Dr. Rayens is a Full Professor in the Department of Statistics and the Director of Undergraduate Studies.  His research focuses on exploratory structure-seeking methodologies (e.g. partial least squares, discriminant analysis, PARAFAC models). He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Chemometrics. 

Current research projects include the use of "oriented" partial least squares (OrPLS) to do focused dimension reduction for the purpose of discrimination, and the impact of multiple constraint strategies on PLS and PLS-type methodologies.  Rayens is also involved in a significant NSF-sponsored project known as Newton's Universe that is aimed at assessing how distance learning for teachers can better enable inquiry science in rural classrooms. 

Dr. Rayens teaches a variety of courses, including graduate service courses in regression, sampling, and applied multivariate analysis, as well as core graduate courses in multivariate analysis and theoretical linear models.  Rayens also routinely teaches in the Department's introductory, conceptual course in statistics, required of students as part of University Studies,.  He developed and typically teaches "A Scientific Approach to Uncertainty" in the Honors Program, where he serves as the coordinator for the social sciences track. 

All of Professor Rayens' courses are facilitated on-line through Blackboard.  Extensive notes, powerpoint slides, homeworks and discovery exercises, etc. are available there for registered students.  Colleagues who are interested in these resources should contact Dr. Rayens directly.