A Cass MSc student has scooped the prestigious 2016 SCOR UK Actuarial Prize for the best academic paper in the field of actuarial science.

This year's prize was awarded to Ree (Yongqing) Chen for her MSc dissertation Joint Mortality Modelling and Projection of six Subpopulations in the UK under a 2-tier Coherent Framework.

The SCOR Actuarial Prize, which is well recognised in the insurance industry, runs across six countries and is designed to promote actuarial science research and increase knowledge in the field.

Winning papers are selected for their innovative character, practical applicability, and the relevance of methods used. The judging panel is made up of insurance, reinsurance and financial professionals and academics.

Ree was invited to the SCOR Annual Chairman's Dinner at the historic Trinity House, London, to receive her prizes and grant of £3,000.  Yongqing was accompanied by her supervisor Dr Pietro Millossovich.

She said:

“I feel very honoured to be awarded the SCOR Actuarial Prize and would like to to thank my supervisor, Dr Millossovich, for his guidance and constructive feedback throughout the project. His attention to detail and passion for research is really inspiring. I would also like to thank my previous supervisors Ms Leonie Tickle and Dr Jacky Li for introducing me to this area of research.”

Dr Millossovich said:

“Ree has managed to complete an outstanding piece of work. I have been greatly impressed with her dedication, skills and intelligence. I think she fully deserves the prize.”

You can find out more about the MSc Actuarial Science programmes at Cass here.

L-R Chris Daykin,Chair of Judges; Valentin Erismann, P&C Prize Winner; Ree (Yongqing) Chen, Cass MSc student and Life Prize Winner, Denis Kessler, Chairman and CEO SCOR SE; Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP