Profs named statistical association Fellows

Professors Yulia Gel, Stefan Steiner and Changbao Wu have each been named Fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA), one of the world’s preeminent professional statistical societies.

Yulia Gel is Associate Professor and Stefan Steiner and Changbao Wu are Professors in Waterloo's Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science. Stefan Steiner became Chair of the department effective July 1, 2014.

To be recognized as a 2014 ASA Fellow, each honoree must make outstanding professional contributions to, and have exhibited leadership in, the field of statistical science.

Yulia Gel was honoured “for theoretical contributions to nonparametric aspects of spatiotemporal processes; for promoting the application of modern statistical methodologies in law, public policy, and the environmental sciences; and for championing the advancement of women and other under-represented groups in the mathematical and physical sciences.”

Stefan Steiner was cited “for substantial research contributions in process monitoring and measurement system assessment; for highly productive collaborative consulting in industry that has resulted in improved industrial and business processes; and for service to the ASA and the profession.”

The citation for Changbao Wu explains he was elected “for outstanding contributions to survey sampling theory and practice, especially the development of pseudo-empirical likelihood methods for the analysis of complex survey data, and for strong leadership and service to the profession.”

All recipients will be awarded a certificate at a ceremony to be held on August 5 at the annual Joint Statistical Meetings in Boston, Massachusetts.

“I congratulate Professors Gel, Steiner and Wu on being honored as a new ASA Fellow,” said ASA President Nathaniel Schenker. “Their accomplishments have contributed greatly to the advancement of statistical science and have rightfully earned each of them the respect and admiration of their ASA peers.”

The designation of ASA Fellow has been a significant honor for nearly 100 years. Under ASA bylaws, the Committee on Fellows can elect up to one-third of one percent of the total membership as fellows each year.  

"The prestige of this recognition makes it is particularly remarkable that three members of a department are elected in one year. We are extremely proud that the important contributions our colleagues made have been suitably recognized by the American Statistical Association, and congratulate each of them on this remarkable achievement,” said former department chair Christiane Lemieux.

Individuals are nominated by their peers in the membership of the association.  To be honored, nominees must have an established reputation and have made outstanding contributions in statistical science. The nominating committee evaluates each candidate’s contributions to the advancement of statistical science and places due weight to published works, the position held with their employer, ASA activities, membership and accomplishments in other societies and other professional activities.

 

Back to top

New associate dean position for Engineering

"I am very pleased to announce that Professor Rick Culham has agreed to serve a three-year term as the first Associate Dean, International, effective July 1, 2014," says a memo from Dean of Engineering Pearl Sullivan circulated last week.

The new position is part of a more focused and coordinated effort for development and supporting research and education partnerships, as outlined in the Faculty of Engineering's Vision 2015 plan, which calls for a move "towards developing strategic relationships with a targeted set of leading global universities in areas of shared research excellence."

Previously, the oversight and administration of international programs in the faculty was divided between two offices: the Director of the Undergraduate Exchange program and the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and International Agreements. Additionally, in instances where the Faculty received international delegations interested in establishing partnerships with Engineering, the office of Associate Dean, Research and External Partnerships would be asked to coordinate and host the visits.

The new administrative position of Associate Dean, International will support an integrated portfolio of undergraduate student exchange, visa student mentoring and international formal agreements, and will create new opportunities for faculty members, including assistance in accessing international resources for research partnerships.

"Professor Culham is particularly suitable for the new position having served as Associate Dean in three different portfolios: Co-op and Professional Affairs, Graduate Studies and International Agreements, and Research and External Partnerships," the dean's memo continues.

"As we move forward our international agenda, I also want to take this opportunity to thank Professor Peter Roe who earlier this year expressed his desire to step down at the end of his term as the Director of the Engineering Exchange program on September 30, 2014," Dean Sullivan writes. "As Director, he has been a dedicated champion for Engineering, working for 15 years to catalyze and sustain high quality exchange opportunities for hundreds of in-bound and out-bound students."

"I am very grateful to Professor Roe for the numerous university partnerships he has nurtured in 23 countries that have led to excellent exchange experiences for our undergraduates."

 

Back to top

Shad Valley launches design project for 2014

The design project for the Shad Valley high school enrichment program at Waterloo and the other 11 host campuses across Canada was launched last week.

The theme for 2014? "How might Canadians live large on a small footprint?"

The program started with a keynote address from Paul Parker, professor and director of the Faculty of Environment's Economic Development Program.

"Abundant resources and the consumer culture of the past century have left a legacy of aging infrastructure and an expectation of what the good life looks like: a two-car garage attached to a three-bedroom house on a four-hectare lot," says the note fro Shad. "Current movements toward a more sustainable future are at odds with this increasingly unrealistic expectation. What attractive products would satisfy the crowded world’s expectation of the good life while meeting the challenge of the new reality?"

Shad Valley provides high school students with a pre-university experience to learn about campus life right when they are starting to make decisions about the future. Participants learn through seminars and workshops from Waterloo faculty and staff, and guest speakers from business leaders (both for-profit and not-for-profit) from the community. Recreational and cultural activities add another dimension to the curriculum. Participants in the not-for-profit Shad Valley program are selected based on their high potential in the fields of science, technology and engineering, while demonstrating strong leadership abilities and a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation.

The students involved in the Shad Valley program at Waterloo will hold a public open house on Thursday, July 24 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Great Hall at Conrad Grebel University College to share their projects.

 

Back to top

BMH breezeway to be closed for construction

The breezeway between the Lyle S. Hallman Institute for Health Promotion (LHI) and B. C. Matthews Hall (BMH) will be closed for construction "for the foreseeable future," according to a note from Gary Kosar.

The construction work, which involves installing a tunnel and storm and sewer services, is being done in preparation for the new addition to the Applied Health Sciences faculty.

The closure will begin on Thursday, July 10 at 7:00 a.m.

 

Back to top