Shaw-Hwa Lo
Shaw-Hwa Lo
a pioneering statistician, a visionary thinker, a beloved teacher, and a passionate and inspiring guide who believed that statistics should address problems that matter to society.
Obituary
The Department of Statistics at Columbia University mourns the passing of Professor Shaw-Hwa Lo, who passed away in Taiwan on October 25, 2025, at the age of 74.
Professor Lo was a pioneering statistician, a visionary thinker, and a beloved teacher whose work shaped modern statistics, data science, and the field of genetics. He joined Columbia University in 1990 and served the department and the broader university with extraordinary dedication for more than three decades.
Born in Taiwan, Professor Lo earned his B.S. in Mathematics from National Taiwan University, M.A. in Mathematics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of California, Berkeley. Before joining Columbia, he taught at Rutgers and Harvard Universities.
At Columbia, Professor Lo played a central role in rebuilding and expanding the Department of Statistics, serving first as Co-Chair (1995–1998) and then Chair (1998–2004). His leadership helped transform the department into a leading center for statistical research and education.
Professor Lo’s research spanned asymptotic theory, resampling methods, survival analysis, and statistical genetics. He was known internationally for developing the Partition Retention (PR) framework and the I-Score, highly innovative tools for variable selection and prediction in high-dimensional data. His innovations bridged theory and application, advancing work in public health, biology, and transportation safety.
In 2019, he received the inaugural Chernoff Excellence in Statistics Award from the New England Statistical Society, recognizing his lifetime achievements in advancing statistics and data science.
Professor Lo is remembered for his intellectual rigor, generosity, and unwavering mentorship. His students and colleagues recall him as a passionate and inspiring guide who believed that statistics should address problems that matter to society.
He is survived by his wife, Vicky Chao, his daughter, Adeline Lo, and his son, Alexander Lo. His passing is a profound loss to the Columbia community and to the global field of statistics.
Memorial Events
Several memorial events are being planned to celebrate Professor Lo's scholarship and impact.
+ December 17, 2025 15:00-16:50 (Local Time) Joint 2025 Conference (https://www3.stat.sinica.edu.tw/joint2025), Taipei, Taiwan; Organized by Henry Lu
+ August 1st, 2026 18:00-21:00 (Local Time) Celebration of Life Dinner at JSM 2026 (https://ww2.amstat.org/meetings/jsm/2026), Boston, MA; Organized by Tian Zheng
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November 14, 2025
Shaw-Hwa was a great scholar, mentor, and friend.
It was an incredible experience studying under him from 2012 until 2020. I will always remember Shaw-Hwa's passion for statistics. He would often become animated when describing his ideas, and his face would light up. If he really got going, his hands would gesture wildly.
He was an original thinker that did not shy away from pursuing unconventional ideas. I often found him in his office, lost in thought. In the years that I knew him, he pursued research largely out of love for the field of statistics. That love was evident from his personal life as well. His family dog was named Fisher, and if I recall correctly, he gave Sheldon Ross' A First Course in Probability to his children as a coming-of-age gift. Something my children can now look forward to.
Most of all, I will remember Shaw-Hwa's generosity. He always had time for me. He cultivated a loving community both professionally and at home, which I think is his biggest legacy. He will live on forever in the work of his students and colleagues.
It was an incredible experience studying under him from 2012 until 2020. I will always remember Shaw-Hwa's passion for statistics. He would often become animated when describing his ideas, and his face would light up. If he really got going, his hands would gesture wildly.
He was an original thinker that did not shy away from pursuing unconventional ideas. I often found him in his office, lost in thought. In the years that I knew him, he pursued research largely out of love for the field of statistics. That love was evident from his personal life as well. His family dog was named Fisher, and if I recall correctly, he gave Sheldon Ross' A First Course in Probability to his children as a coming-of-age gift. Something my children can now look forward to.
Most of all, I will remember Shaw-Hwa's generosity. He always had time for me. He cultivated a loving community both professionally and at home, which I think is his biggest legacy. He will live on forever in the work of his students and colleagues.
November 12, 2025
I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Shaw-Hwa. He was a warm and welcoming presence in the department, always seen with a smile. I will always remember how he consistently took the time to say hello and ask about my PhD progress. He will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to his family and all who knew him.
