The stochastic systems group conducts research analyzing complex uncertain systems using statistics and algorithms. Their research spans theoretical development of new models to application in fields like remote sensing, image analysis, and target recognition. Students engage across theory and applications to define models with insights and technological impact. Current work involves multiresolution modeling of signals and spatial data to capture phenomena at multiple scales. The group also researches nonlinear image analysis, inverse problems, and spatial geometry modeling. Their work informs applications in oceanography, hydrology, biomedicine, and more. The group fosters student development through an interactive environment blending theory and applications to define meaningful research problems. Their field is rapidly changing, requiring adaptability to new challenges.

1. The research mission of the stochastic systems group is to conduct basic research in the analysis of complex systems and phenomena subject to
uncertainty and statistical variability and to develop advanced algorithms for the statistical analysis of signals and imagery. The research within the
group spans the very broad spectrum from theoretical development and analysis of new models and algorithms to the in-depth application of these
theoretical results to challenging applications. In particular, virtually every student or post-graduate researcher working in the group engages in
activities across this entire range, since a key goal in our work is to define new models and theoretical frameworks that lead both to deep insights
about complex applications and to enabling technologies which can have a significant impact within these application domains.
At present and for the next few years, a first major theoretical thrust of the group's work involves the development of methods for multiresolution
modeling and analysis of complex phenomena and processing of signals and spatial data. The major objective of this work is to develop models that
allow us both to capture a wide range of physical and statistical phenomena at multiple scales and to exploit the structure of these models in order to
develop algorithms capable of solving problems that had heretofore been considered prohibitively complex. In addition, our group also engages
actively in basic research in (i) nonlinear algorithms for robust image analysis; (ii) image reconstruction algorithms and more generally statistical
methods for inverse problems in mathematical physics; and (iii) the statistical modeling of the geometry of spatial phenomena and the exploitation of
these models in image analysis and computer vision. Applications which are currently driving our work and in which we are also actively engaged
include the fusion and assimilation of multisensor data for remote sensing problems in oceanography and hydrology, biomedical image analysis, and
the statistical modeling of complex sensing systems for image reconstruction and automatic target recognition. In recent years our research has led to
significant new methods and results in each of these fields, providing a foundation on which we plan to build in the years to come.
The research activities within our group are performed in a highly interactive manner, providing a rich and supportive environment for the students and
post-graduate researchers involved. Indeed, in addition to the research mission outlined in the preceding paragraph, our group also has an equally
important educational mission, namely to foster the professional development of the exceptionally talented young people with whom we have the
privilege to work. Both the interactive nature of the environment within the group as well as the mixture of theory and applications play important roles
in this process. By blending theory and applications, students learn about and engage in the difficult creative process of defining research problems
that satisfy three important criteria, namely that they are interesting, tractable, and of real significance. Also, by working in an interactive environment,
students not only learn about the intellectual give-and-take that is such an important part of that creative process, but they also gain valuable
experience in working with others and with a team. Our field is changing rapidly, and its interactions with other disciplines and with a dizzying array of
applications will, with certainty, continue to grow and change in the future. As a consequence, future leaders in the field will need to have the
intellectual and technical agility to adapt to new challenges and the curiosity and enthusiasm to welcome them. We have tried to create an
environment and an intellectual agenda that allows students to succeed and thrive in such an arena.
http://ssg.mit.edu/mission.shtml
THE STOCHASTIC SYSTEM GROUP MISSION STATEMENT

2. But the Intention is to “Illuminate”
BLAH BLAHAMETER READING IS “BLAH“ (“Boring”)
Word Count = 599
1) The research mission of the stochastic systems group is to conduct basic research in the analysis of complex systems and phenomena subject to
uncertainty and statistical variability and to develop advanced algorithms for the statistical analysis of signals and imagery. The research within
the group spans the very broad spectrum from theoretical development and analysis of new models and algorithms to the in-depth application of
these theoretical results to challenging applications. In particular, virtually every student or post-graduate researcher working in the group
engages in activities across this entire range, since a key goal in our work is to define new models and theoretical frameworks that lead both to
deep insights about complex applications and to enabling technologies which can have a significant impact within these application domains.
2) At present and for the next few years, a first major theoretical thrust of the group's work involves the development of methods for multiresolution
modeling and analysis of complex phenomena and processing of signals and spatial data. The major objective of this work is to develop models
that allow us both to capture a wide range of physical and statistical phenomena at multiple scales and to exploit the structure of these models in
order to develop algorithms capable of solving problems that had heretofore been considered prohibitively complex. In addition, our group also
engages actively in basic research in (i) nonlinear algorithms for robust image analysis; (ii) image reconstruction algorithms and more generally
statistical methods for inverse problems in mathematical physics; and (iii) the statistical modeling of the geometry of spatial phenomena and the
exploitation of these models in image analysis and computer vision. Applications which are currently driving our work and in which we are also
actively engaged include the fusion and assimilation of multisensor data for remote sensing problems in oceanography and hydrology,
biomedical image analysis, and the statistical modeling of complex sensing systems for image reconstruction and automatic target
recognition. In recent years our research has led to significant new methods and results in each of these fields, providing a foundation on which
we plan to build in the years to come.
3) The research activities within our group are performed in a highly interactive manner, providing a rich and supportive environment for the students
and post-graduate researchers involved. Indeed, in addition to the research mission outlined in the preceding paragraph, our group also has an
equally important educational mission, namely to foster the professional development of the exceptionally talented young people with whom we
have the privilege to work. Both the interactive nature of the environment within the group as well as the mixture of theory and applications play
important roles in this process. By blending theory and applications, students learn about and engage in the difficult creative process of defining
research problems that satisfy three important criteria, namely that they are interesting, tractable, and of real significance. Also, by working in an
interactive environment, students not only learn about the intellectual give-and-take that is such an important part of that creative process, but
they also gain valuable experience in working with others and with a team. Our field is changing rapidly, and its interactions with other disciplines
and with a dizzying array of applications will, with certainty, continue to grow and change in the future. As a consequence, future leaders in the
field will need to have the intellectual and technical agility to adapt to new challenges and the curiosity and enthusiasm to welcome them. We
have tried to create an environment and an intellectual agenda that allows students to succeed and thrive in such an arena.

3. WE ARE THE STOCHASTICS…
Analyzing stochastic (theoretically probable) systems
using statistics and mathematics to derive their underlying
algorithmic forms then illustrating with pictures and graphs.
SPECIALIZING IN:
Oceanography Hydrology Biomedics
LEARNNG TOGETHER
Encouraging professional development and educational
excellence through teamwork and interdisciplinary studies
A (NEW) STOCHASTIC SYSTEM GROUP MISSION STATEMENT
John Hipsley, CA
July 17th, 2012
Vivid Thinking Declutters and Sharpens: - Word Count = 30 (Plus 5 Pictures)