Yuan-Fang Li is an Associate Professor in the Department of Data Science & AI at Monash University's Faculty of Information Technology. He also serves as Associate Dean International. His research focuses on knowledge graphs, natural language processing, multimodality, and graph representation learning. He holds a PhD from National University of Singapore (2006) and a Bachelor of Computing (Honours) from the same institution (2002). Affiliations: Monash University (since 201?), National University of Singapore (PhD 2002-2006) Key Projects: Leading research on neuro-symbolic systems (HARNESS project), large-scale multimodal knowledge management, and maritime knowledge graphs Teaching: Taught courses including FIT4002, FIT4004, and supervised over 20 PhD students Research interests include complex question answering over knowledge graphs, knowledge extraction from text/images, and structural/temporal graph learning. He has published 152+ works with notable contributions to scene graph generation, event extraction, and LLM-based reasoning. Key awards include the 2020 Best Student Paper Award and 2017 Kurzweil Prize. Grants: ARC Discovery Projects, industry collaborations (e.g., Outotec Oy) Labs/Teams: Active in Monash's Data Science & AI research groups, leading neuro-symbolic AI initiatives
Scott W. Linderman is an Assistant Professor of Statistics at Stanford University and a Faculty Scholar at the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute. He holds courtesy appointments in Computer Science and is affiliated with Stanford Bio-X and the Stanford AI Lab. His research focuses on developing probabilistic models and statistical methods to analyze neural data, bridging computational neuroscience and machine learning. Linderman earned his PhD in Computer Science from Harvard University, with postdoctoral training at Columbia University under Liam Paninski and David Blei. He previously worked as a software engineer at Microsoft and holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University. Research Interests : Machine learning, computational neuroscience, state space models, neural data analysis, and probabilistic modeling. His lab develops tools like the SSM and Dynamax packages, applying methods to problems such as neural decoding, behavioral tracking, and understanding latent neural dynamics. Awards : 2023 McKnight Scholar Award, 2022 Sloan Research Fellowship, Leonard J. Savage Award (2016). Linderman has advised over 20 PhD students and postdocs, contributing to breakthroughs in neuroscience and machine learning. His work includes collaborations with experimental neuroscientists like David Anderson and Sebastian Seung. Labs & Teams : Linderman Lab focuses on advancing statistical methods for neuroscience. Key projects include state space models (e.g., rSLDS, Gaussian Process SLDS) and behavioral analysis tools like Keypoint MoSeq. The lab emphasizes open-source software and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Nick Heard is a Professor and Chair in Statistics at the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London. His research focuses on computational Bayesian inference, clustering, and changepoint analysis applied to dynamic networks (e.g., computer networks, social networks) and bioinformatics. He leads the EPSRC-funded NeST project on Network Stochastic Processes and Time Series, collaborating with universities including Bristol, Oxford, and LSE. His work bridges statistical theory with applied problems in cyber-security and neuroscience. Research Interests - Modelling large dynamic networks - Changepoint analysis and anomaly detection - Statistical methods for cyber-security - Bayesian computation and inference - Spectral clustering and graph embeddings Grants & Collaborations - Co-leads the NeST project on Dynamic graph embeddings: procedures and inference - EPSRC Programme Grant (EP/T004870/1) supporting Network Stochastic Processes and Time Series research Software & Tools - Developed open-source packages for Bayesian changepoint analysis (e.g., changepoints ) - Code for p-value combination methods ( standardised_partial_product )
Lexin Li is a Professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, with additional affiliations at the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Program on Computational Precision Health, and the Center for the Theoretical Foundations of Learning, Inference, Information, Intelligence, Mathematics and Microeconomics at Berkeley (CLIMB). He received his BE in Electrical Engineering from Zhejiang University (1998) and PhD in Statistics from the University of Minnesota (2003), followed by postdoctoral training at UC Davis School of Medicine. He joined North Carolina State University as Assistant Professor in 2005, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2011, and served as visiting faculty at Stanford University and Yahoo Research Labs (2011-2013) before joining UC Berkeley as Associate Professor in 2014, where he was promoted to Full Professor in 2018. Dr. Li's research spans statistical methodology development for neuroimaging data analysis, tensor statistics, and machine learning applications to biomedical problems. His work focuses on brain connectivity and network analysis, imaging causal inference, tensor regression, dimension reduction, and statistical machine learning with applications to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders. His methodological innovations bridge theoretical statistics with practical neuroscience applications, particularly in multimodal neuroimaging analysis and brain network modeling. