Investigating Convergence of Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods for Bayesian Phylogenetic Inference
David A. Spade · OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network) · 2013
This dissertation is the culmination of many years of education.One does not arrive at this point without the help and support of others, and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge those who played a role in my reaching this stage of my career as a student.First and foremost, I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my advisors, Dr. Radu Herbei and Dr. Laura Kubatko.I have learned a great deal from each of them.Some of the things I have learned from them are research-related, but the others are life lessons that I will carry with me after I leave Ohio State.They have taught me that making a mistake is permissible, but that making the same mistake more than once is not.They have also taught me that there is a time for discussion, and there is a time for doing what those who have more knowledge and experience say to do.The ability to make this distinction can mean the difference between success and failure.From them, I have learned that the key to one's success in research is that he or she never stops asking questions.I believe these lessons will serve me well both in my academic career and in my life outside of my career.I would also like to express my appreciation to my dissertation committee members, Drs.Steven MacEachern and Dennis Pearl, for taking the time to discuss some matters related to my research with v me, to read my dissertation, and to sit on my dissertation defense.I would also like to thank Dr. MacEachern for the milk he brought to class for me on the final instructional day of STAT 620.Graduate school is not easy, and for me, a stable and supportive family life has been essential to my reaching this point.I would like to thank my wife, Marie, who has, on several occasions, made sacrifices in order to facilitate my success in this undertaking.In general, I am grateful to her for agreeing to be mixed up with me for the rest of her life.I would also like to express my gratitude to the following family members and friends for their continuous