The QUT Centre for Data Science is celebrating its graduates. Meet Wala Draidi who just celebrated her graduation with a PhD!
What was your PhD in?
My PhD focused on integrating machine learning with Bayesian statistics, applied to a case study on children’s health development. My research aimed to identify areas where children were most vulnerable in terms of their development. Studying children’s health is important because early identification of developmental vulnerabilities can lead to timely interventions, which are important for improving long-term outcomes. Over three years, I was able to publish five journal articles in high-ranked journals based on my PhD research.
How did you come to do a PhD on this? Did things change along the way?
My journey to a PhD started with my love for mathematics, which I studied at Al-Najah University in Palestine, where I also completed my master’s degree. I’ve always been passionate about making pure mathematics more practical and accessible to others. That’s when I had the incredible fortune of meeting Professor Kerrie Mengersen, who became my PhD supervisor. Working under her guidance has been a dream come true. Things changed along the way. When I started, I had a clear idea of where I wanted to go, but as I dug deeper into the research, new questions and opportunities emerged that I hadn’t anticipated. This led me down paths I never expected to explore, and that’s what makes research so exciting. The journey evolved in ways I couldn’t have predicted, which kept me engaged and constantly learning.
How was your PhD journey? Any surprises?
My PhD journey was full of learning and growth. I started with little knowledge of spatial modeling and R coding, but I took advantage of various courses offered by QUT and attended workshops provided by the Centre to improve my skills. By the end of the journey, I had developed strong programming skills in languages like R and Python, and I became proficient in creating visualizations using Shiny apps and GIS. The progress I made was one of the biggest surprises and a highlight of my PhD experience.
Did you anything else at QUT besides your PhD?
I was involved in quite a bit at QUT beyond my PhD. My husband and I both started our PhDs at the same time, which was a challenging but rewarding experience, especially with a young child. Balancing family life with academic responsibilities was tough, but I’m incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of my husband and child—they were my rock throughout this journey. In addition to my PhD work, I took on roles as a tutor at both UQ and QUT, teaching several courses in math and statistics. This not only honed my teaching skills but also deepened my understanding of the subjects. I also worked as a research assistant on other projects, which broadened my research experience. Collaborating with others was a highlight of my PhD journey. These collaborations led to one publication in a high-ranked journal, with two more papers currently under revision. I’m especially excited about my ongoing collaboration with the UQ team, which we hope will result in another impactful publication. The journey was demanding, but the support from my family and the opportunities to engage in such diverse activities made it an incredibly fulfilling experience.
How was your experience with the Data Science Centre?
My experience with the Data Science Centre was nothing short of transformative. Being part of such a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment pushed me to grow in ways I never anticipated. The Centre was more than just a place to develop my skills in data science – it was a community of passionate, brilliant minds who were always eager to share their knowledge and offer support. I also had the chance to build meaningful friendships with people who were just as excited about data science as I was. Looking back, I realise how much I’ve evolved both as a researcher and as a person. The encouragement and support I received at the Centre played a major role in my accomplishments, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. The connections I made and the skills I developed there are something I’ll carry with me throughout my career.
What’s next – or what are you doing now?
Currently, I’m a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Queensland, building on the skills I gained during my PhD. My work involves modeling spatial-temporal analysis for health data, which allows me to apply my expertise to real-world health issues. I’m excited about this role because it deepens my understanding of health data and lets me contribute to impactful public health research. I’m looking forward to continuing my research, collaborating with experts, and making a meaningful contribution to public health.
Congratulations, Wala!
congratulations Wala, well deserved 👏