he's one of the world's leading figures in astrostatistics, a new discipline focusing on the use of statistical methods to solve problems in cosmology and astrophysics. roberto has held research positions at university of geneva, the university of oxford as well as visiting positions at the african institute for mathematical sciences in capetown -- [speaking in native tongue] and university of california at santa barbara. he also has published more than 50 scientific papers, contributed to two books and received numerous awards for his research, including michaelson prize of case western reserve university, the lord calvin award of the british association for the advancement of science and a public engagement fellowship by the science and technology facilities council. please join me in welcoming dr. roberto trotta. [applause] >> thank you. good evening, everyone, and thanks for being here. i'm very pleased to be here tonight in such an amazing place. i love this city that sits on the edge of the big body of water looking towards where the sun goes down. i love are its ups and down, its ever-su