November 8, 2025
Prof. Lo was such a passionate and warm person, his energy was contagious in a good way. I’ve always admired how dedicated he was to his research and how much heart he put into everything he did. He truly inspired everyone around him. He’ll be deeply missed, but his spirit and passion will definitely stay with all of us who were lucky enough to know him.
November 7, 2025
I am so sorry for the sad news. I still remember the first day in Professor Lo’s class: he walked into the classroom with a big smile and a book. His passion in statistical research was truly inspiring.
November 7, 2025
Shocking and deeply sorry to hear the passing of dear friend Shaw-Hwa. A wonderful person and an outstanding statistician. He will be missed.
November 6, 2025
Prof. Lo’s guidance shaped my academic journey and influenced how I think and work even after I graduated. His strength, wisdom and dedication have always been a source of inspiration to me. I am honored to carry his advice with me and I will always be grateful for the insights he shared so generously.
November 6, 2025
I knew Shaw-Hwa off and on for nearly 40 years. I first met him as a very junior researcher, and at first he terrified me. But he was gracious and over the course of our conversation he put me at ease.
Since then, we engaged in many different ways. I gave colloquia at Columbia on several occasions, and we generally had dinner and a wonderful conversation. I admired his work with Herman Chernoff and Tian Zheng.
A few years ago I was fortunate to have a sabbatical with the Dept. of Statistics at Columbia. Unfortunately, Shaw-Hwa had begun to step back a little, and so I saw less of him than I would have wished. But his presence in the department was still palpable, and it has benefitted continually from his leadership and vision. I miss him very much, as does our profession.
Since then, we engaged in many different ways. I gave colloquia at Columbia on several occasions, and we generally had dinner and a wonderful conversation. I admired his work with Herman Chernoff and Tian Zheng.
A few years ago I was fortunate to have a sabbatical with the Dept. of Statistics at Columbia. Unfortunately, Shaw-Hwa had begun to step back a little, and so I saw less of him than I would have wished. But his presence in the department was still palpable, and it has benefitted continually from his leadership and vision. I miss him very much, as does our profession.
November 5, 2025
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Lo, who is a tremendous teacher, guide and mentor to me.
I remember the first time I knocked on his office door as a shy biology student and was welcomed with great warmth. He patiently introduced me to statistical research and generously included me in the weekly group meetings. Without his enthusiastic guidance, my transition from biology to statistics would not have been so smooth.
During my graduate studies in statistics, Professor Lo shared a profound wisdom that touches not only on academic research, but also on career development, healthy lifestyle, best traveling tips and politics, almost every aspect of our lives. Beyond that, Professor Lo hosted Thanksgiving party almost every year, a moment our whole family looked forward to. The party was a feast and a reunion with friends and was always filled with joy and laughter.
I am grateful to be his student and his legacy of intellectual rigor, boundless kindness and profound wisdom will be missed and forever endure.
I remember the first time I knocked on his office door as a shy biology student and was welcomed with great warmth. He patiently introduced me to statistical research and generously included me in the weekly group meetings. Without his enthusiastic guidance, my transition from biology to statistics would not have been so smooth.
During my graduate studies in statistics, Professor Lo shared a profound wisdom that touches not only on academic research, but also on career development, healthy lifestyle, best traveling tips and politics, almost every aspect of our lives. Beyond that, Professor Lo hosted Thanksgiving party almost every year, a moment our whole family looked forward to. The party was a feast and a reunion with friends and was always filled with joy and laughter.
I am grateful to be his student and his legacy of intellectual rigor, boundless kindness and profound wisdom will be missed and forever endure.
November 5, 2025
It has been a rare privilege to have Shaw-Hwa as a classmate (three times), a collaborator (for forty years), and a dear friend (for over fifty years). I first learned survival analysis through him and gained enormously from our two collaborative projects. His passion for research was contagious, and his sense of humor made every challenge enjoyable, even when progress seemed impossible. As many have said, he was warm and generous, but what I will miss most is his sharp wit.
November 4, 2025
It is heartbreaking and very sad to hear the news of Professor Lo’s passing.
I had the privilege of having him as my advisor, guiding me as we tackled high-dimensional gene interaction problems. He was the kindest person, always incredibly supportive and making himself available to discuss my work.
I still vividly remember a couple of times we walked along College Walk after our discussions on Sunday noon. During those walks, he didn't only share his brilliant research ideas but also offered valuable guidance on life.
