  There have been extensive developments recently in modern nonparametric
inference and modeling. Nonparametric and semi-parametric methods are
especially useful with large amounts of data that are now routinely collected
in many areas of science. Probability and stochastic modeling are also playing
major new roles in scientific applications. This refereed special volume
highlights challenges and developments at this interface of statistics,
probability and the sciences, and honors Michael B. Woodroofe for his
pioneering contributions to nonparametric inference and probability.
