Ding Jian is currently Chair Professor at PKU School of Mathematical Sciences and Professor at National Engineering Laboratory

Peking University, May 9, 2025: Peking University Chair Professor Ding Jian has been elected a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS), one of the highest honors in the field of statistics and probability. The appointment, announced on the IMS official website, recognizes Professor Ding’s groundbreaking contributions to the probability theory of disordered systems.

A prominent figure in modern probability theory, Professor Ding is based at the School of Mathematical Sciences and the Center for Statistical Science at Peking University, where he also serves as a doctoral advisor. His research lies at the intersection of probability, statistical physics, and computer science.

Professor Ding began his academic journey at Peking University, earning his bachelor's degree in 2006. He later completed his Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley in 2011. His academic career includes positions at the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania, where he held the prestigious Gilbert Helman Chair Professorship in the Department of Statistics.

Over the years, Professor Ding has earned numerous accolades, including the Rollo Davidson Prize, Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, NSF Career Award, Line and Michel Loève International Prize in Probability, and the Xplorer Prize. He has also been recognized globally with invitations to speak at leading conferences, including the 2022 International Congress of Mathematicians, the 2023 IMS Medallion Lecture, and a plenary session at the 2024 International Congress on Mathematical Physics.

Founded in 1935, the IMS is a leading global organization dedicated to the advancement of probability and statistics in both theory and application. Fellowship is granted to members who have demonstrated exceptional research excellence and professional contributions. The title is a lifetime honour and signifies a scholar's lasting impact on the field.

With Professor Ding’s induction, Peking University’s Center for Statistical Science now has five faculty members who are IMS Fellows, joining Chen Songxi, Wang Hansheng, Yao Fang, and Zhou Xiaohua—cementing the university’s position as a leading institution in the statistical sciences.

Written by: Xu Ziyue
Edited by: Sean Tan, Chen Shizhuo