Name: Dr. Rui Santos
Affiliation: School of Technology and Management of the Polytechnic University of Leiria
Research Interests: statistical inference; data science; simulation; distributions; epidemiology; classification; dental age estimation; meta-analysis; pooled sample designs; teaching and history of probability and statistics

The following is a short interview with Dr. Rui Santos:

1. Could you give a brief introduction to yourself to the readers? Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
I am a Professor of statistics at the Polytechnic University of Leiria and a member of CEAUL—Center of Statistics and Applications at the University of Lisbon, Portugal. My research currently explores classification methodologies based on compound testing, specifically hierarchical and array-based group testing approaches. These methodologies enable significant resource savings in certain contexts while maintaining reliable classification criteria. The challenge lies in identifying the most effective methods that balance accuracy with efficiency compared to traditional individual testing. These techniques have applications in both epidemiology and statistical quality control. Through simulations, we have obtained promising results that contribute to optimizing these methodologies. 

2. Can you please share with us your sentiments about winning the award?
I am truly honored and delighted to be recognized for my contributions to peer review. 

3. Could you share some insights into your approach to reviewing manuscripts? How do you balance thoroughness with efficiency?
I typically begin with a broad reading of the manuscript to grasp its main ideas. This initial review helps me assess its merit and identify areas that need further development or clarification. From there, I conduct a more detailed evaluation, ensuring my feedback is both constructive and efficient.

4. In your opinion, what are some key qualities that make a review outstanding?
An excellent review requires staying up to date with the latest developments in the field and maintaining a constructive perspective on the work being evaluated. Even if a manuscript is not accepted for publication, constructive criticism helps authors refine their research and improve their work. As an author myself, I understand that while criticism can be challenging to receive, it is invaluable in enhancing the quality of a paper and sometimes leads to an even stronger publication. 

5. Based on your experience, which research topics do you think are of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
The rapid advancement of computing power has significantly influenced research in data science. In statistics, areas such as simulation, resampling, high-dimensional data analysis, Bayesian statistics, and statistical learning continue to evolve, alongside various machine learning methodologies. I anticipate that these fields will experience substantial qualitative advancements in the coming years, driving new insights and innovations.