Building connections in risk research: Purdue hosts Midwest actuarial seminars
03-18-2026
On a late winter day, a growing network of actuarial scientists gathered at Purdue University with a shared goal: to strengthen connections, spark new ideas and shape the future of risk research.
The Purdue Actuarial Science Program hosted the second Midwest Actuarial Research Seminars (MARS) on Feb. 28, 2026, bringing together scholars and students from across the Midwest to exchange ideas and foster collaboration in actuarial science and risk management.
Launched by Purdue in 2024, MARS was designed to strengthen the region’s actuarial research community. While programs across the Midwest are highly active, many operate with relatively small faculty groups, making it difficult for individual institutions to attract prominent international visitors for seminars and extended research engagement.
MARS addresses that challenge by convening multiple institutions to create a critical mass of researchers. This collaborative approach makes participation more attractive for leading scholars while opening the door to deeper academic exchange across universities. The goal is to encourage new research partnerships and advance impactful scholarship in actuarial science and related fields.
For the 2026 seminar, Purdue welcomed Professor Jan Dhaene of KU Leuven as the keynote speaker. Dhaene is widely recognized for his contributions to modeling dependencies in insurance portfolios, risk management for financial institutions, integrating financial and actuarial models, and decentralized risk sharing. His keynote lecture drew strong engagement and discussion from attendees.
More than 50 researchers and students participated in this year’s event, reflecting growing interest in building a more connected and vibrant actuarial research community in the Midwest.
The Purdue Actuarial Science Program continues to invest in opportunities that bring together scholars, students and industry partners. Initiatives like MARS support collaboration, promote new ideas and contribute to the long-term advancement of the actuarial profession.
The program also acknowledged the support of Lincoln Financial Group, a long-standing industry partner. Their financial contribution helped make the event possible and highlights the close connection between academic research and professional practice in actuarial science.
About Purdue Actuarial Science
Purdue University’s Actuarial Science Program, jointly coordinated by the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Statistics, is nationally recognized for excellence in actuarial education, research, and fostering strong connections between academia and industry. Offered at both the West Lafayette and Indianapolis locations, with more than 300 students, the program offers a rigorous curriculum covering all Society of Actuaries preliminary exams while integrating data science, artificial intelligence, and business analytics. Purdue is designated a Center of Actuarial Excellence (CAE) by the Society of Actuaries and ranked #1 in the nation by CollegeChoice.net.
Learn more at www.science.purdue.edu/actuarial-science
Written by: Alisha Willett, Communications Specialist, amwillet@purdue.edu
Contributors: Jianxi Su, jianxi@purdue.edu