where we have a very collegial atmosphere. Also, I do
not generally enjoy people pushing dogmatic views
Age: 32
on the different approaches to statistical inference.
Title: Assistant
Professor
What is the best career advice you
were given?
Employer: University of
I have been guided by a number of excellent advisors.
Chicago
When enrolled in an applied mathematics program
Alma Mater: University
back in Germany, it was Friedrich Pukelsheim who
of Washington
first brought my attention to statistics. During my
PhD studies in Seattle, I received a lot of guidance
from my advisors, Thomas Richardson and Michael
Perlman. It was through Thomas that I met Bernd
Sturmfels, whose advice to spend a year at Berkeley
as a postdoc was probably the most influential pro-
fessional advice I have received. Based on my experi-
ence, I would recommend doing a postdoc to any
fresh PhD. It is a great way to finish off thesis papers
and explore new avenues for research.
Name a statistician you admire and
What is one web site/blog you
tell us why.
can’t go a day without visiting?
Looking beyond the circle of my doctoral and post-
After checking an old email account, I usually take
doctoral advisors but keeping within my areas of
a look at
http://de.yahoo.com to pick up some news
interest, the name Steffen Lauritzen immediately
about Germany. I probably use the site mostly to
comes to my mind. He has done groundbreaking
read up on sports news. They also have a lot of live-
work on graphical models, and his book is the stan-
tickers for soccer games and, of course, they always
dard reference in this area. Over the past few years,
cover my favorite club: FC Bayern Munich.
Research Interests:
I have had several opportunities to be at meetings
The focus of my research is on
organized or attended by Steffen and, over and over
What is something your friends would be
graphical models and algebraic
again, I am impressed by his quick thinking and his
surprised to learn about you?
statistics. Graphical models are
truly constructive comments on the various speak-
I am not sure there is anything I could do to surprise
multivariate statistical models
ers’ presentations. I also admire Steffen’s supportive
my friends. So, I will try to surprise some strangers
in which observed variables
nature and positive attitude toward younger fac-
by sharing two pieces of trivia:
are constrained to exhibit
ulty. He is always encouraging, and I have never
I have been playing soccer since I was a little
dependence patterns associated
seen him pass on judgmental views. I think I am
kid and, naturally, I racked up a number of inju-
with a graph. My work in
not alone in having benefited and drawn motiva-
ries. Sitting at a desk most of the day doesn’t help
algebraic statistics is primarily
tion from his suggestions.
with keeping in shape, and so the frequency of
concerned with statistical
injuries has increased over the last 7–8 years. In
inference in models that have
What do you love most about
fact, I am currently working from home while
parameter spaces with algebraic
your profession?
recovering from my fourth knee surgery. For sev-
structure. Many graphical
Academic statistics is a small field when judged by
eral years, someone’s Achilles tendon has been
models are, in fact, of this
a headcount, but it is incredibly diverse. Research
playing ACL in my left knee, and, since two
algebraic type.
may address purely mathematical questions, solve
weeks ago, someone’s patella tendon serves as the
algorithmic and computational problems, or be
ACL in my right knee.
concerned with applied questions. Each one of these
The second piece of trivia involves a prize. Very
three areas is challenging in its own way, and I very
few will find it surprising that pronouncing my last
much enjoy the exchange of ideas and problems
name is a very painful task in virtually all of this plan-
between the three camps of mathematical, compu-
et’s languages. However, some may find it surprising
tational, and applied statistics.
that outside the circle of my (great-)grandparents,
parents, and three sisters, I have never met anyone
What do you hate most about
with my last name. This makes me wonder whether
your profession?
I am the world’s only male heir to this concatenation
I really dislike turf wars between mathematically
of mostly consonants. For possible resolution of this
minded and applied statisticians about who does
matter, I would like to offer a pint of beer at the next
‘good’ or ‘important’ research. I consider myself very
Joint Statistical Meetings to the first few people who
fortunate to be part of the department at Chicago,
know/have heard of a person with last name Drton
who is not related to me.
SEPTEMBER 2008 AMSTAT NEWS 49
SEPTEMBER AMSTAT FINAL.indd 49 8/20/08 2:27:05 PM
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