Steve Thompson




classes

writings

Research


My recent research has involved new adaptive designs for sampling populations that are elusive, rare, uneven, or hard to detect.  Some of this work is focused on sampling in networks and some on sampling in spatial settings.  Most recently I worked on sampling designs in which the sampling units are in motion.

A lot of the spatial sampling work has been motivated by problems in environmental studies, including ecological surveys of rare, clustered animal and plant species. 

The network sampling work has been motivated by problems in studies of hidden human populations such as those at high risk for HIV/AIDS, including injecting drug users and commercial sex workers. 

The designs in which the sampling units move were motivated by the problem of placing sensors to detect harmful microorganisms in the atmosphere.

Selected publications and working papers related to these and other interests may be found here