A. M. MathaiOften referred to as A. M. Mathai, Arakaparampil Mathai was a well-known Indian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the fields of reaction rate theory in astrophysics, special functions, and applied statistics. Mathai, who was born in Arakulam, Kerala, India, on April 28, 1935, has had a profound impact on the study of statistics, astronomy, and mathematics. Early Life and EducationA. M. Mathai's academic career began with his outstanding performance at St. Thomas High School in Palai, Kerala, from which he graduated in 1953 with honors. He attended St. Thomas College in Palai to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, which he completed in 1957. His academic aptitude was further demonstrated in 1959 when he graduated with a Master of Statistics in first class, first rank, and a gold medal from the University of Kerala. Up until 1961, Mathai taught statistics at St. Thomas College in Palai, pursuing his love of the subject. His academic career took a global turn in 1961 when he was awarded the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship. He was able to finish his master's degree in mathematics in 1962 and go on to get his doctorate in 1964 because of this grant. Academic CareerAfter becoming an assistant professor at McGill University in Canada in 1964, Mathai's academic career continued there. His ascent through the ranks and his intellectual achievements ultimately resulted in his appointment as a full professor in 1979. Mathai worked at McGill University for a number of years, helping to shape the Department of Mathematics and Statistics until he retired in 2000 and was made an emeritus professor. Teaching ExperienceMathai's journey in academia began as a Lecturer in Mathematics at St. Thomas College, Palai, University of Kerala, India, from 1959 to 1961. His dedication to teaching and research led him to Canada, where he served as an Assistant Professor at McGill University from 1964 to 1968. His academic stature grew, progressing to the position of Associate Professor (1968-1978) and subsequently Full Professor (1979-2000) at McGill University. Even in his emeritus role since 2000, Mathai continues to contribute to the academic community, combining his wealth of knowledge with a passion for teaching. Contributions to Mathematics and AstrophysicsMathai's contributions extend across a diverse array of mathematical and astrophysical disciplines. Notably, he established the Centre for Mathematical Sciences in Palai, Kerala, India, providing a platform for the advancement of mathematical research. His prolific career includes the publication of over 25 books and more than 300 research papers. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Mathai received the Founder Recognition Award from the Statistical Society of Canada in 1998. He is also honored as a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India, and a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics. A. M. Mathai (Pioneer in Statistical Excellence)In the world of statistics, A. M. Mathai stands as a towering figure, a luminary whose illustrious career has been marked by exceptional academic achievements, pioneering contributions, and a legacy of service to the global statistical community. From earning top honors in his academic pursuits to founding institutions that have shaped the field, Mathai's journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to advancing the frontiers of statistical science. Academic TriumphsA. M. Mathai's journey into the realm of statistical brilliance began at the University of Kerala, where in 1959, he achieved an extraordinary feat by securing First Class, First Rank, and a Gold Medal in M. Sc (Statistics). This early academic success not only showcased Mathai's intellectual prowess but also set the tone for a career marked by excellence. The pursuit of knowledge transcends boundaries, and Mathai's commitment to academic advancement led him to the prestigious Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship from 1961 to 1964. This scholarship not only recognized his exceptional abilities but also provided him with the platform to contribute to the global discourse on statistics. Fellowships and MembershipsA. M. Mathai's influence in the field of statistics reached far beyond national borders. His recognition as a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics in the United States solidified his place among the global statistical elite. Additionally, he was honored as a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences in India, highlighting his significant contributions to the statistical landscape in his home country. Mathai's impact on the international stage was further underscored by his election as a Member of the International Statistical Institute in The Netherlands. This prestigious membership not only acknowledged