THE REES DISTINGUISHED LECTURER SERIES
Wednesday April 24th
3:30 – 4:30 pm
126 Alfred Lerner Hall
Truth is stranger than fiction: A look at some improbabilities.
Rick Durrett
Duke University
Abstract: Probability is an interesting subject because many of its conclusions are counter-intuitive. We will illustrate this with a large number of examples from the Monty Hall TV show and lottery winners to court cases and the 2012 presidential election.
This lecture is aimed at an undergraduate audience.
Thursday April 25th
3:30 – 4:30 pm
104 Gore Hall
Branching Process Models of Cancer
Rick Durrett
Duke University
Abstract: Cancer is often the end result of genetic changes that occur over a decade or more. Because of this, mathematical models are useful for understanding the underlying mechanisms. We will illustrate this by describing results for a simple branching process model and applying them to ovarian cancer screening strategies and understanding the extent of intratumor heterogeneity. No knowledge of probability is needed to follow the talk.
This lecture is aimed at a general audience.