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When You’re a Statistical Improbability

Season 1, Episode 11

When You’re a Statistical Improbability

Thinking Creatively About Life and the Mathematics Within It with Sybil Prince Nelson

Join us for a truly unique conversation with Assistant Professor of Mathematics Sybil Prince Nelson (‘01). Together, we discuss her path through W&L as a Math and Music major; her current careers as a statistician, author and professor; and why she dubbed herself a “statistic improbability."
Recorded October 26, 2020
Aired November 10, 2020 

"I believe there is an inherent beauty in numbers, just like there’s an inherent beauty in words…. Think about the way that everything in the world is interconnected. Everything in the world has some sort of mathematical foundation, and it’s just remarkable. Even things that we consider beautiful in art or music; well, they’re beautiful because they follow some sort of mathematical formula!"
~ Sybil Prince Nelson

Adding To Your Understanding


Note: Don’t forget to check out the recipe for vegan Popeye’s chicken and mac ‘n’ cheese!


Communications in Statistics
by Sybil Prince Nelson


Little Prince Publishing
by Sybil Prince Nelson


Little Prince Publishing
by Sybil Prince Nelson


Little Prince Publishing
by Sybil Prince Nelson


Little Prince Publishing
by Sybil Prince Nelson


Little Prince Publishing
by Sybil Prince Nelson


Little Prince Publishing
by Sybil Prince Nelson


Note: Leslie DuBois is Sybil’s nom de plume for some of the other books she writes!

Recommended Reading


Penguin Random House
by Harriet A. Washington


Crown Publishing Group
by Rebecca Skloot


Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission 


Psychology Today


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