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trajectory in integrating deep learning with classical statistical inference, particularly in tensor analysis, functional data modeling, and causal inference. The research shows increasing sophistication in handling high-dimensional, complex neuroimaging data while developing rigorous statistical frameworks for inference. His work increasingly focuses on multimodal data integration and developing methods that can handle the complexity of real-world neurological data. Dr. Li has received numerous prestigious honors including being elected as a Fellow of the American Statistical Association (2017), Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (2021), Elected Member of the International Statistical Institute, and Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2024). Fellow, American Statistical Association (2017) Fellow, Institute of Mathematical Statistics (2021) Elected Member, International Statistical Institute Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2024) Editor-in-Chief, Annals of Applied Statistics (2025-2027) As an academic leader, Dr. Li serves as Co-Director of the Biostatistics Program (2019-) and Director of Graduate Admissions (2015-) at UC Berkeley. He is an active editor, currently serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Annals of Applied Statistics (2025-2027), and has held associate editor positions at multiple top statistical journals including the Journal of the American Statistical Association and Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics. He also serves as a Standing Member of the NIH Emerging Imaging Technologies in Neuroscience Study Section (2023-2027). His research has been supported by various NIH grants focused on statistical methodology for neuroimaging analysis. Dr. Li leads a vibrant research group focused on statistical neuroimaging and machine learning methodology, with strong connections to the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute and collaborations across multiple departments at UC Berkeley. His team develops innovative statistical methods that address real challenges in neuroscience research while maintaining rigorous theoretical foundations. The group maintains active collaborations with neuroscientists and clinicians working on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological conditions.
Jonathan Weare is a Professor of Mathematics at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. He holds affiliations with the Faculty of Arts and Science and the Graduate School of Arts and Science. His academic journey includes roles as an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago (2014–2019) and Assistant Professor (2011–2014), following postdoctoral work as a Courant Instructor at NYU. He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from UC Berkeley in 2007. His research focuses on stochastic algorithms and models, with applications in astrophysics, biophysics, computational chemistry, and climate science. Key areas include Monte Carlo methods, rare event simulation, and machine learning-driven scientific analysis. Collaborations with domain experts ensure his work addresses real-world challenges in diverse fields. Recent publications emphasize advancements in trajectory stratification, rare event prediction using machine learning, and efficient algorithms for high-dimensional problems. Notable contributions include the BAD-NEUS framework and AI-based solar system instability predictions. His group’s interdisciplinary approach bridges computational methods with scientific inquiry. Weare has advised numerous students and mentored postdocs, fostering talent in applied mathematics and computational science. His work on Mercury’s orbital dynamics and extreme weather prediction showcases the societal impact of his research. Current projects explore AI applications in weather modeling and rare event analysis, leveraging cutting-edge machine learning techniques. Labs/Teams: His research group at Courant develops stochastic algorithms and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in computational chemistry, climate science, and astrophysics. Key collaborations include the University of Chicago and Columbia University.
Dr. Kenneth Edwin Barker is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science within the Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary, where he also serves as Director of the Institute for Security, Privacy and Information Assurance (ISPIA). His academic career spans several decades with significant contributions to database systems and privacy research. Dr. Barker earned his B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Calgary in 1982 and 1984 respectively, followed by a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Alberta in 1990. His educational background established the foundation for his extensive research career in database systems and information security. His primary research interests focus on Privacy Preserving Data Repositories , with specific attention to protecting privacy in mobile applications, understanding privacy's impact on data analytics, and architecting database management systems that inherently respect user privacy. His work also extends to distributed database environments, integration of legacy systems, and multidatabase environments. Dr. Barker's research bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, making significant contributions to how privacy is implemented in real-world systems. An analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward practical privacy-preserving techniques for cloud data, social networks, and location-based services. His work consistently addresses the tension between data utility and privacy protection, developing innovative methods to maintain data value while safeguarding personal information. The publications span multiple subfields including encrypted search, graph privacy, high-dimensional data privacy, and privacy metrics. Best Paper Award at DBSec 2012 Best Paper Award at CODASPY 2012 Best Paper at BNCOD 2009 Dr. Barker has been instrumental in establishing privacy research infrastructure at the University of Calgary through his leadership of ISPIA. His research has attracted significant funding from various sources supporting privacy and security initiatives. While specific grant details aren't provided in the text, his extensive publication record indicates sustained research funding throughout his career. He has collaborated extensively with researchers both within and outside the University of Calgary, particularly with R. Alhajj and other colleagues on numerous projects. As Director of ISPIA, Dr. Barker oversees a research environment focused on advancing security and privacy technologies. The institute serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research, bringing together computer scientists, social scientists, and legal experts to address complex privacy challenges. His leadership has positioned the University of Calgary as a significant player in privacy research within Canada.