his achievements but also positioned him as a key figure in the global statistical community. Founding InstitutionsA. M. Mathai's dedication to the advancement of statistics is not confined to his achievements. He played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of statistical research by founding crucial institutions. The establishment of The Canadian Journal of Statistics stands as a testament to his commitment to fostering a platform for scholarly discourse. Additionally, Mathai's founding of the Statistical Science Association of Canada, now the Statistical Society of Canada, has had a lasting impact on the development of statistical theory and practice in the country. His contributions were further recognized with the Founder's Award from the Statistical Society of Canada, an acknowledgment of his visionary leadership and significant contributions to the statistical community. Editorial and Review ContributionsBeyond his academic and institutional contributions, A. M. Mathai has played a crucial role in the dissemination of statistical knowledge through his editorial, review, and refereeing work. Serving as the Managing Editor and Editor of The Canadian Journal of Statistics and as a Regional Editor for Canada for the Statistical Theory and Methods Abstracts, Mathai has been instrumental in shaping the academic landscape. His editorial responsibilities also extended to the Publications Series of the Centre for Mathematical Sciences in India, where he served as Editor for an array of publications ranging from books and proceedings of symposia to mathematical sciences for the general public. A. M. Mathai's influence has reached far and wide, from special issues in the American Journal of Mathematical and Management Sciences to his membership on the editorial boards of prestigious journals such as Communications in Statistics, American Journal of Mathematical and Management Sciences, and International Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. Selected PublicationsMathai's scholarly impact is evident in his selected publications, which span various mathematical and astrophysical domains. Some notable works include "An Introduction to Geometrical Probability: Distributional Aspects with Applications" (1999), "Jacobians of Matrix Transformations and Functions of Matrix Argument" (1997), and "Modern Problems in Nuclear and Neutrino Astrophysics" (co-authored with H.J. Haubold). A. M. Mathai's research has significantly influenced the understanding of geometric probability, matrix trans quadratic forms, and gravitational instability in cosmology, among other topics. No. | Title | Publication Details | Co-author(s) | Year |
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1 | "Random p-content of a p-parallelotope in Euclidean n-space" | Advances in Applied Probability, 31(2), 343-354 | - | 1999 | 2 | "An Introduction to Geometrical Probability: Distributional Aspects with Applications" | Gordon and Breach, Newark | - | 1999 | 3 | "Jacobians of Matrix Transformations and Functions of Matrix Argument" | World Scientific Publishing, New York | - | 1997 | 4 | "Appell's and Humbert's functions of matrix arguments" | Linear Algebra and Its Applications, 183, 202-221 | - | 1993 | 5 | "On non-central generalized Laplacianness of quadratic forms in normal variables." | Journal of Multivariate Analysis, 45, 239-246 | - | 1993 | 6 | "(With S.B. Provost) Quadratic Forms in Random Variables: Theory and Applications" | Marcel Dekker, New York | S.B. Provost | 1992 | 7 | "On a system of differential equations connected with the gravitational instability in a multi-component medium in Newtonian cosmology." | Studies in Applied Mathematics, 80, 75-93 | - | 1989 | 8 | "(With H.J. Haubold) Modern Problems in Nuclear and Neutrino Astrophysics" | Akademie-Verlag, Berlin | H.J. Haubold | - | 9 | "On a conjecture in geometric probability regarding asymptotic normality of a random simplex." | Annals of Probability, 10, 247-251 | - | 1982 | 10 | "(With R.S. Katiyar) Exact percentage points for testing independence." | Biometrika, 66, 353-356 | R.S. Katiyar | 1979 | 11 | "(With P.N. Rathie) Recent contributions to axiomatic definitions of information and statistical measures through functional equations.." | Essays in Probability and Statistics, Shinto, Tsusho, Tokyo, pp. 607-633 | P.N. Rathie | 1976 | 12 | "(With T.A. Davis) Constructing the sunflower head" | Mathematical Biosciences, 20, 117-133 | T.A. Davis | 1974 |
Research ContributionsMathai's research legacy is extensive and diverse, covering a wide array of mathematical and statistical domains. His notable research areas include: Mathematical Statistics: - Statistical distribution theory
- Multivariate analysis
- Characterizations
- Order statistics
- Computational aspects (theory and numerical tables)
- Quadratic forms
- Bilinear forms
