Students/post-docs
Current students and post-docs

Mohamed Abba, PhD student
Research interests: Bayesian statistics and deep learning.
Research interests: Bayesian statistics and deep learning.

Research interests: Geostatistics, Bayesian inference, Extremal processes, Climate applications, High performance computing

Research interests: I am interested in developing new Bayesian methods, particularly related to setting prior distributions on measures of model fit. I am also interested in inferential tasks for networks including hypothesis testing for meso-scale structures.
Shih-Ni Prim, PhD Student
Research interests: Bayesian statistics and probabilistic machine learning.

Research interests: My research focuses on spatial data analysis for extreme values. I am currently working on applying a divide-and-conquer approach to a spatial extremes model to achieve better computational efficiency. I am also interested in deep learning and other computational methods for analyzing big data.

Research interests: I am currently working on developing spatial causal inference models with their applications to environmental science. I am also interested in Bayesian methodologies and machine learning.
Alvin Sheng, PhD Student
Research interests: Bayesian inference, functional data analysis, and environmental health applications.
Nate Wiecha, PhD Student
Research interests: I am interested in spatial statistics and causal inference, and their intersection and use for epidemiology- and public health-related studies. I am also interested in machine learning and its usefulness for those applications.
Hongjian Yang, PhD Student
Research interests: spatial and temporal methods, data fusion, air pollution research
Matt Shisler, PhD Student
Research interests: machine learning, statistical computation, spatiotemporal methods
Brandon Feng, PhD Student
Research interests: Biostatistics, large datasets, spatial methods
FORMER STUDENTS/POST-DOCS

Parker Trostle, PhD, 2022
Thesis title: Bayesian Methodologies for the Spatial Spread of Disease
Thesis title: Bayesian Methodologies for the Spatial Spread of Disease
Current position: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Laura Wendelberger, PhD, 2022
Thesis title: Robust Statistical Methods for Model Selection and Land Cover Change Monitoring
Thesis title: Robust Statistical Methods for Model Selection and Land Cover Change Monitoring
Current position: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Matt Miller, PhD, 2022
Thesis title: Bayesian Methods for Large Spatial Data Sets with Materials and Environmental Science Applications
Thesis title: Bayesian Methods for Large Spatial Data Sets with Materials and Environmental Science Applications
Current position: Google

Andrew Giffin, PhD, 2022
Thesis title: Methods for Causal Inference on Spatial Data with Environmental and Public Health Applications
Thesis title: Methods for Causal Inference on Spatial Data with Environmental and Public Health Applications
Current position: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Steven Xu, PhD, 2022
Thesis title: Advances in Semiparametric Quantile Regression
Thesis title: Advances in Semiparametric Quantile Regression
Current position: DoorDash

Wenlong Gong, 2019-2021
Current position: University of Houston
Current position: University of Houston

Can Cui, PhD, 2021
Thesis title: Advanced Methods in Bayesian Variable Selection and Causal Inference
Thesis title: Advanced Methods in Bayesian Variable Selection and Causal Inference
Current position: Eli Lilly

Dave Huberman, PhD, 2020
Thesis title: Advances In Spatial Statistics For Ecological and Environmental Data
Current position: Palo Alto VA Medical Center

Maggie Mao, Post-doc, 2019-2020
Current position: eBay
Current position: eBay

Vianey Leos Barajas, Post-doc, 2019-2020
Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Toronto

Suman Majumder, PhD, 2020
Thesis title: Spatiotemporal Inference and Applications for Large Datasets
Thesis title: Spatiotemporal Inference and Applications for Large Datasets
Current position: Post-doc, Harvard

Yuan Tian, PhD, 2020
Thesis title: Bayesian Semi-parametric Models in Extreme Value Analysis
Thesis title: Bayesian Semi-parametric Models in Extreme Value Analysis
Current position: Novartis

Qian Guan, PhD, 2019
Thesis title: Bayesian Methods for Optimal Treatment Allocation and Causal Inference
Thesis title: Bayesian Methods for Optimal Treatment Allocation and Causal Inference
Current position: Facebook

Yawen Guan, Post-doc, 2017-2019
Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska.
Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska.