Andrea Collevecchio is a Professor in the School of Mathematics at Monash University, Australia, where he has been a faculty member since 2012. His research focuses on the intersection of Probability, Mathematical Physics, and Statistical Mechanics, with particular expertise in stochastic processes and theoretical modeling. He earned his PhD in Statistics from Purdue University in 2004, followed by postdoctoral positions in Italy and Germany. In 2006, he became Assistant Professor at Ca’Foscari University in Venice before joining Monash University. Collevecchio specializes in Reinforced Processes and Large Deviations, investigating complex systems through random walk models. His work bridges abstract probability theory with applications in statistical mechanics, examining phenomena like memory effects in stochastic processes and phase transitions in lattice systems. Recent research emphasizes hypercube structures, non-reversible dynamics, and reinforcement mechanisms. His 2021-2025 publications reveal a concentrated focus on hypercube random walks, with increasing exploration of non-reversible processes, vertex-reinforced dynamics, and bootstrap methods. These works consistently apply probabilistic frameworks to problems in mathematical physics, demonstrating strong connections between theoretical probability and physical modeling. Collevecchio has secured multiple research grants including ARC-funded projects on self-interacting random walks (2023-2026) and random walks with long memory (2018-2022). He contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives like the Smart Vehicles project for dementia support (2025-2027) and actively organizes academic events including the AIM Day series connecting mathematics, AI, and industry applications.
Kengo Deguchi is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Mathematics at Monash University. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, and turbulence phenomena. He leads and collaborates on ARC-funded projects exploring flow control via topography, vortex dynamics in complex flows, and mathematical descriptions of magneto-hydrodynamic turbulence. Notable awards include the 2018 Faculty of Science Research Excellence Award and Vice-Chancellor’s Early Career Excellence Award. Education: Doctorate in Fluid Dynamics (details not specified in text) His research interests emphasize nonlinear instabilities, vortex dynamics, and coherent structures in shear flows. Recent work investigates Taylor-Couette flow chaos, subcritical transitions, and MHD dynamos. Over 40 publications span topics like turbulence statistics, chaotic patterns, and fluid instabilities. Key projects include investigating vortex persistence in counter-rotating systems and developing mathematical frameworks for MHD turbulence. He has secured funding through ARC grants (2017-2026) and collaborates internationally with experts like Prof. Hall and Prof. Blackburn. Grants: $A 2.6M+ in ARC funding (2017-2026) Labs/Teams: Collaborative fluid dynamics research groups focused on experimental and computational turbulence studies
Matthew Marcus is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Geographic Information System Technology (GIST) program at the University of Arizona. His work focuses on environmental applications of GIS, particularly in tropical ecosystems such as Amazonian palm swamps. He investigates issues like peatland degradation, deforestation, carbon emissions, and sustainable resource management through mixed-methods and remote sensing approaches. His research spans global-to-local scales, combining ecological data analysis with policy-relevant insights. Dr. Marcus's contributions include developing automated time-series mapping techniques and spatial models to quantify land use changes. His recent publications emphasize the intersection of social-ecological systems and conservation strategies in the Peruvian Amazon. He is affiliated with the ENR2 Building, collaborating on projects that bridge GIS technology with environmental monitoring and policy. While no specific grants or advising roles are listed, his academic contributions reflect a commitment to advancing applied GIS solutions for environmental challenges. His work underscores the importance of integrating technical tools with socio-environmental research to address climate change and ecosystem preservation.
Refik Soyer is a Professor of Statistics at The George Washington University. His research focuses on Bayesian statistics, reliability modeling, decision analysis, and time series analysis. He has made significant contributions to the application of Bayesian methods in reliability engineering, queueing systems, and adversarial risk analysis. Education: D. Sc. in Statistics (1985), George Washington University His recent publications highlight advancements in Bayesian reliability analysis, adversarial decision frameworks, and computational methods for time series and queueing systems. Areas of emphasis include dynamic INAR processes, accelerated life testing, and software failure modeling. Soyer's work bridges theoretical statistics with practical applications in call centers, healthcare fraud detection, and risk management.
