Historical Geology: A Paleontological Approach

Chris P. Tsokos is Distinguished University Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of South Florida. Dr. Tsokos received his B.S. in Engineering Sciences/Mathematics, his M.A. in Mathematics from the University of Rhode Island, and his Ph.D. in Statistics and Probability from the University of Connecticut. Prof. Tsokos has served on the faculties at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and the University of Rhode Island.

Dr. Tsokos’ research has extended into a variety of areas, including stochastic systems, statistical models, reliability analysis, ecological systems, operations research, time series, Bayesian analysis, and mathematical and statistical modeling of global warming, and both parametric and nonparametric survival analysis, among others. He has authored more than 300 research publications in these areas.

For the past four years Prof. Tsokos’ research efforts have focused on developing probabilistic models, parametric and nonparametric statistical models for cancer and global warming data. Specifically, his research aims are data driven and are oriented toward understanding the behavior of breast, lung, brain, and colon cancers. Information on the subject matters can be found on his website http://shell.cas.usf.edu/~ctsokos/.

Prof. Tsokos is the author of several publications, research monographs and books, including Random Integral Equations with Applications to Life Sciences and Engineering, Probability Distribution: An Introduction to Probability Theory with Applications, Mainstreams of Finite Mathematics with Applications, Probability with the Essential Analysis, Applied Probability Bayesian Statistical Methods with Applications to Reliability, and Mathematical Statistics with Applications, among others.

Dr. Tsokos is the recipient of many distinguished awards and honors, including Fellow of the American Statistical Association, USF Distinguished Scholar Award, Sigma Xi Outstanding Research Award, USF Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, USF Professional Excellence Award, URI Alumni Excellence Award in Science and Technology, Pi Mu Epsilon, election to the International Statistical Institute, Sigma Pi Sigma, USF Teaching Incentive Program, and several humanitarian and philanthropic recognitions and awards.

Prof. Tsokos is a member of several academic and professional societies. He serves as honorary editor, chief editor, editor, or associate editor of more than 12 academic research journals.

Rebecca D. Wooten is Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of South Florida. She received her M.A./B.A. in Mathematics and her Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of South Florida. She has worked for 15 years teaching and has been recognized for her excellence in teaching; teaching courses such as Liberal Arts Math, Basic Statistics, Introduction to Statistics, and Applied Statistics Methods.

Prof. Wooten’s research interests are concentrated in applied statistics with an emphasis on environmental studies. Her research publications span a variety of areas such as global warming (carbon dioxide and temperature), atmospheric sciences and geography (hurricanes), geology (volcanic ash fall), and marine biology (red tide), among others.

Prof. Wooten is extensively involved in activities to improve education not only in mathematics and Statistics, but in education in general. She is the academic coordinator for two free educational assistance programs that offer opportunities for students to volunteer in the local community to get the assistance in their studies that they would have otherwise been unable to afford.