Uncommon Ground

Uncommon Ground

Monthly Archive: September 2023

Drift simulation and binomial simulation uploaded

I’ve added both an HTML and an R notebook version of the simple drift simulation I showed in class so that you can play with it on your own if you don’t want to bother with the snazzier online version. I’ve also added a simulation you can play with to convince yourself that there’s no directional tendency for allele frequencies using sampling from a binomial distribution. Both are linked to from the lecture detail page.

By the way, I tried the snazzy online version that wasn’t updating properly, and it worked this time. As you can see below, when I set the population size to 1000, the allele frequencies change, but not nearly as much as when the population size is only 100 (or 10).

September 26, 2023 Uncategorized 0 Read more >

My time as Vice Provost and Dean is coming to an end

The very small number of people who read what I write here probably all know the news in the headline, but it’s now official. Provost Anne D’Alleva sent an overly nice email about my departure as Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School at the end of this academic year. The exact date when I step down will depend on when my successor wants to start, but I anticipate that my last day as VP and Dean will be either 30 June 2024 or 31 July 2024.

On the off chance that you’re interested in what the Provost had to say about my departure, here’s the text of the email she sent to faculty, staff, and graduate students yesterday. (I’m still blushing.)

Dear Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students,

With mixed emotions, I write to inform you that Kent Holsinger, our esteemed Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School, will be stepping down from his position at the end of this academic year. Kent’s departure marks the end of a remarkable 12-year tenure in this position.

Kent has been an integral part of our university community for over 38 years, and his contributions to graduate education and unwavering commitment to supporting students have left an indelible mark on our institution. Throughout his time as Vice Provost and Dean Kent has displayed exceptional leadership, fostering an environment of academic excellence and inclusivity.

Under Kent’s guidance, our graduate programs have flourished, reflecting his passion for advancing the academic and professional pursuits of our graduate students. His tireless efforts have resulted in innovative programs that empower our students to thrive in their chosen fields. Kent has played an important role in the development of entrepreneurial graduate programs and has spearheaded efforts to bring new graduate programs like Data Science to UConn.

One of Kent’s defining characteristics is his genuine dedication to supporting students. He has worked tirelessly to create resources and initiatives that enhance the graduate student experience, ensuring that they have access to the tools and opportunities needed for success. Many students have benefited from his mentorship, guidance, and advocacy, and his impact will be felt for years to come.

We will be organizing a special event to celebrate Kent’s accomplishments and contributions at the end of the year. In the coming weeks I will share plans for forming a committee to conduct an internal search for Kent’s successor.

Please join me in expressing our deepest gratitude to Kent for his remarkable service as Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School.

September 13, 2023 Uncategorized 0 Read more >