# Sara van de Geer > Dutch statistician **Wikidata**: [Q21055946](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21055946) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sara_van_de_Geer) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sara-van-de-geer ## Summary Sara van de Geer is a Dutch statistician and mathematician, born in 1958, known for her seminal contributions to the theory of empirical processes and its applications to statistics. She is a Professor at ETH Zurich and a member of several prestigious academies, including the National Academy of Sciences and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. ## Biography - **Born:** May 7, 1958, in Leiden, Netherlands - **Nationality:** Kingdom of the Netherlands - **Education:** Leiden University; Doctoral advisors: Willem van Zwet and Richard D. Gill - **Known for:** Seminal contributions to the theory of empirical processes and machine learning - **Employer(s):** ETH Zurich (current work location: Switzerland); Leiden University (Professor, 1999–2005); Utrecht University; University of Bristol; Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier University - **Field(s):** Mathematical statistics, multivariate analysis, machine learning ## Contributions Sara van de Geer has made significant contributions to the fields of mathematical statistics and machine learning, specifically recognized for her work on empirical processes. Her research includes the publication "Lectures on Empirical Processes: Theory and Statistical Applications." She has an Erdős number of 2, derived through her collaboration with Paul Deheuvels. Throughout her academic career, she has supervised numerous doctoral students, including Nicolas Städler, Marten Wegkamp, Jean-Michel Loubès, Marco E. G. V. Cattaneo, and Jana Janková (PhD completed in 2017). She has held academic positions at several major institutions, serving as a Dutch ordinary professor at Leiden University (Faculty of Science) from 1999 to September 1, 2005, before moving to ETH Zurich. Her work also extends to multivariate analysis. ## FAQs ### Q: What is Sara van de Geer's most recognized award? A: She received the Van Wijngaarden Award in 2016. Additionally, she was named a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics in 2001 for her contributions to empirical processes. ### Q: Where did Sara van de Geer receive her education? A: She was educated at Leiden University in the Netherlands, where she completed her doctorate under the supervision of Willem van Zwet and Richard D. Gill. ### Q: Is Sara van de Geer a member of the National Academy of Sciences? A: Yes, she was elected a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences in 2022. ## Why They Matter Sara van de Geer is a pivotal figure in modern statistics, bridging the gap between theoretical mathematical statistics and practical applications in machine learning. Her election to the National Academy of Sciences (2022) and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (2012) underscores the global impact of her research. By training a new generation of statisticians through her extensive doctoral supervision at institutions like Leiden University and ETH Zurich, she has influenced the trajectory of research in multivariate analysis and empirical processes. Her role as a Dutch ordinary professor and her continued work in Switzerland highlight her sustained leadership in the European mathematical community. ## Notable For - **Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics:** Elected in 2001 for "seminal contributions to the theory of empirical processes." - **Foreign Associate:** National Academy of Sciences (elected 2022). - **Van Wijngaarden Award:** Recipient in 2016. - **Academic Lineage:** Doctoral student of Willem van Zwet and Richard D. Gill; doctoral advisor to numerous researchers including Jana Janková and Marten Wegkamp. - **Erdős Number:** 2. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Sara Anna van de Geer was born on May 7, 1958, in Leiden, Netherlands. She is the daughter of John P. van de Geer. She pursued her higher education at Leiden University, where she completed her PhD. Her doctoral research was supervised by Willem van Zwet and Richard D. Gill. ### Academic Career Van de Geer has held positions at several prominent universities. She served as a Dutch ordinary professor at Leiden University's Faculty of Science from 1999 to September 1, 2005. Her career also includes tenures at Utrecht University, the University of Bristol, and Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier University. She is currently affiliated with ETH Zurich in Switzerland. ### Research and Publications Her primary fields of work include mathematical statistics, multivariate analysis, and machine learning. She is the author of "Lectures on Empirical Processes: Theory and Statistical Applications." In 2007, her Erdős number was calculated as 2, linking her to Paul Deheuvels. ### Doctoral Supervision Van de Geer has supervised a significant number of PhD students. Her students include: - Nicolas Städler - Marten Wegkamp - Jean-Michel Loubès - Roman Werner Lutz - Marco E. G. V. Cattaneo - Bernadetta Tarigan - Charles Moverly Mitchell - Philipp Arthur Rütimann - Johannes C. Lederer - Patric Müller - Jana Janková (completed 2017) ### Professional Memberships and Honors She holds membership in the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and became an ordinary member of Academia Europaea in 2020. In 2012, she joined the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Her status as a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (2001) was awarded for her service to the profession and editorial work. ## References 1. BnF authorities 2. Leidse Hoogleraren 3. Czech National Authority Database 4. Scientific Legacy Database 5. Mathematics Genealogy Project 6. Virtual International Authority File 7. [Leopoldina: Detail](https://www.leopoldina.org/mitglieder/mitgliederverzeichnis/detail/sara-anna-van-de-geer/) 8. [Academy of Europe: van de Geer Sara](https://www.ae-info.org/ae/Member/van_de_Geer_Sara) 9. [Sara A. van de Geer – NAS](https://www.nasonline.org/directory-entry/sara-a-van-de-geer-7iyavk/) 10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File