Personally, he was one of the warmest people I have ever known. My family and I were always honored to join the Thanksgiving dinner he hosted every year to share the joy of the holiday. Even after I graduated, his family always welcomed me and my family to visit—my kids actually received lots of wonderful toys from him and his family over the years.
He was a truly great mentor, and I will miss him greatly. His influence on my career and life is something I will always cherish.
I had the privilege of having him as my advisor, guiding me as we tackled high-dimensional gene interaction problems. He was the kindest person, always incredibly supportive and making himself available to discuss my work.
I still vividly remember a couple of times we walked along College Walk after our discussions on Sunday noon. During those walks, he didn't only share his brilliant research ideas but also offered valuable guidance on life.
Personally, he was one of the warmest people I have ever known. My family and I were always honored to join the Thanksgiving dinner he hosted every year to share the joy of the holiday. Even after I graduated, his family always welcomed me and my family to visit—my kids actually received lots of wonderful toys from him and his family over the years.
He was a truly great mentor, and I will miss him greatly. His influence on my career and life is something I will always cherish.
November 3, 2025
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Professor Lo. I remember Professor Lo from when I was a child, when my brother and I were warmly welcomed into the Lo household in New York for playdates with Adeline and Alex. Sending condolences to the family.
November 3, 2025
I am deeply grateful for the time I spent with Professor Lo during my sabbatical, and after I moved to New York, when he welcomed my family and me with uncommon warmth. He treated us like friends and part of his own circle—inviting us into his home for Thanksgiving, sharing stories, laughter, and thoughtful conversations that I carry with me to this day. His kindness, generosity, and genuine curiosity about others made a lasting impression on me, both as a scholar and as a person. I’ll miss his thoughtful guidance and the sense of welcome he gave so freely. My heart goes out to his family and to everyone whose life he touched.
November 3, 2025
My collaboration with Shaw-Hwa began 20 years ago, and his unique visionary approach to statistics profoundly shaped my own thinking. Over the past two years, I had the privilege to work with him more closely than ever. Despite facing health challenges, Shaw-Hwa remained committed to our regular online meetings. In these sessions, I witnessed his deep curiosity and enthusiasm for applying statistical reasoning to artificial intelligence. What impressed me most was his unwavering dedication to research, even while enduring significant discomfort due to his health.
Although his hospitalization interrupted our work, I believe Shaw-Hwa's remarkable strength and determination would see him through. I was in a state of disbelief when I first learned of his passing. His legacy and influence will continue to inspire many including me.
Inchi Hu
Although his hospitalization interrupted our work, I believe Shaw-Hwa's remarkable strength and determination would see him through. I was in a state of disbelief when I first learned of his passing. His legacy and influence will continue to inspire many including me.
Inchi Hu
November 2, 2025
I am so shocked by the news of Prof. Lo's sudden passing away. I had spent my entire time in Columbia working with him and Tian in his research group, in the years when there has not been much "big data" whilst we were already working on the millions of genetic epidemeology data and tackling the higher dimensional small sample problem. His research passion and dedication has always inspired me. In addition to research, he is also a good friend, almost like a father. I still remember vividly going to his home for his annual Thanksgiving dinner every year and one year I even baked a roasted Peking duck and he was very impressed. I will always cherish these fond memories and wish him rest in peace.
November 2, 2025
So sad to hear the passing of Professor Shaw-Hwa Lo. He was my academic brother at Berkeley and my role model. I heard so much about him from my professors when I was in graduate school in the 80's. Rest in peace, Shaw-Hwa.
November 2, 2025
Read about "Columbia Professor Shaw-Hwa Lo Honored for Using Statistics to Solve Societal Problems"
https://datascience.columbia.edu/news/2019/columbia-professor-shaw-hwa-lo-honored-for-using-statistics-to-solve-societal-problems
https://datascience.columbia.edu/news/2019/columbia-professor-shaw-hwa-lo-honored-for-using-statistics-to-solve-societal-problems
November 2, 2025
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Shaw-Hwa Lo. He was an exceptional statistician whose intellectual depth, creativity, and generosity of spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. I had the honor of hosting him as a distinguished speaker at the 2013 Rao Prize Conference, where his insightful presentation and thoughtful discussions inspired many. His contributions to statistical science and his mentorship of students and colleagues alike will be remembered with great respect and admiration. Professor Lo’s legacy will continue to influence and uplift our community for many years to come.
