Chris Hans

Chris Hans is an Associate Professor of Statistics and Vice Chair for Undergraduate Studies and Administration at The Ohio State University. He joined the faculty in 2005 and is affiliated with the Translational Data Analytics (TDA) program. His research focuses on Bayesian methodology for complex datasets, including prior distributions, model uncertainty, and computational methods like MCMC. He co-directs the interdisciplinary Data Analytics undergraduate program and organizes the ASA DataFest @ OSU. Hans serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics and has held editorial roles for Bayesian Analysis and Computational Statistics and Data Analysis.

• Education: PhD in Statistics from Duke University (2005).

Key research interests include Bayesian model selection, prior distributions in regression, and scalable computational techniques. His work bridges methodological development and practical applications, with contributions to high-dimensional regression, graphical models, and robust predictive modeling. Recent publications emphasize Bayesian elastic net methods, empirical Bayes approaches, and composite Gaussian processes for non-stationary data.

Hans' articles reflect a focus on computational Bayesian methods, prior sensitivity, and model averaging. His work addresses challenges in handling large-scale data and complex models while maintaining computational efficiency. He has contributed to the development of distributed computing frameworks for high-dimensional regression and stochastic search algorithms. Notably, his research on hyper-g priors and block sampling techniques has advanced Bayesian variable selection in regression models.

As a professional leader, Hans has served the International Society for Bayesian Analysis and the American Statistical Association. His contributions include editorial work, grant-funded research (e.g., National Science Foundation support), and mentorship in interdisciplinary data science initiatives. He is actively involved in fostering statistical education through undergraduate programs and competitions like DataFest.