Welcome to
STAT 121.

Introduction to Statistical Data Analysis

Meeting details Room

Hi, I’m James.

It took a few turns to find statistics. Those turns taught me to stay curious, listen closely, and keep looking for the questions that matter.

Pre-animationBYU
ServiceLDS Mission
Sacramento, California
PsychologyReturned to BYU and changed majors
StatisticsMajor with a Psychology minor
Data scienceMaster’s · University of the Pacific

What I do

I help teams use data and AI to do their best work.

At Posit, PBC, I help build tools that support open-source scientific research, data science, and technical communication.

James speaking to an audience at a conference

My favorite people

Meet my family.

I live in Eagle Mountain with my wife, Brittany, and our five kids. Life moves a million miles a minute, but we love it and do our best to live and love intentionally.

James, Brittany, and their five children together at a waterfall

Beyond the desk

I recharge by getting outside.

I love riding bikes, exploring new places with Brittany, and making topographic art at Landform Labs. A good view changes the way I think.

Fun facts

A few things you probably wouldn’t guess.

I have a 17-foot-tall bird-of-paradise plant named Fred in my living room.
I can’t burp.
My favorite food is black pepper.

Fred, James’s tall bird-of-paradise plant, in his living room

Why I teach

In a world that is constantly trying to act upon us, learning enables us to truly act for ourselves. Learning increases agency.

How we’ll work together

Keep an open mind and stay curious.

“I don’t want statistics to be your favorite subject, but I want to be your favorite teacher.”— My daughter

Try things
Learning is an active sport.
Ask early
Questions help everyone learn.
Help each other
We’re building a class where we all contribute together.

Welcome toSTAT 121.