Arnab Hazra, PhD, 2019
Thesis title: Spatiotemporal Modeling with Biomedical and Environmental Applications
Thesis title: Spatiotemporal Modeling with Biomedical and Environmental Applications
Current position: Post-doc, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

An-Ting Jhuang, PhD, 2019
Thesis title: Spatial Signal Detection Using Continuous Shrinkage Priors
Thesis title: Spatial Signal Detection Using Continuous Shrinkage Priors
Current position: United Health Group

Rui Li, PhD, 2019
Thesis title: Machine Learning Methods for Uncertainty Estimation and Decision Making
Thesis title: Machine Learning Methods for Uncertainty Estimation and Decision Making
Current position: Facebook

Haoyu Wang, PhD, 2019
Thesis title: Advances and applications of nonparametric statistics
Thesis title: Advances and applications of nonparametric statistics
Current position: SAS

Munir Winkel, PhD, 2018
Thesis title: New Applications of Sequential Experimental Design
Thesis title: New Applications of Sequential Experimental Design
Current position: Post-doc, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute

Zhou Lan, PhD 2019
Thesis title: Spatial Modeling of Positive Definite Matrices and Its Applications to Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Thesis title: Spatial Modeling of Positive Definite Matrices and Its Applications to Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Current position: Senior statistician, Yale

Alexandra Larsen, PhD 2018
Thesis title: Spatial Methods for Quantifying the Impact of Wildfire Smoke on Air Quality in the U.S.
Thesis title: Spatial Methods for Quantifying the Impact of Wildfire Smoke on Air Quality in the U.S.
Current position: Statistician, Environmental Protection Agency

Indranil Sahoo, PhD 2018
Thesis title : Spatiotemporal Models for Physical Processes
Current position: Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
Thesis title : Spatiotemporal Models for Physical Processes
Current position: Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University

Maggie Johnson, Post-doc, 2017-2019
Current position: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Current position: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Susheela Singh, PhD 2018
Thesis title : Bayesian Methods for Nonlinear and Discrete Data with Complex Dependence
Thesis title : Bayesian Methods for Nonlinear and Discrete Data with Complex Dependence
Current position: YouTube

Neal Grantham, PhD, 2017
Thesis title : Statistical Methods for High-Dimensional Microbiome Data from Next Generation Sequencing Technology
Current position: Apple
Thesis title : Statistical Methods for High-Dimensional Microbiome Data from Next Generation Sequencing Technology
Current position: Apple

Ran (Jennifer) Wei, PhD, 2017
Thesis title : Bayesian variable selection using continuous shrinkage priors for nonparametric models and non-Gaussian data
Current position: Eli Lilly
Thesis title : Bayesian variable selection using continuous shrinkage priors for nonparametric models and non-Gaussian data
Current position: Eli Lilly

Yen-Ning Huang, Post-doc, 2015-2017
Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Indiana
Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Indiana

Colin Peterson, PhD, 2016
Thesis title : Mean-Dependent Spatial Prediction Methods with Applications to Materials Sciences
Current position: Statistician, Environmental Protection Agency
Thesis title : Mean-Dependent Spatial Prediction Methods with Applications to Materials Sciences
Current position: Statistician, Environmental Protection Agency

Samuel Morris, PhD, 2016
Thesis title : Spatial Methods for Modeling Extreme and Rare Events
Current position: Google
Thesis title : Spatial Methods for Modeling Extreme and Rare Events
Current position: Google

Yan (Dora) Zhang, PhD, 2016
Thesis title : Bayesian Methods for High-dimensional Data
Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Hong Kong
Thesis title : Bayesian Methods for High-dimensional Data
Current position: Assistant Professor, University of Hong Kong

Deidra Coleman, PhD 2015
Thesis title: Advances in Significance Testing for Cluster Detection
Current position: Assistant Professor, Philander Smith College
Thesis title: Advances in Significance Testing for Cluster Detection
Current position: Assistant Professor, Philander Smith College

Alfredo Farjat, PhD, 2015
Thesis title : Optimal Seed Deployment under Climate Change using Spatial Models and Prediction of Genetic Merit in Loblolly Pine
Current position: Biostatistician, Duke University
Thesis title : Optimal Seed Deployment under Climate Change using Spatial Models and Prediction of Genetic Merit in Loblolly Pine
Current position: Biostatistician, Duke University

Ryan Parker, PhD, 2015
Thesis title : Efficient Computational Methods for Large Spatial Data
Current position: JMP, Portland Trail Blazers
Thesis title : Efficient Computational Methods for Large Spatial Data
Current position: JMP, Portland Trail Blazers

Earvin Balderama, Post-doc, 2014-2015
Current position: Assistant Professor, Fresno State University
Current position: Assistant Professor, Fresno State University

Ander Wilson, PhD, 2014
Thesis title : Advances in Bayesian Methods for High-Dimensional Environmental Data
Current position: Assistant Professor, Colorado State University
Thesis title : Advances in Bayesian Methods for High-Dimensional Environmental Data
Current position: Assistant Professor, Colorado State University

Luke Smith, PhD, 2014
Thesis title : Bayesian Quantile Regression in Biostatistical Applications
Current position: Amazon
Thesis title : Bayesian Quantile Regression in Biostatistical Applications
Current position: Amazon

Laura Boehm Vock, PhD, 2013
Thesis title : Bridge Models and Variable Selection Methods for Spatial Data
Current position: Assistant Professor, Gustavus Adolphus College
Thesis title : Bridge Models and Variable Selection Methods for Spatial Data
Current position: Assistant Professor, Gustavus Adolphus College