Helen Thompson

Helen Thompson is an Associate Professor of Statistics in the School of Mathematical Sciences at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), with a joint affiliation at the Centre for Data Science. Her work bridges statistical theory and real-world applications in health, environment, and social sciences through advanced modeling and machine learning techniques.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy, University of Glasgow
• BSc (Hons), University of Queensland
• Bachelor of Science, University of Queensland

Helen's research focuses on statistical modeling, particularly in Bayesian methods, spatial and spatio-temporal modeling, optimal experimental design, and copula modeling. Her expertise enables robust analysis of complex, high-dimensional datasets, with applications such as cancer survival modeling, air pollution exposure assessment, and early childhood developmental surveillance. She has led projects in collaboration with BHP, Queensland Health, and the Australian Cancer Atlas.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in Bayesian spatial modeling, model-robust experimental design, and the integration of machine learning for environmental and health data. These works often involve interdisciplinary teams and emphasize decision-making under uncertainty.

Professional Memberships:

• Royal Statistical Society
• Statistical Society of Australia
• Institute of Mathematical Statistics
• International Society for Bayesian Analysis

Helen has supervised multiple PhD and Master’s students, both as principal and associate supervisor, in areas including spatial statistics, clinical trial design, and machine learning. She has also secured competitive research funding, such as an Australian Competitive Grant for Bayesian methods in pharmaceutical development. Her teaching spans introductory statistics, mathematical modeling, and advanced applied statistics.

Research Centers:

• Centre for Data Science, QUT
• Mathematical Sciences Research, QUT