09/22/2025
On Friday, September 12, the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at Simon Fraser University (SFU) came together to celebrate the remarkable career and retirement of Professor Yi Lu. The reception was filled with warmth, gratitude, and heartfelt stories, reflecting the deep impact Professor Lu has had on her students, colleagues, and the field of actuarial science.
The event began with a thoughtful speech from Professor Tim Swartz, who shared heartfelt stories and recalled memorable interactions with Professor Lu. Professors Derek Bingham, Joan Hu, and Barbara Sanders also shared their reflections, each highlighted Professor Lu’s many contributions to the department and her role in shaping the actuarial program at SFU and emphasizing Yi’s dedication to research, mentorship, and building a supportive academic community.
Adding to the evening’s celebration was a recorded message from Professor Lu’s PhD advisor, Professor José Garrido from Concordia University.
Perhaps the most touching moments came from Professor Lu’s former students. Many shared heartfelt video messages and gave speeches expressing their gratitude for her mentorship, guidance, and encouragement throughout their studies.
The event was organized with great care by Professor Tim Swartz, whose efforts ensured that the celebration was both meaningful and memorable. Heartfelt thanks to Anna, Caitlin, and Charlene for their excellent work in organizing and helping with the setup.
Yi Lu's Biography:
Professor Yi Lu is a Full Professor in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at Simon Fraser University, where she has been a faculty member since 2005 and was promoted to Full Professor in 2018. She earned her B.Sc. in Mathematics from Fudan University in 1982, followed by an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Mathematics from Concordia University under the supervision of Professor José Garrido. Before joining SFU, she taught for nearly two decades at Guangdong University of Technology in China, rising from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor. Her research focuses on actuarial science, applied probability, and stochastic modeling, contributing to a deeper understanding of ruin theory and risk processes with periodic structures. In addition to her research, Professor Lu has been a dedicated educator and mentor, helping to shape SFU’s actuarial science program and guiding many graduate students who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry.
