Staff Spotlight: James Lani
James Lani is the CEO and Founder of Statistics Solutions. He founded the company in 2003 and has been assisting students working on their dissertations ever since.
- What is your personal philosophy?
I have to take full personal responsibility for everything that happens, from growing finger nails to being a successful entrepreneur and loving father. If it’s not you, then who?
- What’s one thing/person you couldn’t live without?
A sense of connectedness.
- What is your favorite thing to do?
Make Jasmine (my daughter) smile, and see her wave her hands as she scoots towards me.
- You are hosting a dinner party. Who are the 3 people (living or dead) who you would invite, and why?
Joseph Campbell, so we could philosophy about religion and mythology… David Viscott because he epitomizes truth and honesty for me, and Rumi so we really know what God is.
- Tell us something that surprises us about you?
I’m more of an introvert than people think.
- What is your biggest pet peeve?
People blaming people.
- What 3 traits define you?
Fairness, honesty, and intelligence.
- What is the first thing you do when you wake up/start your day?
I check my pulse.
- What is the best advice you have ever been given?
It’s more of a perspective than advice. A quote from Campbell that Schopenhauer, in his essay On the Apparent Intention in the Fate of the Individual, wrote “of the curious feeling one can have, of there being an author somewhere writing the novel of our lives, in such a way that through events that seem to us to be chance happenings there is actually a plot unfolding of which we have no knowledge. “
- What celebrity do people think you look like?
Not sure.
- If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be (your spirit animal or patronus)?
I would be a Tardigrade.
- If you could give advice to your 16 year old self, what would it be?
Relax.
- Who is your favorite superhero?
I don’t have one.
- What is your biggest fear?
That desires overcome equanimity.
- If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you take with you?
The Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks, family, pencil and notebook.
- If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pork chops marinated in tomato sauce with black beans and rice.
- What is your favorite movie quote?
A scene from Reservoir Dogs. The conversation with Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) does not want to tip the waitress. The scene shows my how dogmatically foolish I can sometimes be.
- If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I manifest imagination in myself and others. (Oh, I have that superpower J)
- Do you have a favorite quote?
“Once the seed of faith takes root, it cannot be blown away, even by the strongest wind.” – Rumi
- What is your favorite thing about being part of the Statistics Solutions Team?
The freedom to communicate honestly.
We work with graduate students every day and know what it takes to get your research approved.
- Address committee feedback
- Roadmap to completion
- Understand your needs and timeframe