This special issue of Statistics in Biopharmaceutical Research (http://pubs.amstat.org/toc/sbr/1/4) contains selected articles of the 17th annual Applied Statistics Symposium of the International Chinese Statistical Association (ICSA). The issue publishes a total of 16 papers including an article of conversations with keynote speakers, two commentaries on panel discussion sessions, and 13 selected research papers from the conference. Submitted research papers from the symposium went through a peer review process which resulted in the final selection of the 13 research articles in this issue. It is our distinct pleasure to present them to you, along with an invitation to contribute to the success of the future ICSA Applied Statistics Symposiums.

About the Symposium: The symposium was held from June 4th to 7th, 2008, in Piscataway, New Jersey. Over 300 participants from around the world attended the symposium. The symposium covered a wide range of research in statistical methodologies, theories and applications. It was an excellent platform for direct interaction between statisticians and researchers from academia, industry and government. It also provided ample opportunities for junior statisticians and graduate students to gain broader perspectives of the fast-changing academic and industrial environment regarding career development.