Retirement reception for professor Ib Michael Skovgaard

Ib Skovgaard obtained his PhD from University of Copenhagen in 1982, and the doctoral degree (dr. scient.) in 1992 based on the monograph "Analytic Statistical Models" which was published as Lecture Notes by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS).

From 1981 Ib was employed at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (KVL), as full professor from 1995. KVL became the Faculty of Life Sciences (LIFE) at University of Copenhagen in 2007, and along with the merge of faculties in 2012, Ib changed affiliation to the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

Ib's theoretical research covers parametric likelihood inference, principles of statistical inference, higher-order asymptotics, and saddlepoint methods. Moreover, biostatistical applications and development of appropriate methods has played a prominent role in Ib's research over the years. Application areas include food science applications, automatic alignment of electropherograms, genetical statistics and bioinformatics projects.

Ib is a brilliant teacher, always attentive to the students and their needs and competences. Apart from "standard courses" Ib has been active in developing e-learning courses, courses based on project work, and PhD courses, and he has held a huge number of concultancy meetings with students throughout the years.

During the 1970's Mats Rudemo had established an environment for statistics at KVL. Ib quickly became an important player in this work, and he and Mats consolidated and developed the environment over the years. The concept was clear: Tight connections and close interaction with other scientists at KVL - both with respect to teaching and research - combined with theoretical statistical research of high standard and personal integrity. This combination is not as easy to establish and maintain as it may appear, and the good reputation of statistics (and statisticians) among students and researchers in agricultural and veterinary sciences at University of Copenhagen is to a large extent due to Ib.

The statistics group grew steadily over the years, and Ib was officially head of the group from 2005 (in practice also before) and until the faculty merge in 2012. As part of the merge, a new Laboratory of Applied Statistics was established, seeking to carry over and further develop the strong traditions from KVL/LIFE to the new Faculty of Science.

Many young statisticians have had their first position at KVL/LIFE, coming with a theoretical background and only little experience with applied statistics. For these young people Ib has been an excellent mentor, with his enormous knowledge and experience, and, not the least, his always friendly, positive and obliging attitude. You are never turned down by Ib or met with arrogant answers, no matter how stupid questions you ask.

We wish Ib good luck and hope to see him at the department often and still learn from his experience and enjoy his company.

The Department of Mathematical Sciences will host a reception for Ib Friday 20 February 2015 at 15:30. All are welcome in the lunch room on 4’th floor in the E-building (room 04-4-19).

Helle Sørensen