Mohsen Pourahmadi is a Professor in the Department of Statistics at Texas A&M University, part of the College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on developing methodologies for modeling covariance matrices in multivariate and time series data, with applications to financial analysis, longitudinal studies, neuroeconomics, and high-dimensional data. Key tools include graphical lasso algorithms, Cholesky decomposition, and Bayesian approaches. He emphasizes extending generalized linear models (GLM) to covariance matrix estimation, leveraging prediction theory and stochastic processes. Education details are not explicitly provided in the text. His work spans theoretical advancements in covariance estimation, such as sparse VAR models, nonstationary process analysis, and regularized multivariate regression. He has contributed to applications like detecting cyber attacks on infrastructure systems and analyzing breast cancer data through Bayesian networks. Research interests include time series graphical models, antedependence models for longitudinal data, and regularization techniques for high-dimensional covariance matrices. His recent work explores fused-lasso penalties, Bayesian correlation matrix estimation, and stationary subspace analysis. Pourahmadi has authored numerous articles on topics ranging from multivariate volatility modeling to nonparametric covariance estimation, emphasizing both computational efficiency and theoretical rigor.
Ruben Loaiza-Maya is an Associate Professor (Research) in the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics at Monash University. He holds a PhD in Econometrics from the University of Melbourne and an undergraduate degree in Economics from Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Medellin). His research focuses on Copula Modelling, Bayesian Estimation Methods, Time Series Analysis, and Macroeconomic/Financial Forecasting. Key contributions include advancements in variational inference, state space models, and robust forecasting techniques under model misspecification. He leads the active project 'Variational Inference for Intractable and Misspecified State Space Models' (2023–2026), funded as a Primary Chief Investigator. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through methodological advancements in economic and financial analysis. Recent research emphasizes scalable Bayesian methods, hybrid variational approaches, and efficient computational techniques for high-dimensional models. Publications span prestigious journals like the International Journal of Forecasting, Journal of Econometrics, and Journal of Business and Economic Statistics. Notable collaborations include studies on copula-based time series forecasting and robust approximate Bayesian computation. His work bridges theoretical econometrics with practical applications in risk management and macroeconomic policy.
Prof. Jalal Etesami is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Technical University of Munich (TUM), leading the Decision Sciences & Systems group. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at EPFL in Switzerland. His research focuses on machine learning, causal inference, multi-agent systems, and game theory, with applications to systemic risk modeling and market design. He teaches advanced courses such as Causal Inference in Time Series , Algorithmic Game Theory , and Optimization, Learning, and Market Design . Notable contributions include work on causal structure learning, stochastic optimization, and non-Gaussian causal models. Recent research explores causal effect identification under confounding, neural networks for market analysis, and optimal experiment design. Prof. Etesami’s work appears in top venues like NeurIPS, AAAI, and IEEE journals. He actively contributes to the academic community, organizing seminars and workshops on topics ranging from causal reasoning to computational social choice.
Dr. Terry Bunn is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology & Environmental Health at the University of Kentucky's College of Public Health, serving as Director of the Kentucky Injury Prevention & Research Center (KIPRC) since 2010. She holds a PhD in Philosophy from Cornell University (2001) and a BS from the same institution (1990). Her research focuses on occupational injury prevention, drug overdose mitigation, and substance use disorder interventions. Key projects include NIOSH-funded occupational safety surveillance and CDC-funded overdose data initiatives. Education: PhD in Philosophy, Cornell University, 2001 BS in ..., Cornell University, 1990 Research: Dr. Bunn's work addresses occupational hazards (e.g., dump truck injuries), overdose prevention strategies, and recovery housing efficacy. She leads multidisciplinary teams national and state collaborations including the NIOSH Board of Scientific Counselors and CDC's Overdose Data to Action Program. Awards: University Research Professor (2016) Jess Kraus Award (2018) Members Recognition (2013) Grants & Leadership: Principal Investigator for Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Surveillance (KOSHS), Co-PI for Overdose Data to Action, and leads the Rural Center of Excellence in Recovery Housing. Her 67+ peer-reviewed publications span injury prevention and substance use research. Labs/Teams: Directs KIPRC and collaborates with agencies like CSTE occupational health workgroup and SouthON.
Clément FERNANDES is a Lecturer at Telecom SudParis, part of the SAMOVAR laboratory under Institut Polytechnique de Paris. His research focuses on statistical modeling and unsupervised learning techniques, particularly applying hidden Markov chains to data and image segmentation. He holds a PhD in Discrete Mathematics from Institut Polytechnique de Paris (2022), where his thesis explored Triplet Markov Chains in image segmentation. His recent work includes advancing non-stationary data segmentation methods and developing forecasting models using Gaussian Markov frameworks. Though no explicit grants or awards are mentioned, his publications reflect contributions to approximate reasoning and applied statistics in engineering contexts. He is affiliated with the SAMOVAR laboratory and maintains an active publication record in top-tier journals like International Journal of Approximate Reasoning .
