2023 Haggerty Award for Research Excellence Recipient

Dr. Gholamhossein Hamedani conducts research in the area known as probability distribution theory, within the broad field of mathematical probability and statistics. When modeling lifetime data, classical distributions such as normal (otherwise known as Gaussian or bell curve), have been successfully applied and widely used in areas of engineering, medical sciences, economics and finance. However, the classical distributions fail to always provide the best fit which has led to the development of more generalized versions of distributions.

Hamedani has spent his career working toward extending the classical distributions, as well as developing characterizations of these distributions to build a more complete understanding of the underlying statistical model. His current research work is focused on the “characterization of distributions.” The term characterize in this mathematical sense implies a description of the properties that make the distribution unique, i.e., one of a kind.

This work has resulted in three research monographs: “Characterization of Recently Introduced Univariate Continuous Distributions I, II and III.” He is currently working on “Research Monograph IV.”

“To fully appreciate the meaning and the proper application of a continuous univariate distribution, one should be equipped to go through two scientific steps,” said Dr. Samad Hedayat, distinguished professor in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science at the University of Illinois, Chicago. “First step: One should know the true meaning of the distribution by various available means of characterizations. Second step: One should know the underlying phenomenon for which the distribution is to be meaningfully approximated. These outstanding volumes prepared by Professor G.G. Hamedani are providing timely and most comprehensive mathematical/statistical tools for the first step in applying and utilizing continuous univariate distributions.”