Statistics Department Celebrates Fifth Annual Lightning Talks

29 September 2026

On Friday, September 18, the Department of Statistics celebrated five years of the Research Highlights Day, popularly referred to as "Lightning Talks." Faculty and senior graduate students each had one or two slides and two minutes to present a snapshot of their research. Time limits were strictly enforced by Statistics Graduate Student Association leadership. Over the course of the day, participants learned about the most recent research directions being pursued in the department, creating new opportunities for collaboration and enhancing the intellectual community. New graduate students also received a first look at all of the exciting projects available for them to work on, both theoretical and applied, as well as an introduction to the faculty as a whole.

This event was made possible through the generous support of the Matthew Rosenshine Fund for Excellence in the Department of Statistics.

Presenter at the Statistics Department Celebrates 5th Annual Lightning Talks

Students talking as the sit at a table during the Statistics Department Lightning Talks.

A professor in the statistics department talking with other participants during the event

A professor leaning in while talking during the Statistics Department Lightning Talks event.

A photo of entire room with a packed audience at the event.

A photo from the back of the hall looking towards the screen and a presenter

A graduate student talking to the audience at the event

Photo of the packed attendance the 5th Annual Lightning Talks

Neil Hatfield presenting to the audience at the 5th Annual Lightning Talks event.