Runze
Runze
November 2, 2025
I am very saddened to hear this news. I had the privilege to study under Professor Lo for my PhD and he has been instrumental in my career from the very beginning. I remember fondly our long meetings on weekends in his office, - he was always available, very enthusiastic and very supportive about our work together. He was also very warm on a personal level, and our families met on numerous occasions, including the traditional Thanksgiving dinners. He really cared about his students both on the professional and personal level. I will miss him.
Iuliana Ionita-Laza
Iuliana Ionita-Laza
November 2, 2025
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Shaw-Hwa Lo. I had the privilege of taking his research course during my time at Columbia, and those experiences left a lasting impact on my academic journey. His profound knowledge, high standards, and commitment to mentoring young researchers shaped not only my approach to statistics and data science, but also my appreciation for thoughtful and rigorous scholarship. I am truly grateful for the time I was able to spend learning from him and for his encouragement during my early career. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of statisticians.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Hongtu
With heartfelt sympathy,
Hongtu
November 2, 2025
Very sorry and sad to hear this shocking news! Shaw-Hwa has been a long-time friend of mine lasting for nearly 40 years. I was actually his successor at Harvard (I joined Harvard Statistics in 1991 when Shaw-Hwa finished his terms there and moved to Columbia). Over the years he has been very kind to me and very helpful for my career. I feel truly sad to have lost a great friend.
Jun
Jun
November 2, 2025
Thank you very much, Prof. Lo, for your pioneering work that shaped the development of modern statistics.
Your contributions will remain a guiding light for the statistical community.
-- Hsin-Chou Yang
Institute of Statistical Science
Academia Sinica
Your contributions will remain a guiding light for the statistical community.
-- Hsin-Chou Yang
Institute of Statistical Science
Academia Sinica
November 1, 2025
It has been my great privilege to be mentored by Professor Lo, who is one of the kindest, most generous, and most genuine people I have ever met. He is wise in life, brilliant in research, yet always humble and down to earth.
I’ll never forget the many Saturday afternoons he spent with me, patiently discussing research and helping me think more deeply. He also brought us along to conferences and forums, showing us not just how to do research, but how to be part of a community.
Every Thanksgiving, he invites both former and current students to celebrate together — a gesture that means so much to those of us far from home, and one that will remain among my most heartfelt memories.
To me, he is not only a brilliant researcher and mentor, but a role model in how to live with integrity, curiosity, and kindness. I am endlessly grateful to have been his student. His warmth, wisdom, and generosity have left a lasting mark on all of us who’ve had the privilege to learn from him.
I’ll never forget the many Saturday afternoons he spent with me, patiently discussing research and helping me think more deeply. He also brought us along to conferences and forums, showing us not just how to do research, but how to be part of a community.
Every Thanksgiving, he invites both former and current students to celebrate together — a gesture that means so much to those of us far from home, and one that will remain among my most heartfelt memories.
To me, he is not only a brilliant researcher and mentor, but a role model in how to live with integrity, curiosity, and kindness. I am endlessly grateful to have been his student. His warmth, wisdom, and generosity have left a lasting mark on all of us who’ve had the privilege to learn from him.
November 1, 2025
Professor Lo was a visionary whose work in high-dimensional feature search and the development of the I-score transformed how we understand complex data. His brilliance, clarity, and mentorship deeply shaped my approach to research and learning.
It was a true honor to study under him. I remain grateful for his guidance and for the lasting inspiration he gave me to pursue knowledge with curiosity and integrity. He will be missed.
— Yiqiao Yin
It was a true honor to study under him. I remain grateful for his guidance and for the lasting inspiration he gave me to pursue knowledge with curiosity and integrity. He will be missed.
— Yiqiao Yin
November 1, 2025
Dear Prof. Lo,
Thank you for sharing your journey — from a mathematics undergraduate student to a distinguished statistician — a path that deeply resonates with me.
I am also grateful for your encouragement during my own transition from the College of Science at NCU at NYCU, when I was facing uncertainty and challenge.
I have learned so much from our conversations — not only about advancing research, but also about the spirit of mentorship and the importance of guiding the next generation.
You have always been an inspiring scholar and a kind mentor.
May you rest in peace, and may your family find comfort and strength in this difficult time.
