Merlise Clyde and Jerome Reiter, both professors of Statistical Science, have been named 2020 Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS) Fellows.
Founded in 1935, IMS is a member organization devoted to “fostering the development and dissemination of the theory and applications of statistics and probability.” Fellows are selected on the basis of the contributions to the field, as assessed by a committee of their peers. Approximately 12 percent of the 3,500 active IMS members have earned the status of fellowship. The 2020 cohort included 35 Fellows selected from 73 nominations.
Clyde was selected due to her “fundamental methodological contributions in the areas of model uncertainty, Bayesian variable selection, Bayesian model averaging, and effects of priors,” which have applications in proteomics, bioinformatics, astro-statistics, air pollution and health effects, and environmental sciences. She was also honored in part for her “exceptional service to the community,” including serving as the executive secretary and president of the International Society for Bayesian Analysis.
Reiter’s contributions came in the areas of “survey methodology, data confidentiality, and statistical imputation.” His work focuses on applications in social science and public policy, including developing ways to protect personal identity in public data, which were covered by the Atlantic, and acting as the principle investigator of the Triangle Census Research Network.
"I am truly honored to become a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics,” Reiter said. “The high number of Duke faculty who are IMS Fellows is a testament to Duke's strength in mathematical statistics. It is a privilege to work in a department and a university of such distinction."
“I am greatly honored to be elected as a Fellow of the IMS and truly appreciate the support of my colleagues at Duke and around the world,” Clyde added.
