Scotland C. Leman

Scotland C. Leman is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in the Department of Statistics at Virginia Tech's College of Science. He holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from Duke University (2007) and advanced degrees from Stanford University and UC Davis. His research focuses on Bayesian statistics, visual analytics, stochastic modeling, and applications in molecular evolution and epidemiology. Leman has developed innovative methods in statistical simulation and interaction-driven data analysis, bridging computational statistics with domain sciences like genetics and public health.

Education:

• Ph.D., Statistics, Duke University (2007)
• M.S., Statistics, Duke University (2005)
• M.S., Scientific Computing & Computational Mathematics, Stanford University (2003)
• B.S., Mathematics (Cum Laude), UC Davis (2001)

Research Interests:

Leman's work integrates statistical theory with applied problems in genetics and epidemiology. He develops Bayesian methods for analyzing complex biological systems, including pathogen evolution, disease transmission dynamics, and chromosomal evolution in malaria mosquitoes. His visual analytics research emphasizes user-driven interaction with statistical models, enabling more intuitive data exploration in domains such as public health and environmental science.

Awards:

• Mu Sigma Rho (National Statistics Honor Society)
• Phi Kappa Phi (National Honor Society)
• Pi Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Honor Society)
• Golden Key

Teaching & Leadership:

As Director of Graduate Programs, Leman oversees the department's graduate curriculum while teaching advanced courses in Bayesian statistics, stochastic modeling, and data analytics. His teaching emphasizes hands-on learning through interactive visualizations and real-world data applications.

Labs/Teams:

Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in computational biology, epidemiology, and visual analytics. Active in malaria genomics research through projects on Anopheles mosquitoes and pathogen host adaptation.