Stéphanie van der Pas wins the Leiden University Thesis Awards 2014
Stéphanie van der Pas won the Leiden University Thesis Awards 2014 with her thesis "Almost the Best of Three Worlds: The Switch Model Selection Criterion for Single Parameter Exponential Families".
She proved that a new method to choose a research model works better than the usual standard method. The most commonly used selection method, the hypothesis test, has some disadvantages. She proved mathematically that the switch criterion, a Bayesian selection method, is more flexible than the known standard method. She looked at consistency, robustness against optional stopping and risk- optimality. After many calculations and formulating a proof of twelve pages the new method appeared to be good in multiple areas.
Van der Pas received the prize, a check for € 3000 , during the Dies Natalis for alumni on February 8, 2014 from Professor Carel Stolker, Rector Magnificus and Chairman of the Executive Board of Leiden University .
The jury described the thesis of Van der Pas, who completed the Master of Applied Mathematics with honors, as "brilliant, humorous and of broad significance for scientific practice".
Stephanie is currently PhD student at the Mathematical Institute.