Professor Richard Tweedie of the University of Minnesota was the first New Zealand Statistical Association Visiting Lecturer. Sadly, he passed away shortly after his visit.

As NZSA Visiting Lecturer Professor Tweedie visited and presented lectures at the Victoria University of Wellington, Otago University, University of Canterbury, University of Auckland, and Massey University (at Albany). He also presented a keynote address at the Symposium to Honour Professor David Vere-Jones.

Professor Tweedie was Head of the Division of Biostatistics, in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. His research interests are in the theory and application of Markov chains, and biostatistics including especially meta-analysis and stochastic modeling. He published over 130 scientific papers, an acclaimed book (Markov Chains and Stochastic Stability), and has very extensive experience as a statistical consultant. He was Editor of Statistical Science.

Timings of Professor Tweedie's visit, contact people and details of his lectures are given below:

Wellington, April 19 to 22 (Peter Thomson) Meta-analysis - Potentials, Problems and Pitfalls 4 pm, April 20, Victoria University of Wellington

Dunedin, April 22 to 23 (John Kittelson, kitt@lorien.otago.ac.nz)

Christchurch, April 23 to 25 (Jenny Brown)

Auckland, April 25 to 27 (David Scott, d.scott@auckland.ac.nz) Perfect Simulation for MCMC and Markov Chains 2 pm, April 26, AT1

Massey University at Albany Meta-analysis - Potentials, Problems and Pitfalls 2 pm, April 27, PLT1, Maths-Physics Building, University of Auckland