David O. Siegmund

David O. Siegmund is renowned worldwide for his solutions to statistical problems that arise in real-world scientific applications and require novel probability theory for their resolution. His work in sequential analysis, renewal theory, boundary crossing probabilities, and maxima of random fields is especially noteworthy.

Beginning in 1966, Siegmund carried out the first leg of his formal teaching and research career at Columbia University. In 1976, he left his post as Professor at Columbia for Stanford University, where he is currently the John D. and Sigrid Banks Professor. Prior to his days at Columbia, Siegmund briefly served as a Teaching Assistant at Purdue University. During his career, he was awarded numerous visiting professorships and fellowships that took him to Hebrew University, the University of Zurich, the University of Heidelberg, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Mo., Siegmund earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University in 1963, and his doctorate from Columbia University in 1966.

As one of his subject’s greats, Siegmund has been awarded numerous honors and accolades including Woodrow Wilson Fellow, Danforth Fellow, NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, Guggenheim Fellow, Dean’s Award for Teaching, Humboldt’s Prize, Einstein and Fullbright Fellowships, and several other prestigious lectureships.

In addition to editorial service and duty as an external reviewer, Siegmund’s service includes the presidency of the Bernoulli Society and the Institute of Mathematical Sciences. He has been a leader in opening new lines of inquiry and involving graduate students in his work. As such, many of his former doctoral students are now top statisticians, including Thomas Sellke, Associate Department Head at Purdue.

Siegmund is a world wide expert in the application of probability theory to genetic mapping and the theory of sequential analysis. As an effective contributor to several important fields in theoretical and applied statistics, very few living statisticians can match his contributions. In 2002, Siegmund was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, Applied Mathematical Sciences section.