- Matrix-variate distributions (real and complex cases)
Applied Statistics: - Design of experiments
- Demography
- Population models
- Social statistics
Probability: - Geometrical probability
- Queuing theory (limited to one paper)
- Optimization (limited to one paper)
Astrophysics: - Reaction rates
- Energy generation
- Gravitational instability
- Stellar models
- Neutrino problems
- Reaction-diffusion problems
- Fractional calculus (recent work with physicists H.J. Haubold and R.K. Saxena)
Information Theory: - Characterization of Information Measures
- Applications
Mathematics: - Generalized hypergeometric functions
- G and H-funRandom.ctions
- Functions of matrix argument
- Graph theory (limited to one paper)
- Functional equations (applications)
- Integral equations
- Differential equations (limited to two papers)
- Statistical techniques applied to mathematics
Miscellaneous: - Biological models
- Orthogonal polynomials
- Dispersion theory
- Axiomatization of basic statistical concepts
- Pollution problems
- Transportation problems
A Lifetime Dedicated to Statistical Advancement and AcademicA. M. Mathai's illustrious career in the field of mathematics and statistics spans decades, marked by a myriad of accomplishments, contributions, and leadership roles in various international professional societies. From his extensive involvement in organizing symposia to his role as a visiting full professor at prestigious institutions worldwide, Mathai's journey is a testament to his commitment to advancing statistical knowledge and fostering academic excellence. International Professional Memberships and Reviewer RolesMathai's dedication to his field is evident through his memberships in esteemed organizations such as the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, International Statistical Institute, Canadian Statistical Society, and Environmetric Society. Despite facing financial constraints, he remained committed to these memberships, showcasing his unwavering passion for statistical research. His role as a reviewer for Mathematical Reviews and Zentralblatt für Mathematik further underscores his commitment to maintaining academic rigor and standards. Organizing Symposia and ConferencesA significant aspect of Mathai's career is his role as the chief organizer of numerous national and international symposia, conferences, and schools. These events covered a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from functional equations to computer-oriented research in mathematical sciences. His contributions to areas like reliability and renewal theory, design of experiments, and distribution theory reflect the diversity of his expertise and interests. Global Academic EngagementMathai's global influence extends beyond organizational roles. As an invited speaker, he participated in UN/ESA Workshops in various countries, including India, Egypt, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Germany, and Japan. His engagements as a speaker at international conferences worldwide, with recent appearances in Greece, Canada, Sicily, and India, highlight the global impact of his work and the recognition he has received from the international academic community. Lecture Series and Visiting ProfessorshipsMathai's commitment to knowledge exchange is evident in his roles as an invited speaker for lecture series in Brazil, the United States, and Italy. His experiences as a visiting full professor at institutions such as the University of Texas at El Paso, the University of Campinas in Brazil, and the Indian Statistical Institute in Calcutta and Delhi demonstrate his dedication to fostering collaboration and sharing his expertise across borders. Colloquium Speaker and Research DirectorHaving been an invited colloquium speaker in numerous countries, including Canada, the USA, Brazil, Greece, India, and Japan, Mathai's impact extends to diverse academic communities globally. His role as a research director under organizations like the Natural Sciences and the Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Department of Science and Technology in India underscores his significant contributions to advancing statistical research. Academic Leadership and MentorshipMathai's influence extends to mentorship and academic leadership. Having supervised several Ph.D. and M.Sc. theses, his commitment to nurturing the next generation of statisticians is evident. As the director of SERC Schools in mathematical sciences, he played a crucial role in shaping the academic landscape for young faculty in India. No. | Authors | Title | Journal/Proceedings/Book | Year |
