Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 5 – 7pm Coincidences can amaze us, affecting where we live and with whom. Diaconis will review early work of Freud and Jung, tell stories about hands-on investigation of psychics, and introduce a set of tools for thinking critically about some of the strange things that happen. Sometimes, a little skeptical thinking shows things are not so surprising after all. Persi Diaconis, the Mary V. Sunseri Professor of Statistics and Mathematics at Stanford University, is one of the world's most renowned mathematicians. He has made fundamental and dramatic contributions that extend far beyond mathematics. His unusual background as a professional magician prior to becoming a mathematician led to his fascination with the mathematical study of coincidences. Diaconis was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences. COST/RSVP: Free and open to the public. WHERE: Wilder Auditorium Knight Physics Building, Room 112 1320 Campo Sano Ave., Coral Gables FOR MORE INFORMATION: 305-284-2575 or www.as.miami.edu/diaconis ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT-ZAME LECTURE: The McKnight-Zame Distinguished Lecture Series in the Department of Mathematics is made possible by a generous donation from Dr. Jeffrey Fuqua, who received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Miami in 1972 under the direction of Professor James McKnight. This lecture series is named in honor of both Professor McKnight and Professor Alan Zame, who was a close mentor of Dr. Fuqua while he was a student at the University of Miami.