WHAT:  Research Faculty Luncheon
WHEN:  February 28, 2008, noon – 1:30 p.m.
WHERE:  Student Union, Cape Florida Room 316 AB
TOPIC:  Pearls and Perils in Natural Catastrophes-Opportunities for Statistical Collaboration

Dr. Mark Johnson, Director, Institute of Statistics and Professor in the Department of Statistics at UCF and Charles Watson, Director of Research and Development for Kinetic Analysis Corporation will give a presentation on natural catastrophes - including hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, sinkholes, tornadoes, and wildfires. During their lunchtime presentation, Dr. Johnson and Mr. Watson will give a brief overview of their work in this area (http://hurricane.methaz.org) and highlight some specific projects including a recent hurricane model comparison study for the Honorable Marco Rubio, Speaker of the Florida House.

The presenters also recently conducted a project to help the Florida House and Senate Insurance Committees understand the role that computer risk models play in establishing insurance rates in Florida and site specific assessments in the Caribbean. Impacts on gas and oil production, electric power grids and agricultural production will be discussed and opportunities for collaboration will be emphasized during the luncheon presentation.

A free boxed sandwich lunch will be provided to all those to RSVP by Thursday, February 21st to Maddy Chokshi at mchokshi@mail.ucf.edu or via phone at 407-882-1141.

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