Considered the Nobel Prize of statistics, the International Prize in Statistics, which is awarded biennially by a foundation that comprises representatives from the five major statistical organizations, is one of the two highest honors in the field of statistics. The award recognizes statisticians whose work conveys a powerful and original idea that has influenced other disciplines and/or had a practical impact on the world.
Department of Biostatistics
A towering figure among statisticians, C.R. Rao, PhD, ScD, was a research professor in biostatistics in the School of Public Health and Health Professions. Among his groundbreaking contributions, Rao demonstrated fundamental results that form the foundation upon which much of the modern field of statistics is built. In addition, his work pioneered a new interdisciplinary field, information geometry, which has contributed significantly to advancements in science and technology. To mark Rao’s milestone 100th birthday in 2020, the journal Proceedings – Mathematical Sciences, produced by the Indian Academy of Sciences, dedicated an entire issue to “CR Rao: A living legend.” Rao was the recipient of many prestigious awards and honors, including the 2023 International Prize in Statistics, the field’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. Rao passed away in August 2023.