With heartfelt respect,
Huei-Wen Teng
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
Thank you for sharing your journey — from a mathematics undergraduate student to a distinguished statistician — a path that deeply resonates with me.
I am also grateful for your encouragement during my own transition from the College of Science at NCU at NYCU, when I was facing uncertainty and challenge.
I have learned so much from our conversations — not only about advancing research, but also about the spirit of mentorship and the importance of guiding the next generation.
You have always been an inspiring scholar and a kind mentor.
May you rest in peace, and may your family find comfort and strength in this difficult time.
With heartfelt respect,
Huei-Wen Teng
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
October 31, 2025
Shaw-Hwa had been my college classmate from 1971 to 1975. I am so sorry to hear about his passing. Please accept my condolences. As a buddhist, I would like to pray for him: Namo Ksitigarbha bodishava (in Chinese 南無地藏王菩薩摩訶薩); wish him peace and comfort in his current spiritual state.
October 31, 2025
I knew Prof. Lo when I was a PhD student in Hong Kong. Prof. Lo and my supervisor Prof. Inchi Hu was collaborating at that time. Later, Prof. Lo hosted my visit to Columbia University during the 2009-2010 academic year.
On my first day of arrival to New York, Prof. Lo and Vicky welcomed me to stay in their apartment, which made me feel very warm and safe when I traveled to the US for the first time.
My short stay in Columbia University turned out to be very fruitful and defined my future academic career. I joined Prof. Lo's weekly group meeting and discussed with him from time to time. Once, Prof. Lo said to me, "How can you not have learnt categorial variables?" I felt quite ashamed and studied hard on the subject, which has become my most important tool in later genetic research.
I was deeply touched by the open-mindedness and kindness of Prof. Lo. My experiences in Columbia with Prof. Lo and Tian Zheng were crucial for my later career development. I'm deeply grateful for Prof. Lo's encouragement and guidance for me. I will always remember him.
On my first day of arrival to New York, Prof. Lo and Vicky welcomed me to stay in their apartment, which made me feel very warm and safe when I traveled to the US for the first time.
My short stay in Columbia University turned out to be very fruitful and defined my future academic career. I joined Prof. Lo's weekly group meeting and discussed with him from time to time. Once, Prof. Lo said to me, "How can you not have learnt categorial variables?" I felt quite ashamed and studied hard on the subject, which has become my most important tool in later genetic research.
I was deeply touched by the open-mindedness and kindness of Prof. Lo. My experiences in Columbia with Prof. Lo and Tian Zheng were crucial for my later career development. I'm deeply grateful for Prof. Lo's encouragement and guidance for me. I will always remember him.
October 31, 2025
I was fortunate to be one of Professor Lo’s students. Since our first meeting 28 years ago, I have always cherished our conversations, which have ranged effortlessly from research and teaching to politics, food, and the many enjoyable aspects of life. Professor Lo's passion of research and life was inspiring. Through his dedication to his students and his family, he showed me how to pursue excellence while embracing all the roles that give life meaning.
To me, Professor Lo was much more than a teacher; he was a mentor, collaborator, and dear friend. I learned so much from his wisdom about both research and life. His curiosity, generosity, and joy in discovery were contagious.
He welcomed me into his home many times for Thanksgiving dinners and treated my children as if they were his own grandchildren. Those gatherings remain some of my most treasured memories.
I feel deeply grateful to have known him, learned from him, worked with him on many projects, and shared so many moments of laughter and insight. His warmth, intellect, and humanity will always stay with me.
To me, Professor Lo was much more than a teacher; he was a mentor, collaborator, and dear friend. I learned so much from his wisdom about both research and life. His curiosity, generosity, and joy in discovery were contagious.
He welcomed me into his home many times for Thanksgiving dinners and treated my children as if they were his own grandchildren. Those gatherings remain some of my most treasured memories.
I feel deeply grateful to have known him, learned from him, worked with him on many projects, and shared so many moments of laughter and insight. His warmth, intellect, and humanity will always stay with me.
October 31, 2025
Dear Shaw-Hwa,
Thank you very much for your wisdom enlightening and generous guidance for us during these years!
We all miss you!
Henry Horn-Shing Lu
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Kaohsiung Medical University,
Taiwan
Thank you very much for your wisdom enlightening and generous guidance for us during these years!
We all miss you!
Henry Horn-Shing Lu
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Kaohsiung Medical University,
Taiwan
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