A Conversation with Jayaram Sethuraman

TL;DR

This paper provides a detailed biography of Jayaram Sethuraman, highlighting his academic journey, professional positions, and ongoing contributions to statistics and related fields.

Contribution

The paper offers a comprehensive account of Sethuraman's career, emphasizing his international academic engagements and continued active involvement post-retirement.

Findings

Extensive academic and professional timeline of Sethuraman.

Highlights his international collaborations and visiting positions.

Shows ongoing engagement in statistical and interdisciplinary activities.

Abstract

Jayaram Sethuraman was born in the town of Hubli in Bombay Province (now Karnataka State) on October 3, 1937. His early years were spent in Hubli and in 1950 his family moved to Madras (now renamed Chennai). He graduated from Madras University in 1957 with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in statistics and he earned his M.A. degree in statistics from Madras University in 1958. He earned a Ph.D. in statistics from the Indian Statistical Institute in 1962. Before returning to ISI in 1965 as an Associate Professor, he was a Research Associate at the University of North Carolina 1962--1963, at Michigan State University in 1963--1964 and at Stanford University 1964--1965. After three years at the ISI, Sethuraman moved to Florida State University in 1968 as Full Professor. During his career at FSU, he made sojourns as Visiting Professor to the University of Michigan, 1974--1975, the ISI in fall 1977, as a Visiting Professor and Acting Head, ISI Bangalore Center, 1979--1980. He was a senior ASA/NSF/NIST Fellow 1994--1995 and a Fulbright Senior Researcher at ISI Bangalore 1995--1996. Although Sethuraman officially retired on January 31, 2004 and was named Professor Emeritus at FSU, he continues to be extremely active. He participates in all activities in the Department of Statistics and holds a Courtesy Professor appointment in the Department of Religion. He held an appointment as Professor, University of Pittsburgh in the fall of 2004, and was a Fulbright Senior Lecturer at the Indian Statistical Institute of Technology, Chennai, 2005.