Statistician to tackle environmental pollution

When it comes to saving the environment people usually think of eco-warriors chaining themselves to trees not the power of statistics.

But a University of Queensland public lecture featuring Professor of Statistics at the University of Washington Peter Guttorp, hopes to change that.

Professor Peter Guttorp will present a public lecture titled GASP - I can't breathe! How statistics can be used to study environmental pollution control on Monday, July 14.

The lecture will focus on environmental pollution standards and how statistics can be used to set standards that protect people more effectively.

“There are different approaches to the setting of standards,” Professor Guttorp said.

“I will illustrate how modern statistical tools can be used to better understand the consequences of these standards.”

Professor Peter Guttorp was educated at Stockholm School of Journalism, University of Lund and the University of California at Berkeley.

He currently is a Professor of Statistics at the University of Washington, Director of the Northwest Research Center for Statistics and the Environment, and member of the QERM interdisciplinary faculty.

Professor Guttorp is also one of two speakers at this year’s Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) 2008 Australian Graduate Theme Program in Mathematical Sciences focusing on Statistics for Resource Management and Environmental Science.

The 2008 AMSI program is attracting graduate students and researchers from around Australia to The University of Queensland from July 7 to 18.

AMSI promotes and strengthens the understanding and use of the mathematical sciences in Australia’s culture, science and economy.

The 2008 program is funded by Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations through the Collaboration And Structural Reform Fund.

The pubic lecture on Monday, July 14, from 6 pm in Parnell Lecture Theatre 222 and is open to all with refreshments served after the event. Please RSVP to Glynnis Richardson by Thursday, July 10, 2008 by email g.richardson@sps.uq.edu.au or phone 3365 6137.

Media: Lynelle Ross, School of Physical Sciences Communications and Marketing Officer (3346 9935, l.ross@sps.uq.edu.au).