Persi Diaconis
Mary V. Sunseri Professor of Statistics and Mathematics, Stanford University, USA
Diaconis is particularly known for tackling mathematical problems involving randomness and randomization, such as coin flipping and shuffling playing cards. His main work is in mathematical statistics, algebraic combinatorics, and rates of convergence for Markov chains. He was elected as Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Statistical Association and is a Member of National Academy of Sciences. An early recipient of a Macarthur prize , he is also the winner of the Rollo Davidson Prize and has received Honorary Degrees from University of Chicago, Universite Paul Sabatier (Toulouse) , Uppsala University, Queen Mary University of London and Athens (Greece) University of Economics and Business.