHANCE Magazine (2006-2013)
  • ASA Working Group on Visibility and Impact in Policy Making (2010)
  • Program Chair, ASA Section on Risk Analysis (2006-2007)
  • ASA Council of Chapters Governing Board: Vice-Chair, District 6 (2008-2010); Member, Nominations Committee (2001-2003)
  • President, San Diego Chapter, American Statistical Association (1999-2003)

Dr. Steffey's experience as a consulting statistician spans more than 30 years and a breadth of applications in engineering, health, environmental science, and civil justice. His expertise includes the statistical design and analysis of studies to evaluate the performance of products during development, manufacturing, and in-service use by customers. 

Dr. Steffey has evaluated issues related to construction materials (concrete, doors, windows), consumer electronics (computers, phones), drug delivery systems (syringes, transdermal patches), home appliances (dishwashers, refrigerators), industrial tools, medical devices (joint implants, stents), motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, recreational and sports equipment. His investigations have involved data from engineering and scientific experiments, sample surveys, observational studies, and a variety of administrative record sources: accident and injury databases, complaints, field returns, quality audits, replacement part sales, warranty claims.

Dr. Steffey has also applied statistical concepts and methods in evaluating issues arising from actions, events, processes, products, or services affecting relationships between businesses and consumers, employees, other companies or individuals, government agencies, and the environment (including contracts, patents, and regulations).

As a tenured professor of statistics at San Diego State University, Dr. Steffey co-founded and co-directed the university's statistical consulting center. He held a prior appointment at the National Research Council, where he directed studies for federal government clients on census methodology and the testing and evaluation of military systems. He was also previously employed in the risk assessment group at Westinghouse Electric Corporation, where he was engaged in conducting probabilistic safety studies for the commercial nuclear energy industry. Dr. Steffey is an elected Fellow of the American Statistical Association.