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1 | A.M. Mathai | An approximate analysis of a two-way layout | Biometrics | 1965 | 2 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | On a generalized hypergeometric distribution | Metrika | 1966 | 3 | A.M. Mathai | Sampling distributions under missing values | Trabajos de Estadistica | 1966 | 4 | A.M. Mathai | Pseudo-inverses in normal equations | Statistics | 1966 | 5 | A.M. Mathai | Some characterizations of probability distributions | The Canadian Mathematical Bulletin | 1966 | 6 | A.M. Mathai | On the multivariate exponential type distributions | Journal of the Indian Statistical Association | 1966 | 7 | A.M. Mathai | On a problem of regression | South African Journal of Statistics | 1967 | 8 | A.M. Mathai | Some useful results in the analysis of data | Trabajos de Estadistica | 1967 | 9 | A.M. Mathai | Dispersion theory | Statistics | 1967 | 10 | A.M. Mathai | Dispersion and information | Metron | 1967 | 11 | A.M. Mathai | On the structural properties of conditional distributions | The Canadian Mathematical Bulletin | 1967 | 12 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | A short table of generalized hypergeometric distribution | Metrika | 1968 | 13 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | Distributions having gamma properties | Metrika | 1968 | 14 | A.M. Mathai | Orthogonal polynomials and a spectral decomposition | Journal of the Indian Statistical Association | 1968 | 15 | A.M. Mathai | Some limit theorems in terms of dispersion | Metron | 1968 | 16 | H. Kaufman, A.M. Mathai, R.K. Saxena | Random variables with random parameters | South African Journal of Statistics | 1969 | 17 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | Applications of special functions in the characterization of probability laws | South African Journal of Statistics | 1969 | 18 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | Distribution of a product and structural setup of densities | The Annals of Mathematical Statistics | 1969 | 19 | A.M. Mathai and P.N. Rathie | The exact distribution for the sphericity test | Journal of Statistical Research | 1970 | 20 | A.M. Mathai and P.N. Rathie | An expansion of G-function and its applications to statistical problems | Roy. Belg. Akad. Class des Sci. | 1970 | 21 | A.M. Mathai | Statistical theory of distributions and Meijer's G-function | Metron | 1970 | 22 | A.M. Mathai and P.N. Rathie | The exact distribution of Votaw's criterion | Annals of the Institute of Statistical Mathematics | 1970 | 23 | A.M. Mathai | An expansion of Meijer's G-function in the logarithmic case with applications | Mathematische Nachrichten | 1970 | 24 | A.M. Mathai | The exact distribution of Bartlett's criterion | Publ. L'ISUP, Paris | 1970 | 25 | A.M. Mathai | The exact distribution of a criterion for testing the hypothesis that several multivariate populations are identical | Journal of the Indian Statistical Association | 1970 | 26 | A.M. Mathai and P.N. Rathie | The problem of testing independence | Statistica | 1971 | 27 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | Extension of Euler's integrals through statistical techniques | Mathematische Nachrichten | 1971 | 28 | A.M. Mathai | An expansion of Meijer's G-function and the distribution of the product of independent beta variables | South African Journal of Statistics | 1971 | 29 | A.M. Mathai and P.N. Rathie | An expansion of Wilks' generalized variance in the non-central linear case | Sankhya Series A | 1971 | 30 | A.M. Mathai and P.N. Rathie | Exact distribution of Wilks' criterion | The Annals of Mathematical Statistics | 1971 | 31 | A.M. Mathai | On the distribution of the likelihood ratio criterion for testing linear hypotheses on regression coefficients | Annals of the Institute of Statistical Mathematics | 1971 | 32 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | Meijer's G-function with matrix argument | Acta Mexicana | 1971 | 33 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | On a generalized probability distribution | Univ. Nac. Rev. Series A | 1972 | 34 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | Expansion of Meijer's G-function of two variables when the upper parameters differ by integers | Kyungpook Mathematics Journal | 1972 | 35 | A.M. Mathai | Exact distribution of a criterion for testing equality of diagonal elements given that the covariance matrix is diagonal. | Trabajos de Estadistica | 1972 | 36 | A.M. Mathai | The exact distribution of a criterion for testing the hypothesis that a covariance matrix is diagonal | Trabajos de Estadistica | 1972 | 37 | H. Kaufman, A.M. Mathai, P.N. Rathie | A mathematical foundation for Pearson's chi-square goodness-of-fit statistic | Sankhya Series A | 1972 | 38 | A.M. Mathai | A few remarks on the exact distribution of certain multivariate statistics | Proceedings of the Symposium on Multivariate Analysis, Halifax | 1972 | 39 | A.M. Mathai | Products and ratios of generalized gamma variates | Skand. Aktuar. | 1972 | 40 | A.M. Mathai and P.N. Rathie | Characterization of Matusita's measure of affinity | Annals of the Institute of Statistical Mathematics | 1972 | 41 | A.M. Mathai and P.N. Rathie | Enumeration of almost cubic maps | Journal of Combinatorial Theory | 1972 | 42 | A.M. Mathai | The exact distribution of three criteria associated with Wilks' concept of generalized variance | Sankhya Series A | 1972 | 43 | A.M. Mathai | The exact non-central distribution of the generalized variance | Annals of the Institute of Statistical Mathematics | 1972 | 44 | F.S. Gordon and A.M. Mathai | Characterization of multivariate normal distribution using regression properties | The Annals of Mathematical Statistics | 1972 | 45 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | On linear combinations of stochastic variables | Metrika | 1973 | 46 | A.M. Mathai and T.A. Davis | A mathematical explanation of the emergence of foliar spirals in coconut and other palm trees | Proceedings of the National Science Academy (India) | 1973 | 47 | H. Kaufman and A.M. Mathai | A mathematical foundation for the measure of affinity | Journal of Multivariate Analysis | 1973 | 48 | A.M. Mathai | A review of the various methods of obtaining the exact distributions of multivariate test criteria | Sankhya Series A | 1973 | 49 | A.M. Mathai | A few remarks on some recent articles on the exact distributions of multivariate test criteria | Annals of the Institute of Statistical Mathematics | 1973 | 50 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | Generalized Hypergeometric Functions with Applications in Statistics and Physical Sciences | Springer-Verlag, Lectures Notes No.348 | 1973 | 51 | A.M. Mathai and P.N. Rathie | Characterizations of some statistical concepts | Measures of Information and Their Applications, IIT, Bombay | 1974 | 52 | Aleyamma George and A.M. Mathai | Applications of the concepts of affinity and distance to population problems | Journal of Biosocial Sciences (London) | 1974 | 53 | T.A. Davis and A.M. Mathai | Constructing a sunflower head | Mathematical Biosciences | 1974 | 54 | Aleyamma George and A.M. Mathai | Distributions of inter-live-birth intervals | Sankhya Series B | 1975 | 55 | A.M. Mathai | Bounds for moments through a general orthogonal expansion in a pre-Hilbert space-I | The Canadian Journal of Statistics | 1975 | 56 | Aleyamma George and A.M. Mathai | A measure of group behaviour, its characterization, and applications in socio-anthropological studies | Canadian Studies in Population | 1975 | 57 | A.M. Mathai and P.N. Rathie | Basic Concepts in Information Theory and Statistics: Axiomatic Foundations and Applications | Wiley Halsted, New York and Wiley Eastern, New Delhi | 1977 | 58 | A.M. Mathai and P.N. Rathie | Recent contributions to axiomatic definitions of information and statistical measures through functional equations | Essays in Probability and Statistics | 1976 | 59 | Aleyamma George and A.M. Mathai | Distribution of birth interval based on original data | Demography of India | 1976 | 60 | A.M. Mathai | Bounds for moments through a general orthogonal expansion in a pre-Hilbert space -II | The Canadian Journal of Statistics | 1976 | 61 | A.M. Mathai and P.N. Rathie | Probability and Statistics | Macmillan and Co, London and New Delhi | 1977 | 62 | A.M. Mathai | An axiomatic foundation for the multivariate measure of affinity with applications in social statistics | Transactions of the Seventh Prague Conference on Information Theory | 1977 | 63 | A.M. Mathai and W.Y. Tan | The non-null distribution of the likelihood ratio criterion for testing the hypothesis that the covariance matrix is diagonal | The Canadian Journal of Statistics | 1977 | 64 | A.M. Mathai | A short note on the non-null distribution for the problem of sphericity | Sankhya Series B | 1978 | 65 | A.M. Mathai and G. Pederzoli | Characterization of the Normal Probability Law | Wiley Halsted, New York and Wiley Eastern, New Delhi | 1977 | 66 | A.M. Mathai | A new approach to multivariate statistical distributions | Proceedings of the 11th Brazilian Mathematical Colloquium | 1978 | 67 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | The H-function with Applications in Statistics and Other Disciplines | Wiley Halsted, New York and Wiley Eastern, New Delhi | 1978 | 68 | Aleyamma George and A.M. Mathai | A study of live births and group behaviour by using a measure of attraction | The Manpower Journal | 1978 | 69 | A.M. Mathai | On the non-null distribution of Wilks' Lmvc | Sankhya Series B | 1978 | 70 | A.M. Mathai | Some results on functions of matrix argument | Mathematische Nachrichten | 1978 | 71 | A.M. Mathai and R.K. Saxena | Fox's H-function with matrix argument | Journal de Matematica e Estatistica | 1979 | 72 | A.M. Mathai | The exact distribution and the exact percentage points for testing equality of variances in independent normal population | Journal of Statistical Computations and Simulation | 1979 |
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